Washington CE Requirements

Dentists

Licensed Washington dentists must complete 63 hours of continuing education every three years.

For Dentists Licensed Before 2019: Verification of completion of CE hours was due on the dentist’s annual license renewal date in 2022, and every three years thereafter.
For Dentists Licensed 2019 or Later: The three-year CE reporting period begins upon date of licensure and is due every three years thereafter.

Hygienists

Licensed Washington dental hygienists must complete 15 hours of continuing education per year.

Additional CE Requirements

PNDC 2026 offers CE sessions to meet several more specific continuing education requirements for Washington dentists, hygienists, and other members of the dental team.

CE Requirement: Health Equity

Licensed Washington dentists and dental anesthesia assistants must complete two hours of health equity CE every three years. Licensed Washington dental hygienists must complete two hours of health equity CE every four years. For dentists and hygienists, the two hours can count toward the 63- and 15-hour renewal requirements, respectively. For dental anesthesia assistants, the two hours must be completed in addition to the 12 hours currently required for renewal, raising the total number of required CE hours to 14.

PNDC 2026 Sessions Eligible Toward Requirement:

Thursday, 1.5 CE Credits - Becoming A Special Needs Warrior: Equipping Yourself to Treat Patients With Special Needs - Part 1 (Dent)
Thursday, 1.5 CE Credits - Becoming A Special Needs Warrior: Equipping Yourself to Treat Patients With Special Needs - Part 2 (Dent)
Thursday, 1.5 CE Credits - Inclusive Dentistry: Building a Team & Practice for Neurodiversity (Dent)
Thursday, 1.5 CE Credits - Understanding Autism: A Dual Perspective (Dent)

CE Requirement: Basic Life Support (BLS)

Dental staff providing direct patient care in an in-office or outpatient setting must hold a current and valid healthcare provider basic life support (BLS) certification. Training must include both didactic and hand-on components. Certification is good for two years.

PNDC 2026 Sessions Eligible Toward Requirement:

Thursday, 3 CE Credits - Basic Life Support Training for Healthcare Providers | Hands-On Workshop ($95) (Cole)
Friday, 3 CE Credits - Basic Life Support Training for Healthcare Providers | Hands-On Workshop ($95) (Cole)

CE Requirement: DEA MATE Act

Prescribers of controlled substances, including dentists, must complete eight hours of one-time training on safely prescribing controlled substances (Schedules II, III, IV, and/or V) in order to receive or renew their registration with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

PNDC 2026 Sessions Eligible Toward Requirement:

Friday, 2 CE Credits - "Hurts So...Swell!" Dental Pain Management For the Entire Dental Team - Part 1 (Viola)
Friday, 2 CE Credits - "Hurts So...Swell!" Dental Pain Management For the Entire Dental Team - Part 2 (Viola)
Saturday, 2 CE Credits - "Hurts So...Swell!" Dental Pain Management For the Entire Dental Team - Part 1 (Viola)
Saturday, 2 CE Credits - "Hurts So...Swell!" Dental Pain Management For the Entire Dental Team - Part 2 (Viola)