Do retired dentists and hygienists have to take continuing education?
The rule requiring continuing education of all licensees requires all licensed dentists and hygienists to take CE courses. If you have a license, you must complete the required number of hours. The only exception to this is for those dentists who have reached an advanced age and are retired or semi-retired and are exempted from CE by the Board. Only those individuals who request exemption and receive a Board letter indicating that they are exempt from the CE requirement are legally exempt. The Board defines a “retired dentist” as one who never practices; and a “semi-retired, level I” dentist as one who practices 250 hours a year or less. A “semi-retired, level II” dentist may practice up to 1000 hours per year, but is responsible for half (7.5 hours) of the required CE hours. Both levels of semi-retired dentists require current CPR.
