# Dentist CPD requirements: California (USA)

> Dentists in California (USA): 50 CE units per two-year renewal period (one unit typically equals one hour), including mandatory courses.

Source: https://hajto.de/en/tools/cpd-requirements-by-country/california  
Last updated: 2026-10-17T16:10:26Z  
German version: https://hajto.de/fortbildungspflicht/california.md

- **Authority:** Dental Board of California
- **Applies to:** Licensed dentists
- **As of:** 17 October 2026

## Requirement

50 CE units per two-year renewal period (one unit typically equals one hour), including mandatory courses

> "Courses must be taken within the most recent 2–year license or permit renewal period."  
> Source: [Continuing Education Requirements for Renewal of a License or Permit (dentists)](https://www.dbc.ca.gov/licensees/dentist_continuing_education.shtml), Dental Board of California, read on 17 October 2026

> "Typically, one CE unit equals one hour of instruction."  
> Source: [Continuing Education Requirements for Renewal of a License or Permit (dentists)](https://www.dbc.ca.gov/licensees/dentist_continuing_education.shtml), Dental Board of California, read on 17 October 2026

> "The total CE units required for renewal are: License or Permit Type Units Dentist 50"  
> Source: [Continuing Education Requirements for Renewal of a License or Permit (dentists)](https://www.dbc.ca.gov/licensees/dentist_continuing_education.shtml), Dental Board of California, read on 17 October 2026

## Period / cycle

Personal two-year licence renewal period (date on your licence).

> "Courses must be taken within the most recent 2–year license or permit renewal period."  
> Source: [Continuing Education Requirements for Renewal of a License or Permit (dentists)](https://www.dbc.ca.gov/licensees/dentist_continuing_education.shtml), Dental Board of California, read on 17 October 2026

## Details

Mandatory courses: infection control (2 units), California Dental Practice Act (2 units), Basic Life Support (mandatory; at most 4 units count; in-person skills session), prescribing Schedule II opioids (2 units). At most 8 units per day, at most 50% non-live or correspondence courses.

> "A two–unit, Board–approved Infection Control course."  
> Source: [Continuing Education Requirements for Renewal of a License or Permit (dentists)](https://www.dbc.ca.gov/licensees/dentist_continuing_education.shtml), Dental Board of California, read on 17 October 2026

> "A maximum of four units of a course in Basic Life Support (BLS)."  
> Source: [Continuing Education Requirements for Renewal of a License or Permit (dentists)](https://www.dbc.ca.gov/licensees/dentist_continuing_education.shtml), Dental Board of California, read on 17 October 2026

> "A two–unit, Board–approved course on Responsibilities and Requirements of Prescribing Schedule II Opioid Drugs."  
> Source: [Continuing Education Requirements for Renewal of a License or Permit (dentists)](https://www.dbc.ca.gov/licensees/dentist_continuing_education.shtml), Dental Board of California, read on 17 October 2026

> "No more than 8 units per day can be applied to the total unit requirement."  
> Source: [Continuing Education Requirements for Renewal of a License or Permit (dentists)](https://www.dbc.ca.gov/licensees/dentist_continuing_education.shtml), Dental Board of California, read on 17 October 2026

> "No more than 50% of the total required units may be taken as non–live or correspondence courses."  
> Source: [Continuing Education Requirements for Renewal of a License or Permit (dentists)](https://www.dbc.ca.gov/licensees/dentist_continuing_education.shtml), Dental Board of California, read on 17 October 2026

> "Courses that are online only will not be accepted for the BLS requirement."  
> Source: [Continuing Education Requirements for Renewal of a License or Permit (dentists)](https://www.dbc.ca.gov/licensees/dentist_continuing_education.shtml), Dental Board of California, read on 17 October 2026

## If the requirement is not met

If an audit finds missing units, enforcement action such as a citation and fine may follow.

> "An enforcement action may include a citation and fine."  
> Source: [Continuing Education Requirements for Renewal of a License or Permit (dentists)](https://www.dbc.ca.gov/licensees/dentist_continuing_education.shtml), Dental Board of California, read on 17 October 2026

## Official sources

- [Continuing Education Requirements for Renewal of a License or Permit (dentists)](https://www.dbc.ca.gov/licensees/dentist_continuing_education.shtml), Dental Board of California

[CPD requirements for dentists by country](https://hajto.de/en/tools/cpd-requirements-by-country.md) · Not legal advice — the competent chamber or authority prevails.