As we navigate through 2026, several significant changes to continuing education requirements have taken effect across multiple states. If you're feeling a bit overwhelmed trying to track what's different this year, you're not alone. I've been fielding questions from colleagues about everything from Maryland's infection control updates to the new ADA CERP standards, so let me break down what you actually need to know.
The landscape of dental CE is evolving, and staying compliant isn't just about meeting hour requirements anymore—it's about understanding how these changes affect your practice operations and patient care standards.
Maryland made one of the most notable changes this year, increasing infection control course requirements from 2 to 3 hours for both dentists and hygienists. This affects the current 2-year CE cycle running from July 1 through June 30 of your renewal year.
Here's what's practical about this change: if you're renewing by June 30, 2026, you can use CE completed from January 1, 2024, through June 30, 2026. The Maryland State Board is even allowing previously completed 2-hour infection control courses to count toward this requirement during the transition period.
Action item: Maryland practitioners should verify they have the additional infection control hour documented. The total 30-hour requirement stays the same—you're essentially trading one general CE hour for the extra infection control hour.
The American Dental Association revised its Continuing Education Recognition Program (CERP) standards significantly in 2024, and these changes take effect June 1, 2026. This is bigger than it might initially seem.
The standards dropped from 14 standards with 104 criteria down to just 5 standards with 17 criteria. This streamlining gives CE providers much more flexibility in proving they deliver effective continuing education.
What does this mean for you? More options. The revised standards focus on measuring CE impact on knowledge, skills, and practice outcomes rather than rigid administrative requirements. Current CERP providers remain compliant until the June 1, 2026 transition date.
Why this matters: You'll likely see more innovative CE delivery methods and potentially better integration of technology-focused training as providers adapt to these more flexible standards.
California implemented significant changes to dental assisting scope of practice effective July 1, 2025, with ongoing implications for 2026 CE planning.
Key changes include:
If you're a California practitioner working with expanded-function assistants, you'll need to ensure your team's CE aligns with these new scope parameters.
Minnesota began rulemaking in October 2024 to eliminate the Dental Assistant State Licensure Exam while simultaneously adding CE requirements for qualified dental assistants with limited radiology registration.
This represents a shift toward competency-based continuing education rather than one-time examination for certain assistant functions. Minnesota practitioners should stay tuned for final rule implementation affecting their team training requirements.
Beyond individual compliance, these regulatory shifts reflect broader trends in how we think about professional development and practice standards. Speaking of staying current, modern practices are finding that compliance extends well beyond clinical competency—it includes everything from updated patient communication standards to HIPAA-compliant digital processes.
For instance, while CE credits teach us to adopt new materials and techniques, tools like Intake.Dental help practices adopt new patient experience standards that align with contemporary compliance expectations.
Here's a quick reference for some key state requirements heading into 2026:
Arizona: 63 hours triennial with up to 21 hours of live CE required, capping self-study options
California: 50 units for dentists over 2 years, plus mandatory courses like BLS (up to 4 additional units)
New Jersey: 40 hours for 2-year licensure renewal with specific mandates within the total
Maryland: Now requires 3 hours infection control (up from 2) within total requirements
Minnesota: Adding CE requirements for qualified dental assistants with radiology registration
The American Dental Hygienists' Association adopted ten new or updated policies for FY 2025-2026 that will influence CE planning:
These policies were finalized by February 4, 2026, and suggest hygienists should prioritize CE that aligns with expanding scope of practice and higher educational standards.
State boards are increasingly sophisticated in their audit processes. Maryland, for example, audits a percentage of renewals and emphasizes Board-approved courses. They even allow 1-hour credit for attending Board meetings (maximum 2 per cycle).
Documentation best practices:
The revised ADA CERP standards emphasize scientifically sound, bias-free digital CE delivery. While specific platforms aren't mandated, the focus on measuring CE impact suggests we'll see more sophisticated tracking and assessment tools.
Practices should seek CERP-recognized providers for online courses and consider how digital CE platforms integrate with their existing practice management systems.
Before your next renewal:
The ADA is planning webinars before June 2026 to guide both CE providers and practices through compliance with the new standards. I'd recommend attending one of these sessions if you manage CE for multiple team members.
Remember, these changes aren't just bureaucratic hurdles—they reflect our profession's commitment to evolving standards of care and patient safety. The key is staying informed and planning ahead rather than scrambling at renewal time.
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No, CE completed through CERP-approved providers before June 1, 2026, remains valid. Current providers stay compliant until the transition date, so your existing certificates are fine.
You must meet the requirements for each state where you hold a license. If Maryland requires 3 hours and your other state requires 2 hours, complete the higher requirement—it will satisfy both states' mandates.
This varies by state. Arizona, for example, caps self-study options and requires up to 21 hours of live CE. Check your specific state board requirements, as “live” definitions may include interactive webinars in some states but not others.
Check the ADA's CERP provider directory online. As of late 2024, there were 487 CERP-approved providers. Always verify approval status before enrolling, especially for courses planned after June 1, 2026.
Monitor your state board's rulemaking process. Minnesota began eliminating the Dental Assistant State Licensure Exam in October 2024 while adding CE requirements. Changes typically include transition periods, so existing credentials remain valid while new requirements phase in.