Do online CE courses for dentists count towards licensure renewal

I’m a dentist in California, and my license is up for renewal in a few months. I’m trying to get all my continuing education credits sorted out. It’s getting harder and harder to find time to attend in-person courses with the busy practice, so I’ve been looking into online CE options. There are so many available now, it’s almost overwhelming.

My main concern is whether online CE courses actually count towards the required CE hours for license renewal in California. The Board of Dental Examiners website is a bit vague on the specifics, and I’m worried about spending time and money on courses that won’t be accepted.

Specifically, are there limitations on the number of CE hours I can obtain online? Or are there particular types of online courses that are not accepted? And how do I verify that an online provider is "approved" by the California Dental Board so I can be sure the courses I take will be valid for renewal? Are there certain keywords or certifications I should be looking for when choosing a course? I’d really appreciate any advice from other dentists who have navigated this already.

Answer

Online Continuing Education (CE) courses for dentists typically count towards licensure renewal, but the specific requirements and limitations vary significantly depending on the jurisdiction (state or territory) where the dentist is licensed. Here’s a detailed breakdown:

General Principles

1. State Dental Boards Set the Rules: Each state or territory’s dental board is the ultimate authority on CE requirements for license renewal. These boards establish the number of CE hours required, the types of courses that are acceptable, and any specific subject matter requirements.

2. Acceptance of Online CE: Most state dental boards now accept online CE courses as part of the required hours for renewal. However, there are often caveats.

3. Verifying Course Approval: It is the dentist’s responsibility to ensure that any online CE course they take is approved by the relevant state dental board or a recognized accrediting body. Many boards publish lists of approved providers or have mechanisms for dentists to verify course approval before taking the course.

Factors Affecting Acceptance of Online CE

1. Maximum Allowable Online Hours: Some states limit the number of CE hours that can be completed online. For example, a state might require 30 CE hours every two years but stipulate that no more than 15 hours can be earned through online courses. Other states may have no limit on online CE.

2. Specific Course Requirements: Some states mandate that a certain number of CE hours must be completed in specific subjects, such as infection control, opioid prescribing, ethics, or domestic violence awareness. These specific subject requirements may or may not be fulfilled through online courses, depending on the board’s rules.

3. Live vs. On-Demand Courses: Some states differentiate between "live" online courses (webinars, virtual conferences) and on-demand or self-paced online courses. Live online courses may be considered equivalent to in-person courses and thus may not be subject to the same limitations as on-demand courses.

4. Interactive Components: Some boards require online courses to have interactive components, such as quizzes, assessments, or opportunities for interaction with the instructor or other participants, to ensure active learning.

5. Provider Accreditation: The accreditation of the CE provider is crucial. Many states require that online CE courses be provided by organizations accredited by the American Dental Association’s Continuing Education Recognition Program (ADA CERP) or other recognized accrediting bodies. Courses from non-accredited providers may not be accepted.

6. Documentation and Record Keeping: Dentists are responsible for maintaining accurate records of their completed CE courses, including certificates of completion, course descriptions, and dates of attendance. These records may be required for audit purposes by the state dental board.

7. First Aid/CPR Certification: Many states require current certification in Basic Life Support (BLS) or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). Online-only CPR courses are generally not accepted; typically, a hands-on component is required.

Examples of State-Specific Variations

It is impossible to provide an exhaustive list of every state’s regulations, but here are a few examples to illustrate the variations:

• California: The Dental Board of California accepts online CE courses from approved providers.

• Texas: The Texas State Board of Dental Examiners has specific requirements for the content of CE courses and may limit the number of hours that can be earned online.

• Florida: The Florida Board of Dentistry accepts online CE courses, but certain subjects, like domestic violence, often have specific requirements about the format (e.g., must be live).

• New York: The New York State Board for Dentistry accepts online CE courses, but there are specific requirements related to infection control training.

How to Determine if an Online CE Course Counts in Your Jurisdiction

1. Consult Your State Dental Board’s Website: This is the most reliable source of information. Look for sections on license renewal, continuing education, or CE requirements.

2. Review the Board’s Regulations or Rules: Many boards publish detailed regulations outlining specific CE requirements.

3. Contact the State Dental Board Directly: If you have specific questions or need clarification, contact the board by phone or email.

4. Check Course Accreditation: Verify that the online CE provider is accredited by ADA CERP or another recognized accrediting body.

5. Read Course Descriptions Carefully: Ensure that the course content meets any specific subject matter requirements in your state.

6. Keep Detailed Records: Maintain copies of all CE certificates and course materials.

In summary, while online CE courses are generally accepted for dental license renewal, dentists must carefully research and verify that the courses they choose meet the specific requirements of their state dental board. Failure to comply with these requirements could result in the denial of license renewal.