Instructors, Training Requirements and Continuing Education

Dental Health Care: Instructors, Training Requirements, and Continuing Education

Pursuant to 16.5.1.15:

A license or certificate holder may take the board’s open-book jurisprudence examination once a year, and be granted 3 hours of continuing education credit for successfully passing the exam with a score of 75% or above. There will be a $25 fee for the exam to cover the cost of handling. 

Continuing education is as follows:

Dentists: 60 hours of continuing education are required during each triennial renewal cycle, a max of 30 hours can be online, webinars, or self-study. Continuing education received after submission of renewal materials but prior to actual expiration date may be used for the requirements of the next renewal cycle. Continuing education requirements are pro-rated at 20 hours per full year of the initial licensing period. Initial licenses issued for less than a full year do not require continuing education for the first renewal.

Dental Hygienists: 45 hours of continuing education are required during each triennial renewal cycle, a max of 30 hours can be online, webinars, or self-study. Continuing education received after submission of renewal materials but prior to actual expiration date may be used for the requirements of the next renewal cycle. Continuing education requirements are pro-rated at 15 hours per full year of the initial licensing period. Initial licenses issued for less than a full year do not require continuing education for the first renewal.

Dental Assistants: 30 hours of continuing education are required during each triennial renewal cycle, a max of 30 hours can be online, webinars, or self-study. Continuing education received after submission of renewal materials but prior to actual expiration date may be used for the requirements of the next renewal cycle. Continuing education requirements are pro-rated at 10 hours per full year of the initial licensing period. Initial licenses issued for less than a full year do not require continuing education for the first renewal.

Expanded Function Dental Auxilliary: 36 hours of continuing education are required during each triennial renewal cycle, a max of 12 hours can be online, webinars, or self-study. Continuing education received after submission of renewal materials but prior to actual expiration date may be used for the requirements of the next renewal cycle. Continuing education requirements are pro-rated at 12 hours per full year of the initial licensing period. Initial licenses issued for less than a full year do not require continuing education for the first renewal.

Community Dental Health Coordinator: 36 hours of continuing education are required during each triennial renewal cycle, a max of 12 hours can be online, webinars, or self-study. Continuing education received after submission of renewal materials but prior to actual expiration date may be used for the requirements of the next renewal cycle. Continuing education requirements are pro-rated at 12 hours per full year of the initial licensing period. Initial licenses issued for less than a full year do not require continuing education for the first renewal.

All licensees & certificate holders who are unable to fulfill the continuing education requirements may apply to the board for an emergency deferral due to extenuating circumstances as defined in 16.5.1.7 NMAC of the rules.

All requests must me in writing & submitted to the board office prior to the license or certificate expiration date.

Additional approved CPR providers are as follows:

EMS Safety Services

National Safety Council