# Arkansas dental CE requirements

> Continuing education requirements in Arkansas: dentists 50 hours (CEUs) / 2 years (biennial), hygienists 40 hours (CEUs) / 2 years (biennial), assistants No general state CE requirement for dental assistants; radiography-permit holders must complete a board-approved radiography course before operating certain machines/renewing the radiography permit and hold Healthcare-Provider CPR. DANB-certified assistants follow separate DANB annual CE renewal..

URL: https://dentovio.com/ce-requirements/arkansas

Last verified: 2026-07-08

Research confidence: high

Educational summary only, not compliance advice. CE rules change; confirm current requirements, approved providers, and deadlines with the Arkansas board before renewing.

## Role requirements

- Dentist: 50 hours (CEUs) / 2 years (biennial)
- Dental hygienist: 40 hours (CEUs) / 2 years (biennial)
- Dental assistant: No general state CE requirement for dental assistants; radiography-permit holders must complete a board-approved radiography course before operating certain machines/renewing the radiography permit and hold Healthcare-Provider CPR. DANB-certified assistants follow separate DANB annual CE renewal.

## Renewal cycle and mandatory topics

Two-year reporting period. Per Article XIV (038.00.08 Ark. Code R. 002): dentists 50 CEUs, hygienists 40 CEUs per 2-year period. Mandatory: at least 1 CE hour on infection control each 2-year reporting period. Opioid/controlled-substance: DEA-registered practitioners must complete an 8-hour one-time training on treating/managing patients with opioid or other substance use disorders (federal MATE Act requirement, effective for DEA registrations/renewals on or after June 27, 2023). Home-study courses accepted if they include a post-test and certificate of completion. Non-clinical courses (money management, investments, org business meetings) do not qualify. Records kept 3 years. No CPR or law/ethics hour mandate found in the CE rule.

## Official board source

- <https://healthy.arkansas.gov/boards-commissions/boards/dental-examiners-arkansas-state-board/>

## References

- Source 1: <https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/arkansas/038-00-08-Ark-Code-R-002>
- Source 2: <https://healthy.arkansas.gov/boards-commissions/boards/dental-examiners-arkansas-state-board/>
- Source 3: <https://healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/topics/arkansas-state-board-of-dental-examiners/faqs>
- Source 4: <https://www.danb.org/state-requirements/detail/arkansas-state-requirements>

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