Role-specific CE reference
Dental assistants in Texas: Registered Dental Assistants (RDAs): 12 hours / 2 years, of which at least 6 hours must be clinical (rule expressed as 6 hours/year, at least 3 clinical). CPR/BLS must be a current hands-on course (online not accepted). Human trafficking prevention course required. Up to 6 CE hours may carry forward.. Renewal-cycle notes: Biennial (2-year) renewal. For dentists and hygienists: minimum 16 of the 24 hours must be scientific/technical (clinical); up to 8 hours may be risk management (record-keeping/HIPAA/ethics). Self-study cap: up to 8 hours may be self-study (correspondence/video/audio/reading). Jurisprudence: TSBDE Jurisprudence Assessment required every 4 years and does NOT count toward the 24 hours. Human trafficking prevention course (HHSC-approved) required and counts toward the 24. Opioids/controlled substances: dentists with direct patient care must complete at least 4 hours per biennium on safe/effective pain management related to prescribing opioids/controlled substances (a 2-hour DEA-related course counts toward this 4). CPR/BLS required but does not count toward the 24-hour minimum; OSHA and CPR excluded from the count. Carry-forward: up to 24 excess classroom-format hours earned in the year before renewal. Confirm current role-specific requirements with the Texas dental board before renewing.
Requirement summary
Last verified 2026-07-08. Research confidence: high.
Biennial (2-year) renewal. For dentists and hygienists: minimum 16 of the 24 hours must be scientific/technical (clinical); up to 8 hours may be risk management (record-keeping/HIPAA/ethics). Self-study cap: up to 8 hours may be self-study (correspondence/video/audio/reading). Jurisprudence: TSBDE Jurisprudence Assessment required every 4 years and does NOT count toward the 24 hours. Human trafficking prevention course (HHSC-approved) required and counts toward the 24. Opioids/controlled substances: dentists with direct patient care must complete at least 4 hours per biennium on safe/effective pain management related to prescribing opioids/controlled substances (a 2-hour DEA-related course counts toward this 4). CPR/BLS required but does not count toward the 24-hour minimum; OSHA and CPR excluded from the count. Carry-forward: up to 24 excess classroom-format hours earned in the year before renewal.
Use the state board source before filing a renewal or choosing CE courses. Dentovio is an educational summary, not the licensing authority.
Open Texas board source