Role-specific online CE
Dental assistants in California: RDA (Registered Dental Assistant): 25 units / 2 years. First renewal is CE-exempt. RDAEF/Orthodontic/Dental Sedation assistant permits follow the same DBC assistant CE rules.. Online/live-course signal from Dentovio's sourced CE notes: Dentists (Dental Board of California): 50 units per 2 years including mandatory 2-unit Infection Control, 2-unit California Dental Practice Act, 2-unit course on Responsibilities and Requirements of Prescribing Schedule II Opioid Drugs, and up to 4 units Basic Life Support (BLS) from an approved provider — BLS must be in-person/hands-on, online-only BLS is not accepted. No more than 50% of required units may be non-live/correspondence (live video conferencing/webinars/lectures count as live); max 8 units per day. Hygienists (RDH) 25 units and RDAs 25 units per 2 years follow the same 50%-non-live and 8-units/day caps; first renewal CE-exempt for licensees/permit holders. Confirm the current dental assistant live, webinar, correspondence, home-study, self-study, provider, and audit rules with the California dental board before enrolling.
Dental assistant CE snapshot
Last verified 2026-07-08. Research confidence: high.
Dentists (Dental Board of California): 50 units per 2 years including mandatory 2-unit Infection Control, 2-unit California Dental Practice Act, 2-unit course on Responsibilities and Requirements of Prescribing Schedule II Opioid Drugs, and up to 4 units Basic Life Support (BLS) from an approved provider — BLS must be in-person/hands-on, online-only BLS is not accepted. No more than 50% of required units may be non-live/correspondence (live video conferencing/webinars/lectures count as live); max 8 units per day. Hygienists (RDH) 25 units and RDAs 25 units per 2 years follow the same 50%-non-live and 8-units/day caps; first renewal CE-exempt for licensees/permit holders.
Biennial cycle. Dentists (Dental Board of California): 50 units per 2 years including mandatory 2-unit Infection Control, 2-unit California Dental Practice Act, 2-unit course on Responsibilities and Requirements of Prescribing Schedule II Opioid Drugs, and up to 4 units Basic Life Support (BLS) from an approved provider — BLS must be in-person/hands-on, online-only BLS is not accepted. No more than 50% of required units may be non-live/correspondence (live video conferencing/webinars/lectures count as live); max 8 units per day. Courses must be from a DBC CE Registered Provider or ADA CERP / AGD PACE provider. Retain certificates for three renewal periods. Hygienists (RDH) 25 units and RDAs 25 units per 2 years follow the same 50%-non-live and 8-units/day caps; first renewal CE-exempt for licensees/permit holders. RDH mandatory-course specifics are set by the Dental Hygiene Board of California.
