CE Requirements

CE Requirements in Arizona

Stay compliant and confident. Arizona dentists, hygienists, and retired licensees must complete recognized continuing education during each renewal period.

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Renewal rules matter. Know your hours before your license renewal deadline.

! New CE requirement effective August 4, 2025: Botox and dermal filler CE requirement If you administer Botox or dermal fillers, you must complete 12 CE hours in those topics during each 3-year renewal cycle. View details

A.A.C. R4-11-1201(A)(2) — If you administer Botox or dermal fillers, you must complete 12 CE hours in those topics during each 3-year renewal cycle. These hours are included in — not in addition to — your total CE requirement.

How far back does Botox CE count?
Only CE taken during your current 3-year renewal cycle counts toward the 12-hour requirement. CE completed before that cycle does not apply.

Are these 12 Botox hours in addition to my total CE hours?
No. The 12 hours are part of your required total; they do not add extra hours to your overall CE requirement.

Is there a breakdown of hands-on versus lecture hours?
No. Any mix of lecture and hands-on hours is acceptable, as long as the training is from a recognized CE provider.

Who can provide this Botox training?
Botox and dermal filler CE must come from a recognized continuing dental education provider approved by the Arizona State Board of Dental Examiners. This includes ADA CERP or AGD PACE approved organizations, accredited dental schools, or recognized professional associations.

What if I use Botox only in low-volume, medically necessary cases?
Under the new rule, if you administer Botox for any purpose, including low-volume or medically necessary cases, you must complete 12 CE hours specific to Botox and/or dermal fillers during every 3-year renewal cycle. There is no exemption based on volume or intent.

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License renewal is now tied to your birthday

A.R.S. 32-1207 — Dentists, hygienists, and business entities renew every three years, with the license expiring on the licensee’s birthday instead of the old June 30 date. The total CE hours required were also reduced under this change.

Quick CE snapshot

Use this summary as a starting point, then review the detailed requirements by license type below.

Dentists

63 CE hours per renewal period.

Hygienists

45 CE hours per renewal period.

Retired Dentists

24 CE hours per renewal period.

Botox / Fillers

Required if administering Botox or dermal fillers.

Requirements by license type

Select your license type to review the CE language that applies to you.

Dentists Hygienists Retired Licensees

Dentists and Dental Consultants

Dentist CE requirements in Arizona

Dentists and dental consultants must complete 63 hours of recognized continuing dental education in each renewal period.

63 Total CE hours

36+

Clinical and dental health areas

At least 36 credit hours in dental and medical health, preventive services, dental diagnosis and treatment planning, dental recordkeeping, dental clinical procedures, managing medical emergencies, pain management, dental public health, corrective and restorative oral health, and basic dental sciences. This may include current research, new concepts in dentistry, chemical dependency, tobacco cessation, and behavioral and biological sciences oriented to dentistry.

Practice management limit

No more than 15 credit hours in dental practice organization and management, patient management skills, and methods of health care delivery.

Opioid education

At least 3 credit hours in opioid education.

Infection control

At least 3 credit hours in infectious diseases or infectious disease control.

CPR / ACLS / PALS

At least 3 credit hours in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, healthcare provider level, advanced cardiac life support, or pediatric advanced life support. Coursework may be completed online if the course requires a physical demonstration of skills.

Ethics or jurisprudence

At least 3 credit hours in ethics or Arizona dental jurisprudence.

Botox / dermal fillers

If providing Botox or dermal filler treatment, at least 12 CE hours on those topics.

Charitable and online activities: Up to 21 credit hours for dentists may be completed through charitable and online activities, including correspondence courses, videotape, distance learning, internet, or similar self-study courses that provide an examination.

Dental Hygienists

Hygienist CE requirements in Arizona

Dental hygienists must complete 45 credit hours of recognized continuing dental education in each renewal period.

45 Total CE hours

25+

Dental hygiene and health areas

At least 25 credit hours in dental and medical health, dental hygiene services, periodontal disease, care of implants, maintenance of cosmetic restorations and sealants, radiology safety and techniques, managing medical emergencies, pain management, dental recordkeeping, dental public health, and new concepts in dental hygiene.

Practice management limit

No more than 11 credit hours in dental hygiene practice, organization management, patient management skills, and methods of health care delivery.

Chemical dependency / ethics / risk

At least 3 credit hours in chemical dependency, tobacco cessation, ethics, risk management, or Arizona dental jurisprudence.

Infection control

At least 3 credit hours in infectious diseases or infectious disease control.

CPR / ACLS / PALS

Botox / dermal fillers

If providing Botox or dermal filler treatment, at least 12 CE hours on those topics.

Charitable and online activities: Up to 15 credit hours for hygienists may be completed through charitable and online activities, including correspondence courses, videotape, distance learning, internet, or similar self-study courses that provide an examination.

Retired Licensees

Retired dentist / hygienist CE requirements in Arizona

A retired licensee or retired denturist must comply with the applicable requirements, except for the required number of credit hours.

Reduced CE hours

Retired dentist

24 credit hours, including no less than 3 credit hours for cardiopulmonary resuscitation-healthcare provider level.

Retired dental therapist

21 credit hours, including no less than 3 credit hours for cardiopulmonary resuscitation-healthcare provider level.

Retired dental hygienist

18 credit hours, including no less than 3 credit hours for cardiopulmonary resuscitation-healthcare provider level.

Retired denturist

6 credit hours, including no less than 3 credit hours for cardiopulmonary resuscitation-healthcare provider level.

Charitable and online activities: Up to 2 credit hours may be completed through charitable and online activities, including correspondence courses, videotape, distance learning, internet, or similar self-study courses that provide an examination.

What about Botox CE? Retired license status prohibits active practice of injectables, so the 12-hour Botox CE requirement does not apply.

What about DEA registration? A retired licensee, by definition, is not practicing dentistry and must relinquish controlled substance prescribing privileges and any DEA registration.