Arizona Rules and Regulations

-- New CE requirements - August 4, 2025 --

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 (63 hours for dentists, 45 for hygienists).

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

Q- Are these 12 Botox hours on top of my total CE hours?
A- No. The 12 hours are part of your required total; they don’t add extra hours to your overall CE requirement.

Q- Is there a breakdown of hands-on versus lecture hours?
A- There is no mandated breakdown — any mix of lecture and hands-on hours is acceptable, as long as the training is from a recognized CE provider.

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

Q- What if I use Botox only in low-volume, medically necessary cases (not for cosmetic purposes or fillers)? Is it required to complete a full certification course every renewal cycle?
A- Yes. Under the new rule, if you administer Botox for any purpose, including low-volume or medically necessary cases, you are required to 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.

-- New CE requirements - September 12, 2022 --

A.R.S. 32‑1207 - Your license renewal is due on your birthday. Under this statute, 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 have also been reduced under this change, so be sure you’re following the new hour totals listed below for your license type.

Dentist CE requirements in Arizona?

Triennial Requirements - Dentists and Dental Consultants
Dentists and dental consultants shall complete 63 hours of recognized continuing dental education in each renewal period as follows:

  1. At least 36 credit hours in any one or more of the following areas: Dental and medical health, preventive services, dental diagnosis and treatment planning, dental recordkeeping, dental clinical procedures, managing medical emergencies, pain management, dental public health, and courses in corrective and restorative oral health and basic dental sciences, which may include current research, new concepts in dentistry, chemical dependency, tobacco cessation, and behavioral and biological sciences that are oriented to dentistry. A Licensee who holds a permit to administer General Anesthesia, Deep Sedation, Parenteral Sedation, or Oral Sedation, who is required to obtain continuing education according to Article 13, may apply those credit hours to the requirements of this Section.
  2. No more than 15 credit hours in one or more of the following areas: Dental practice organization and management, patient management skills, and methods of health care delivery.
  3. At least 3 credit hours in opioid education.
  4. At least 3 credit hours in infectious diseases or infectious disease control.
  5. 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.
  6. At least 3 credit hours in ethics or Arizona dental jurisprudence.
  7. If providing Botox (Botulinum toxin type A and dermal fillers) treatment, at least 12 CE hours on those topics.

Note - Charitable and Online activities (correspondence course videotape, distance learning course, internet or similar self-study course that provides an examination). Up to 21 credit hours for dentists of the above CE Requirements

Hygienist CE requirements

Hygienist CE requirements in Arizona:

A dental hygienist shall complete 45 credit hours of Recognized Continuing Dental Education in each renewal period as follows:

  1. At least 25 credit hours in any one or more of the following areas: Dental and medical health, and 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.
  2. No more than 11 credit hours in one or more of the following areas: Dental hygiene practice, organization management, patient management skills, and methods of health care delivery.
  3. At least 3 credit hours in one or more of the following areas: chemical dependency, tobacco cessation, ethics, risk management, or Arizona dental jurisprudence.
  4. At least 3 credit hours in infectious diseases or infectious disease control.
  5. At least 3 credit hours in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, healthcare provider level (CPR), advanced cardiac life support, and pediatric advanced life support. Coursework may be completed online if the course requires a physical demonstration of skills.
  6. If providing Botox (Botulinum toxin type A and dermal fillers) treatment, at least 12 CE hours on those topics.

Note - Charitable and Online activities (correspondence course videotape, distance learning course, internet or similar self-study course that provides an examination). Up to 15 credit hours for hygienists of the above CE Requirements

 

Retired Dentist/Hygienist CE requirements in Arizona:

A Retired Licensee or Retired denturist shall:

  1. Except for the number of credit hours required, comply with the requirements in R4-11-1202; and
  2. When applying for renewal under A.R.S. § 32-1236 for a dentist, A.R.S. § 32-1276.02 for a dental therapist, A.R.S. § 32-1287 for a dental hygienist, and A.R.S. § 32-1297.06 for a denturist, provide information to the Board that the Retired Licensee or Retired denturist has completed the following credit hours of Recognized Continuing Dental Education per renewal period.
    1. Dentist: 24 credit hours of which no less than 3 credit hours shall be for cardiopulmonary resuscitation-healthcare provider level.
    2. Dental therapist: 21 Credit Hours of which no less than 3 Credit Hours shall be for cardiopulmonary resuscitation-healthcare provider level.
    3. Dental hygienist: 18 credit hours of which no less than 3 credit hours shall be for cardiopulmonary resuscitation-healthcare provider level.
    4. Denturist: 6 credit hours of which no less than 3 credit hours shall be for cardiopulmonary resuscitation-healthcare provider level.

Note - Charitable and Online activities (correspondence course videotape, distance learning course, internet or similar self-study course that provides an examination). Up to 2 credit hours for hygienists of the above CE Requirements

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

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

Join the Arizona Dental Association (AzDA):

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