CE Requirements Summary

DHHS renews dental licenses every two years. On or before March 1 of each odd-numbered year, each dentist holding an active license must complete at least 30 hours of acceptable continuing education during the preceding 24-month period.

In 2023, the MATE Act requires all prescribers of federally controlled substances to complete eight (8) hours of training on treating and managing patients with opioid use disorder (OUD) and substance use disorder (SUD). This requirement begins on the date of your next scheduled DEA registration submission - regardless of whether it is an initial registration or a renewal registration - on or after June 27, 2023.  Listing of common controlled substances.

FAQ_MATE-Act-ADA

The Nebrask Medical Association is allowing NDA members to access their MATE Act CE for free!

Required Nebraska CE

All dentists must have a minimum of 2 hours in a renewal period that must be obtained in infection control continuing education (172 NAC 56.007.04(E))

Dentists holding any level of any level of sedation permit (general anesthesia or deep sedation, moderate or minimal sedation - (172 NAC 56.009) a minimum of 6 hours in a renewal period must be obtained in general anesthesia or sedation administration and management for the dental office continuing education. (172 NAC 56.007.04(G))

As required by LB 731, dentists prescribing controlled substances, continuing education shall include at least three hours of continuing education biennially regarding prescribing opiates as defined in section 28-401. One-half hour of the three hours of continuing education shall cover the prescription drug monitoring program described in sections 71-2454 to 71-2456 - (172 NAC 56.007.04(F))

Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) offers 3.5 hours FREE continuing credits that can used towards your 3.0 hours of OPIOID requirements and 0.5 hours of PDMP requirements. click here to access.

Online / Home Study

Online webinars / Home study CE is limited to 10 hours of the required 30 hours CE total. Interactive webinars which include the ability of the participant to interact with the presenter are not considered home study;

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Continuing Education Requirements - 172 NAC 56

007. CONTINUING EDUCATION.

On or before March 1 of each odd-numbered year, each dentist holding an active license must complete at least 30 hours of acceptable continuing education during the preceding 24-month period. Each licensee is responsible for maintaining certificates or records of continuing education. A dentist holding a dental locum tenens license is not required to meet continuing education requirements. Temporary dental licenses will expire 1 year from the date of issuance, or when the postgraduate or residency program ends and are not required to meet continuing education requirements.

007.01 ACCEPTABLE CONTINUING EDUCATION TOPICS AND ACTIVITIES. The following are acceptable continuing education sources and activities:
(A) State and national meetings of the local, state, or American Dental Association, local, state, or National Dental Association, or educational programs sponsored by the recognized specialty groups in dentistry of the American Dental Association;
(B) Attendance at district meetings and study clubs;
(C) Formal education courses which relate directly to the practice of dentistry;
(D) College or University-sponsored courses in continuing education in dentistry;
(E) Licensee acting as table clinician or lecturer to licensed dentists, licensed dental hygienists, licensed or unlicensed dental assistants or licensee attending table clinics;
(F) Home study with a testing mechanism. If there is not a testing mechanism or certificate of completion, the licensee must submit an abstract or summary of the material covered to the Board of Dentistry. The abstract or summary must be written by only the licensee and will be reviewed. Interactive webinars which include the ability of the participant to interact with the presenter are not considered home study;(G) Direct clinical observation;
(H) Initial cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification or cardiopulmonary resuscitation recertification;
(I) Faculty overseeing dental clinic education of students;
(J) Dental public health continuing education;
(K) Ethics and professionalism continuing education;
(L) Well-being or substance abuse continuing education;
(M) Infection control continuing education;
(N) Practice management continuing education;
(O) Administration and management of anesthesia or sedation for the dental office continuing education;(P) Prescribing opiates and the prescription drug monitoring program continuing education; or
(Q) Participating in a volunteer activity such as Mission of Mercy or equivalent.

007.02 CONTINUING EDUCATION CRITERIA. To be considered acceptable for continuing education, the activity must meet the following criteria:
(A) Be at least 50 minutes in duration;
(B) Objectives must relate to the practice of dentistry;
(C) Presenters must be qualified by education, experience, or training;
(D) Must be open to all licensed dentists who meet the pre-requisites for the activity; and
(E) The provider must have a process for verifying attendance and issue a certificate of attendance for each participant. Each certificate must include the following:
(i) Program name;
(ii) Name of the participant and the participant’s license number;
(iii) Provider’s name;
(iv) Dates the activity began and ended; and
(v) Number of hours attended by the licensee.

007.03 CRITERIA FOR A HOME STUDY PROGRAM. To be considered acceptable for continuing education, a home study program must meet the following criteria:
(A) Objectives must relate to the practice of dentistry;
(B) Must have a post-test or other method of assessment which verifies that the licensee completed the program; and
(C) The authors(s) or developer(s) of the program must meet the following qualifications:
(i) Experience in the content and subject matter of the program;
(ii) Expertise in teaching and instructional methods suitable to the subject presented; and
(iii) Suitable academic qualifications, certification credentials, or experience for or in the subject of the program.

007.04 CREDIT HOUR CALCULATIONS. Credits earned in excess of thirty hours in a 24 month renewal period do not carry over into the following period. A dentist may receive credit for acceptable continuing education activities, subject to the credit number limitations and requirements set out below:
(A) A maximum of 10 hours each in a renewal period may be obtained through home study or for initial cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification;
(B) A maximum of 2 hours each in a renewal period may be obtained as a table clinician or lecturer or for direct clinical observation;
(C) A maximum of 4 hours each in a renewal period may be obtained for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) re-certification or practice management continuing education;
(D) A maximum of 5 hours in a renewal period may be obtained for faculty overseeing dental clinic education of students;
(E) A minimum of 2 hours in a renewal period must be obtained in infection control continuing education;
(F) If the licensee prescribes controlled substances, continuing education that meets the requirements set in Neb. Rev. Stat. § 38-145(6);
(G) A minimum of 6 hours in a renewal period must be obtained in general anesthesia or sedation administration and management for the dental office continuing education for licensees holding any level of sedation permit;
(H) A licensee who is a presenter of a continuing education program may receive a maximum of 2 hours for the creation of a presentation, and a maximum of 2 hours for the initial presentation of the program during a renewal period. Credit will not be given to the licensee for subsequent presentations of the same program; or
(I) A maximum of 5 hours in a renewal period for participating in a volunteer activity such as Mission of Mercy or equivalent.

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