Continuing Education Requirements for Dental Hygienists in New York
Continuing Education Requirements for Dental Hygienists in New York
If you are a licensed dental hygienist in New York State, keeping your license active means following strict continuing education (CE) requirements. The New York State Education Department (NYSED), Office of the Professions, sets these rules to ensure that dental hygienists remain current with clinical practices, infection control, and patient safety. Here’s everything you need to know for 2025 and beyond.
Total CE Hours Required
Dental hygienists must complete 24 contact hours of continuing education during each three-year registration period.
These hours must come from approved providers, including universities, dental associations, and continuing education sponsors recognized by NYSED.
Live vs. Self-Study CE
New York requires a balance between live and home-study courses:
At least 14 of the 24 hours must be live CE.
Live CE includes in-person classes, seminars, and real-time interactive webinars.
Up to 10 hours can be self-study, which includes recorded courses, reading-based modules, or pre-recorded webinars that do not allow interaction with the instructor.
This ensures hygienists engage with instructors and peers while still offering flexibility for online learning.
Mandatory CE Topics
In addition to the 24 hours, hygienists must complete courses in specific required areas:
Infection Control – A state-approved infection control course must be completed every four years. This ensures hygienists stay updated on sterilization, disease prevention, and patient safety protocols.
Child Abuse Identification and Reporting – New York law requires all dental professionals to complete mandated reporter training. This training was updated in 2021 and must be completed by April 1, 2025. It now includes content on implicit bias and best practices for virtual interactions.
Recordkeeping and Audits
Dental hygienists must certify completion of CE when renewing their registration.
NYSED does not track CE hours for you. Each hygienist is responsible for keeping proof of attendance and completion certificates for at least 6 years.
If audited, you will need to submit course titles, dates, provider names, and hours earned.
Failure to provide proof can result in fines, conditional registration, or even disciplinary action.
First Renewal After Licensure
Exemptions: If your initial license was issued by NYSED, you are exempt from CE requirements for your first three-year renewal cycle.
Transfers: If your license was issued by endorsement (i.e., you transferred from another state), you must meet CE requirements in your first renewal cycle.
Staying Compliant
Plan CE early — don’t leave all 24 hours for the final year.
Track how many live hours vs. self-study hours you have completed.
Choose NYSED-approved providers to avoid issues during an audit.
Keep certificates and records in one place for easy retrieval.
Watch deadlines for infection control and child abuse training.
Conclusion
For dental hygienists in New York, the CE requirements are designed to keep professionals up to date, protect patients, and uphold the highest standards of care. By completing 24 CE hours every three years, meeting live course requirements, and staying current with infection control and mandated reporter training, you’ll remain in good standing with NYSED and continue providing safe, effective oral health care.
Dental license renewal is a critical responsibility for all oral healthcare professionals. By completing continuing education, paying fees on time, and staying updated on your state’s requirements, you ensure that you remain in good standing and continue providing care without interruption.
At the New York School for Medical and Dental Assistants (NYSMDA), students not only receive training to become skilled dental assistants but also learn the importance of maintaining their professional credentials through timely license renewal!
While New York State requires dental assistants to meet specific guidelines set by the state dental board, NYSMDA supports graduates by providing guidance on continuing education, exam preparation, and the renewal process to keep their certifications active. By renewing their licenses on time, NYSMDA-trained dental assistants ensure they remain in compliance with state regulations, continue practicing legally, and uphold the high professional standards expected in the dental field.
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