Last updated July 2026 · all courses free at the point of access
Written by Dr Sam — practising dentist, Australia, and the clinician behind this directory. About the author →
Primary source: North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners — official site. Requirements on this page are summarised from the Board's published rules — always confirm the current rules at the source.
The North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners sets North Carolina's requirement — 15 hours per calendar year. The annual rhythm is the trap and the gift: it’s small enough to clear with one certificated webinar a month, and easy enough to forget until December (figures drawn from published summaries of the Board’s rules — always confirm current requirements with the Board before relying on them).
Alongside the annual hours, keep these standing expectations in view:
- Current CPR/BLS certification, generally maintained in addition to the counted hours
- The Board’s rules set format and topic parameters that evolve — check the current CE rule before finalising your year
How free online courses slot in: North Carolina’s annual requirement is modest, and ADA CERP / AGD PACE-recognised providers — which include most major free platforms in this directory — are the practical standard. A one-hour certificated webinar each month clears the year with room to spare, at zero cost.
Browse certificated courses for your CE record →A starting sample across clinical areas
- Supra-gingival Minimally Invasive Dentistry and Occlusion
- Effective Archwire Engagement and Disengagement with 3M™ Self-Ligating Appliances
- Exquisite Crown and Bridge Provisionalization Made Easy
- Free Dental CE - Empowerment at Home: Patient-Centric Branding for Clinical Success - 5/30/24
- Advances in Digital Caries Detection - Are You Seeing the “Total Picture” of Your Patients’ Caries Status
- Managing implant restoration complications: A practical guide for clinicians
- Prevention to Restoration and Everything in Between
Frequently asked questions
How many CE hours do North Carolina dentists need?
15 hours per calendar year, under the North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners. Format and topic parameters are set by the Board — confirm the current rule before relying on a plan.
Do free online courses count in North Carolina?
Yes — courses from recognised providers (ADA CERP, AGD PACE) are the practical quality bar, and that covers the major free platforms. Check the Board’s current position on format mix if you plan an all-online year.
Is CPR required?
Yes — current CPR/BLS certification is a standing expectation for licensees, typically maintained alongside rather than inside the 15 counted hours.
Do I submit certificates at renewal?
Generally no — renewal is attestation-based with audits. Keep dated certificates for each year in one folder and an audit becomes paperwork rather than panic.
Related guides
Browse free dental CE by state
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