Last updated July 2026 · requirements verified against regulator publications 20 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 →
Nova Scotia dentists are regulated by the Nova Scotia Regulator of Dentistry and Dental Assisting (NSRDDA). Dentists require 90 credits per three-year cycle, including at least 30 Category 1 scientific or clinical course credits; up to 60 Category 2 and 30 Category 3 credits may be claimed.
Alongside the headline requirement, keep these on your radar:
- At least 30 Category 1 (scientific/clinical) credits per cycle
- A regulator-approved Management of Medical Emergencies in the Dental Office course (min. three hours) once each cycle
- Up to 60 Category 2 and 30 Category 3 credits may be claimed
Where free online CE fits: Certificated online courses fit Nova Scotia's category system well; the floor that matters is 30 Category 1 scientific/clinical credits per cycle, with headroom for up to 60 Category 2 and 30 Category 3. Check where a given webinar sits in the NSRDDA's current category definitions before assigning it in your records. Log each course the day you finish it with the free CE tracker (pick your province from the Canada presets — cycle dates and targets are preloaded), and see the Canada CE guide for the national picture.
Planning a cycle in Nova Scotia
Plan the three mandatory pieces first: the 30 Category 1 credits and the regulator-approved medical-emergencies course (minimum three hours, once per cycle). With those secured, the remaining ~57 credits are flexible — a steady 30 credits a year covers the total with margin.
Browse certificated courses for your CE record →
Nova Scotia CE at a glance
- CE required: 90 credit hours per 3-year cycle
- Regulator: Nova Scotia Regulator of Dentistry and Dental Assisting (NSRDDA)
- Cycle: 3-year cycle
- Online learning: Category limits apply — up to 60 Category 2 and 30 Category 3 credits
A starting sample across clinical areas
- The Invisalign Efficiency Playbook, Chapter 1: Curing Attachment Disorder
- Risk Management for Pediatric Caries
- Dental Lasers: An Experience Loved by Kids, Preferred by Parents
- Considerations and Methods for Fabricating an All On 4 with Lingualized Occlusion
- 3 Reasons Why You Should Only Discuss Essential Treatment First
- Endodontic Diagnosis: Part I – Medical & Dental History, Chief complaint, Pain of endodontic origin, Clinical exam
- Crown and Bridge Made Easy: A Handful of Tips to Make the Day Go Smoothly
- Optimizing Your Digital Assets for the Maximum ROI
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Frequently asked questions
How much CE do dentists need in Nova Scotia?
90 credit hours per 3-year cycle. Key conditions: At least 30 Category 1 (scientific/clinical) credits per cycle. Requirements change — always confirm the current rules with the NSRDDA.
Do free online courses count toward CE in Nova Scotia?
Recognition-wise, ADA CERP and AGD PACE cover most of this directory, and Canadian regulators broadly accept both. The Nova Scotia-specific point: category limits apply — up to 60 Category 2 and 30 Category 3 credits.
Who regulates dentists in Nova Scotia?
Nova Scotia Regulator of Dentistry and Dental Assisting (NSRDDA). It sets the CE requirement, audits compliance and publishes the current rules — treat its website as the primary source.
How should I keep records?
Download the certificate for every completed course the day you finish it, and log it in a tracker against your cycle target. The free CE tracker on this site has a preset for each Canadian province and territory with the verified target and cycle preloaded.