Quick facts
- Board Name
- Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners (ASBDE)
- Renewal Cycle
- 2 years (biennial)
- Rule Citation
- ASBDE Rules, Section V: Continuing Education
- Hour Requirement
- 40 hours per biennium
- State-Mandated Topics
- Opioid/Controlled Substance Prescribing (2 hrs), CPR/BLS Certification
- Records Retention
- 4 years from the date of course completion
Governing authority and what the rule requires
Your continuing education and license renewal are governed by the Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners. The Board's authority comes from the Arkansas Dental Practice Act, codified in Arkansas Code Annotated (A.C.A.) Title 17, Chapter 82. The specific rules for CE audits are detailed in the Board's Rules and Regulations, primarily under Section V, titled "Continuing Education."
How Arkansas dental CE audits typically work
After a renewal cycle the board reviews a sample of attestations. If selected, you will receive a notice through the email or address on file with a defined response window. Most audits close quietly when records match what was attested. The steps below are typical for Arkansas.
- First, the ASBDE randomly selects a percentage of renewing dentists for a CE audit.
- You will receive a notification letter from the Board, typically by mail, informing you of the audit.
- The notice will instruct you to submit copies of your CE certificates for the relevant two-year period within a specified timeframe, usually 30 days.
- Board staff will review your submitted documentation to verify you have met the 40-hour requirement and all mandated topic areas.
- Finally, the Board will notify you of the audit results, either closing the matter or requesting further information or action.
Documentation commonly requested
Audit notices are usually specific about what they want. Read the notice slowly and make a checklist directly from it. The most common items requested for dentists include:
- To satisfy an audit, you must provide clear and legible copies of your certificates of completion for each course. Per ASBDE rules, each certificate must contain:
- Your name and license number
- The course title, instructor, and provider name
- The date the course was taken
- The number of credit hours awarded
- Verification from the provider that the course was completed
Arkansas-specific mandated topics
Beyond a total hour count, Arkansas requires specific subject-matter CE within the cycle. Make sure each mandated topic is covered by a certificate that names the topic explicitly.
- Arkansas has a few specific CE requirements for dentists that you must meet within your 40-hour total:
- Opioid Prescribing: You must complete at least two (2) hours of continuing education on the topic of prescribing practices for opiates and other controlled substances. See A.C.A. § 17-82-313.
- CPR/BLS: You are required to maintain a current certification in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) at the Healthcare Provider level or its equivalent at all times. This certification counts toward your 40-hour requirement.
Common pitfalls dentists run into
- Failing to maintain current CPR certification throughout the entire renewal cycle.
- Not completing the mandatory 2 hours in opioid/controlled substance prescribing.
- Miscalculating the total number of hours or the renewal period dates.
- Taking courses from providers who are not recognized or approved by the Board or a recognized national entity like the ADA CERP or AGD PACE.
- Losing or misplacing CE certificates, as they are your only proof of attendance.
- Assuming an 'exempt' status applies to you without verifying the specific requirements in the Board's rules (exemptions are very limited).
How to assemble a clean response
Gather your records in one place. A folder on your desktop, a printed binder, or a shared drive all work. You don't need a complicated system. You just need to be able to find things.
Name each PDF clearly with the date, course title, and number of hours. Group certificates by category that maps to the board's request: mandated topics, general dental CE, CPR/BLS. Add a one-page cover sheet that summarizes total hours and points the reviewer to the matching documents.
If your hours fall short
First-time shortfalls are usually handled administratively. Boards generally allow a defined window to complete makeup hours and submit updated documentation. Honest, prompt communication is far better than silence.
If the shortfall is significant or repeated, the board may move toward formal action. At that point, calm documentation of how you are coming into compliance, plus a written plan to prevent recurrence, makes a meaningful difference.
Possible outcomes
- After reviewing your records, the ASBDE will issue a determination. Possible outcomes include:
- Case Closed: If your records are complete and compliant, the Board will send you a letter closing the audit with no further action needed.
- Request for Information: You may be asked to provide missing certificates or clarify course details.
- Disciplinary Action: If the Board finds a significant CE deficiency, it may initiate disciplinary action under the Dental Practice Act. According to A.C.A. § 17-82-316, this can range from a formal letter of reprimand and fines (up to $1,000 per violation) to license probation, suspension, or even revocation in severe cases of non-compliance or fraud.
A simple audit-response checklist
- 1Read the audit notice slowly. Note the deadline and exact list of documents requested.
- 2Make a simple folder labeled with the cycle dates being audited.
- 3Pull certificates of completion for every CE activity in that cycle.
- 4Match each certificate to the topic area or category your board requires.
- 5Save proof of license renewal and any required attestations.
- 6If a certificate is missing, contact the provider for a duplicate before the deadline.
- 7Scan everything as clean PDFs, named with date and course title.
- 8Submit through the channel the board requests. Keep a copy and a confirmation.
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Frequently asked questions
Real Outcomes Reported by BoardWise Users
BoardWise users have reported outcomes including:
- Complaint dismissals
- Successful responses to board inquiries
- Passing continuing education audits
- Early probation termination
- Improved understanding of licensing board procedures
Individual outcomes vary and depend on the facts of each case.
Optional Attorney Document Review
Before you send anything to the board, BoardWise can match dentist in Arkansas with an independent, state-licensed attorney for an optional limited-scope review of the document you prepared:
- We match you with an independent attorney licensed in your state
- They review and suggest revisions to your document before you submit it to the board
- Focused, limited-scope review at a fixed fee rather than a full retainer
- A second set of eyes on wording, tone, and anything that may need a closer look
What does the attorney review cost? Pricing depends on the complexity of your matter and the scope of review, but most BoardWise lawyer reviews are approximately $250–$500. You’ll see the specific fee before deciding whether to proceed.
Optional limited-scope attorney review may be available for an additional fixed fee. Attorney availability, conflicts review, eligibility requirements, and additional terms apply. If an attorney accepts the matter, the client will contract with and pay the independent attorney directly.
Print & FedEx Overnight Delivery
Finishing the document is only part of the job. BoardWise Document Delivery lets dentist in Arkansas send the finished packet straight to the board without a trip to the post office:
- FedEx Overnight delivery for street addresses when your deadline is close
- USPS Priority Express and USPS Certified Mail for P.O. Box board addresses
- Printing, packaging, and postage handled for you, with tracking on every order
- Confirmation and tracking details emailed to you as your package moves
What does it cost? $150 for FedEx Overnight and $99 for USPS Priority Express or Certified Mail. You see the exact price and the full address details before you authorize the order.
Printing and mailing are fulfilled by Mailform. You are responsible for meeting your own deadline, so keep an electronic copy and watch the tracking information.
What Professionals Are Saying
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BoardWise is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice or representation. This guide is educational only and reflects general practice in the United States. Your state licensing board is the official source for current requirements. If your situation involves formal discipline or a hearing, consider consulting a licensed attorney in your state.