Quick facts
- Board Name
- Georgia Board of Dentistry
- Renewal Cycle
- 2 years
- Rule Citation
- Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. r. 150-3-.09
- Hour Requirement
- 40 hours
- State-Mandated Topics
- Opioid Prescribing (3 hrs), CPR/BLS Certification
- Records Retention
- 4 years from course date (see Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. r. 150-3-.09(4))
Governing authority and what the rule requires
The Georgia Board of Dentistry is the governing body responsible for licensing and regulating dentists in the state. Its authority comes from the Georgia Dental Practice Act, codified in the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A.) Title 43, Chapter 11. The specific rules for continuing education requirements and audits are detailed in the Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia, primarily under Chapter 150-3.
How Georgia 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 Georgia.
- The Georgia Board of Dentistry randomly selects a percentage of licensed dentists for a CE audit after each biennial renewal period.
- An official audit notice is sent to the address of record, which can be a mailing address or email.
- Upon receiving the notice, you are typically given 30 days to provide copies of your CE documentation.
- You will submit your certificates of completion and any other requested documents directly to the Board for review.
- The Board staff reviews your submission to ensure you have met the 40-hour requirement, including all mandated topics.
- Once compliance is verified, the Board will send a final notice closing the audit.
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:
- Certificates of completion issued by the course provider for each program you attended.
- Proof of current, valid certification in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) at the basic life support (BLS) level.
- The documentation for each course must include your name, the provider's name, course title, date of attendance, and the number of credit hours awarded.
- For the mandated opioid course, the certificate should clearly indicate that the topic meets the requirements of Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 43-11-41.1).
- A personal CE log or spreadsheet is a recommended tool to track your hours and ensure you have all necessary proofs before renewal.
Georgia-specific mandated topics
Beyond a total hour count, Georgia requires specific subject-matter CE within the cycle. Make sure each mandated topic is covered by a certificate that names the topic explicitly.
- **Opioid Prescribing:** At least three of your 40 required CE hours must be on the topic of proper opioid prescribing practices, per O.C.G.A. § 43-11-41.1.
- **CPR/BLS:** You must maintain a current CPR certification at all times. Per Board Rule 150-3-.09, you can claim up to 4 CE hours for completing a CPR or BLS course.
- **Clinical vs. Non-Clinical Hours:** At least 20 of the 40 hours must be in-person, scientific, and clinically-based. A maximum of 20 hours can be online or self-instructional, and a maximum of 11 hours can be in non-clinical areas like practice management.
Common pitfalls dentists run into
- Not completing the specific 3-hour opioid prescribing course.
- Failing to keep CPR/BLS certification current throughout the entire renewal cycle.
- Exceeding the maximum allowable hours for online (20 hrs) or non-clinical subjects (11 hrs).
- Misplacing certificates of completion or failing to keep them for the required four-year retention period.
- Attending courses from providers not recognized by the Georgia Board of Dentistry (e.g., ADA CERP, AGD PACE, or an accredited dental school).
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
- **Audit Passed:** If you have provided sufficient and compliant documentation, the Board will close the audit with no further action, and you will receive a notice to that effect.
- **Deficiency Notice:** If there are minor issues, such as a missing hour or document, the Board may issue a deficiency notice allowing you a short period to cure the defect, for example, by completing makeup hours.
- **Disciplinary Action:** In cases of significant non-compliance, failure to cooperate, or submission of fraudulent documents, the Board may initiate disciplinary action under O.C.G.A. § 43-11-47. This can range from a fine and public reprimand outlined in a Consent Order to, in egregious cases, suspension or revocation of your dental license.
- **Private Letter of Concern:** For less severe first-time offenses, the Board might issue a non-disciplinary, private letter of concern.
- **Fines:** The Board has the authority to levy fines for CE violations, which would be specified in a public consent order.
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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 Georgia 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 Georgia 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.