Quick facts
- Board Name
- Hawaii Board of Dental Examiners
- Renewal Cycle
- 2 Years (Biennial, ending June 30 of even-numbered years)
- Rule Citation
- Hawaii Administrative Rules (HAR) Title 16, Chapter 80
- Hour Requirement
- 30 Continuing Education Hours
- State-Mandated Topics
- Basic Life Support (BLS) for healthcare providers is required.
- Records Retention
- 4 Years after the biennium in which the course was taken (HAR §16-80-5(c))
Governing authority and what the rule requires
Continuing education for Hawaii dentists is overseen by the Hawaii Board of Dental Examiners. The board's authority stems from the State of Hawaii's Dental Practice Act, found in Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) Chapter 448. The specific rules guiding CE requirements, course approval, and audits are detailed in Hawaii Administrative Rules (HAR) Title 16, Chapter 80.
How Hawaii 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 Hawaii.
- After each renewal period, the Board randomly selects a percentage of licensed dentists for a CE audit.
- You will receive an official audit notice from the Board, typically by mail or email, instructing you on the next steps.
- You are required to submit certificates of completion for all 30 hours of CE claimed during the renewal period.
- The Board staff reviews your submitted documentation to verify compliance with HAR Title 16, Chapter 80.
- You will be notified of the audit's outcome, which could be a successful closure, a request for more information, or a notice of non-compliance.
- The Board provides a specific timeframe, usually 30-60 days, to gather and submit your documents.
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 for each CE course.
- Proof of current certification in Basic Life Support (BLS) for the Healthcare Provider.
- Each certificate should clearly state your name, the course provider's name, the course title and content, the date of the course, and the number of credit hours awarded, per HAR §16-80-5.
- For any self-study or correspondence courses, ensure they are from recognized providers like the ADA or AGD and do not exceed the maximum allowed hours.
- Documentation should be clear, legible, and demonstrate the course was taken within the correct biennial period.
Hawaii-specific mandated topics
Beyond a total hour count, Hawaii requires specific subject-matter CE within the cycle. Make sure each mandated topic is covered by a certificate that names the topic explicitly.
- Current certification in Basic Life Support (BLS) for the Healthcare Provider is a core requirement for every renewal cycle.
- While not a specific hourly mandate, CE in clinical topics directly related to patient care must constitute the majority of your hours.
- A maximum of eight (8) CE hours per biennium may be obtained in the area of practice management (see HAR §16-80-2(d)).
- A maximum of twenty (20) hours may be from "other approved activities" which can include correspondence courses, subject to board rules (see HAR §16-80-3(b)).
Common pitfalls dentists run into
- Failing to maintain current BLS certification throughout the entire renewal period.
- Exceeding the 8-hour limit for practice management courses or the 20-hour limit for other approved activities like self-study.
- Losing your CE certificates or being unable to produce them when audited. Per HAR §16-80-5(c), you must retain these records for four years.
- Taking courses from unapproved providers. The rules favor providers recognized by the American Dental Association (ADA CERP) and the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD PACE).
- Failing to complete the full 30 hours within the correct biennial period (July 1 of an even year to June 30 of the next even year).
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
- Successful Audit: You receive a notice from the board that your audit is closed with no further action needed.
- Request for Clarification: You may be asked to provide more information or a more detailed certificate if a submission is unclear.
- Disciplinary Action: If non-compliance is found, the Board may initiate disciplinary action under Hawaii Revised Statutes §448-17. This can range from a fine and a requirement to make up the missing hours to, in severe cases, probation, suspension, or revocation of your license. Disciplinary actions are typically public record.
- Non-Disciplinary Citation: For minor deficiencies, the board may have the option to issue a citation with a small fine as an alternative to formal discipline.
- Rejection of Hours: The Board can reject hours that do not meet the criteria, potentially making you deficient and triggering further action.
- No carry-over of hours. Per HAR §16-80-2(c), excess hours cannot be used for the next renewal cycle.
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 Hawaii 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 Hawaii 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.