Quick facts
- Board Name
- Indiana State Board of Dentistry
- Renewal Cycle
- 2 Years (biennial), ending June 30 of even-numbered years
- Governing Rule
- 828 IAC 5
- Hour Requirement
- 20 hours per biennium
- State-Mandated Topics
- 2 hours in Opioid Prescribing; active CPR/BLS certification (hours do not count toward the 20-hour total).
- Records Retention
- 3 years from the end of the renewal period (see 828 IAC 5-2-7)
Governing authority and what the rule requires
The Indiana State Board of Dentistry is the governing body responsible for licensing and regulating dentists in the state. The board's authority comes from the Indiana Dental Practice Act, codified in Indiana Code Title 25, Article 14. The specific rules for continuing education and the audit process are detailed in Title 828 of the Indiana Administrative Code (IAC), Chapter 5.
How Indiana 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 Indiana.
- The Indiana State Board of Dentistry randomly selects a percentage of licensees for a compliance audit after each renewal period.
- If selected, you will receive a notification letter or email from the board requesting proof of your completed CE.
- You will have 30 days from the date of the request to submit copies of your CE certificates of completion to the board.
- The board staff reviews your submitted documentation to ensure it meets the requirements of 828 IAC 5.
- You will be notified once the review is complete, either closing the audit or requesting further information or action.
- Licensees typically submit documentation through the state's online licensing portal or via mail as directed in the audit notice.
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:
- Copies of certificates of completion for all 20 hours of CE.
- Each certificate should clearly show the course title, date of completion, name of the provider, number of credit hours earned, and verification of attendance.
- A copy of your current, active certification card for Basic Life Support (BLS) or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
- Proof that courses meet the standards outlined by the board, especially for the opioid requirement and the limits on self-study.
- Any other records specified in the board's audit notification letter.
Indiana-specific mandated topics
Beyond a total hour count, Indiana 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: All dentists must complete 2 hours of CE on opioid prescribing and abuse (828 IAC 5-1-5).
- Basic Life Support: You must maintain an active certification in BLS or CPR. The hours for this certification course do not count toward the 20-hour requirement but are mandatory for renewal (828 IAC 5-1-4).
- Live vs. Self-Study: At least 10 of your 20 required hours must be from live, interactive courses. A maximum of 10 hours can be from self-study, distance learning, or online courses (828 IAC 5-1-2).
- Ethics and Jurisprudence: While not strictly required, you may apply a maximum of 2 hours of CE in ethics, professional responsibility, or the Indiana Dental Practice Act toward your 20-hour total.
Common pitfalls dentists run into
- Forgetting the 2-hour opioid CE requirement, which is a common and easily avoidable error.
- Counting your CPR/BLS certification course hours toward the 20-hour total; this is a separate renewal requirement.
- Exceeding the 10-hour maximum for self-study, distance learning, or online courses.
- Failing to keep complete and accurate certificates for up to three years after the renewal cycle ends.
- Using a CE provider that is not approved or accepted by the Indiana State Board of Dentistry.
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
- No Action: If your records are complete and accurate, the board will close the audit with no further action.
- Request for More Information: The board may ask for clarification or additional documentation if there are questions about your submission.
- Remediation: If you are found to be deficient in your hours, the board may require you to complete the missing CE within a specific timeframe.
- Disciplinary Action: In cases of significant noncompliance or fraudulent submissions, the board can take disciplinary action under IC 25-1-9. This may include a formal letter of reprimand, fines (civil penalties), probation, or other sanctions as deemed appropriate by the board.
- A finding of non-compliance can be deemed professional misconduct and become part of your permanent licensure record.
- The board may, at its discretion, impose a civil penalty in addition to requiring the completion of deficient hours.
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 Indiana 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 Indiana 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.