Quick facts
- Board Name
- Louisiana State Board of Dentistry
- Renewal Cycle
- 2 years (biennial)
- Rule Citation
- La. Admin. Code tit. 46, Part XXXIII, § 1611
- Hour Requirement
- 30 hours per biennium
- State-Mandated Topics
- Opioid prescribing (3 hrs for CDS licensees), current BLS/ACLS certification
- Records Retention
- 3 years (See LAC 46:XXXIII.1611)
Governing authority and what the rule requires
The Louisiana State Board of Dentistry is the governing body responsible for licensing dentists and enforcing professional standards in the state. Its authority comes from the Louisiana Dental Practice Act, codified in La. Revised Statutes, Title 37, Chapter 9. The specific rules governing continuing education requirements and audits are detailed in the La. Admin. Code tit. 46, Part XXXIII, § 1611.
How Louisiana 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 Louisiana.
- The Board randomly selects a percentage of renewing dentists for a CE audit each renewal cycle.
- You will receive a formal notification letter or email from the Board, initiating the audit.
- Upon receiving the notice, you generally have 30 days to submit copies of your CE documentation for the specified renewal period.
- The Board staff reviews your submitted records for compliance with the CE rules.
- You will be notified once the review is complete, either closing the audit or requesting further information.
- If deficiencies are found, the Board will outline the steps needed to become compliant.
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 each CE course attended.
- The certificates should include your name, the provider's name, course title, date, and number of hours awarded.
- Proof of current certification in either Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers or Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS).
- For opioid-related courses, documentation should clearly show the topic is related to prescribing, addiction, or pain management.
- Any other records that support your attendance and completion of the claimed hours.
Louisiana-specific mandated topics
Beyond a total hour count, Louisiana 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**: Dentists who hold a Controlled Dangerous Substance (CDS) license must complete at least three hours of CE related to opioid prescribing, addiction, or pain management per renewal cycle, as required by LAC 46:XXXIII.1611.
- **CPR/BLS**: All licensed dentists must maintain a current certification in Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers or Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS). This does not count toward the 30-hour total but is a condition of licensure.
- **Clinical vs. Non-Clinical Hours**: At at least 24 of the 30 required hours must be on clinical topics. A remaining hours may be related to practice management or personal development (see LAC 46:XXXIII.1611).
Common pitfalls dentists run into
- **Forgetting Opioid CE**: Failing to complete and document the mandatory 3 hours on opioids/pain management if you prescribe is a common point of non-compliance.
- **Lapsed BLS/ACLS**: Letting your BLS or ACLS certification expire is a violation, even if your other CE hours are complete.
- **Recordkeeping Failures**: Not keeping your CE certificates for the required three-year retention period can make it impossible to respond to an audit properly.
- **Exceeding Hour Limits**: Claiming non-clinical courses beyond board limits for practice management subjects.
- **Unapproved Providers**: Assuming any course will count. CE must be provided by an approved entity as defined in the Board's rules (see LAC 46:XXXIII.1611).
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 meet all requirements, the Board will close the audit with no further action.
- **Deficiency Notice**: If you have a shortfall of hours or are missing a mandatory topic, the Board may allow you a specific period to make up the missing hours, per LAC 46:XXXIII.1611.
- **Disciplinary Action**: Significant non-compliance, failure to respond to the audit, or providing fraudulent records is a violation of the Dental Practice Act. The Board has the authority to issue fines, reprimands, or other administrative penalties up to and including suspension or revocation of your license (see La. R.S. 37:776). The Board may assess all costs of the hearing to the licensee.
- **License Renewal Denial**: The Board may deny your license renewal until all CE deficiencies are corrected and any related disciplinary matters are resolved.
- **Public Record**: Formal disciplinary actions are typically public record, which can impact your professional reputation.
- **Fine**: The Board has the authority to levy fines for violations of its rules.
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 Louisiana 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 Louisiana 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.