Quick facts
- Board Name
- Maryland State Board of Dental Examiners
- Renewal Cycle
- 2 years
- CE Rule Citation
- Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) 10.44.22
- Hour Requirement
- 30 hours for Dentists
- State-Mandated Topics
- Infection Control (2 hrs), Proper Prescribing (2 hrs), CPR/BLS Certification.
- Records Retention
- 4 years from the date of course completion (see COMAR 10.44.22.07)
Governing authority and what the rule requires
The Maryland State Board of Dental Examiners oversees the licensure and professional conduct of dentists in the state. Its authority comes from the Maryland Dental Practice Act, found in the Annotated Code of Maryland, Health Occupations Article, Title 4. The specific rules governing continuing education requirements and audits are detailed in the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR), specifically under Title 10, Subtitle 44, Chapter 22.
How Maryland 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 Maryland.
- Each renewal cycle, the Maryland State Board of Dental Examiners randomly selects a percentage of licensed dentists for a CE audit.
- If selected, you will receive an official audit notification letter or email from the Board.
- The notice will instruct you to submit proof of completion for the 30 CE hours you attested to on your renewal application.
- Typically, you are given 30 days to collect and submit copies of your CE certificates and any other requested documentation.
- The Board reviews your submitted documents to ensure they meet the requirements outlined in COMAR 10.44.22.
- Once the review is complete, the Board will notify you of the outcome, whether it is a successful closure or a request for more information.
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 30 CE hours claimed.
- Each certificate must include your name, the course title, the date of completion, the number of credit hours awarded, and the name of the approved course provider.
- Proof of a current, valid, hands-on CPR/BLS certification for healthcare providers.
- Documentation for the 2-hour course on infection control.
- Documentation for the 2-hour course on proper prescribing and disposal of prescription drugs.
Maryland-specific mandated topics
Beyond a total hour count, Maryland requires specific subject-matter CE within the cycle. Make sure each mandated topic is covered by a certificate that names the topic explicitly.
- A minimum of 2 of the 30 required hours must be in Infection Control (see COMAR 10.44.22.04.A(1)).
- A minimum of 2 of the 30 required hours must be on Proper Prescribing and Disposal of Prescription Drugs (see COMAR 10.44.22.04.A(2)).
- Dentists must maintain certification in Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). This course must include a hands-on component. Online-only CPR courses are not accepted.
- No more than 15 of the 30 required hours may be obtained through self-study or online courses.
Common pitfalls dentists run into
- Failing to complete the two specific mandated topics: infection control and proper prescribing.
- Misplacing CE certificates, as you must be able to produce them upon request for up to four years.
- Taking an online-only CPR course, which does not meet the Board’s requirement for a hands-on component.
- Exceeding the 15-hour maximum for self-study or online courses.
- Taking courses from a provider not recognized by the Board (see COMAR 10.44.22.05 for a list of approved program sponsors).
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 documentation is complete and accurate, the Board will close the audit with no further action.
- **Corrective Action Plan:** If a minor deficiency is found, the Board may allow you a short period to make up the missing hours and submit proof (see COMAR 10.44.22.09).
- **Formal Discipline:** Significant non-compliance, failure to cooperate, or submitting fraudulent documents is a violation of the Dental Practice Act. The Board may initiate disciplinary action, which could result in a reprimand, fines, probation, or, in severe cases, suspension of your license, as authorized under Md. Code Ann., Health Occ. § 4-315.
- **Denial of Renewal:** The Board may deny your license renewal until all CE requirements and any related disciplinary actions are fully satisfied.
- **Civil Penalty:** According to COMAR 10.44.22.09, failure to comply may result in the Board imposing a civil penalty.
- The Board may require a new criminal history records check if a license is not renewed for more than one year due to a CE deficit or other causes.
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 Maryland 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 Maryland 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.