Quick facts
- Board Name
- New Hampshire Board of Dental Examiners
- Renewal Cycle
- 2 years (biennially), ending March 31 of odd-numbered years
- Rule Citation
- N.H. Code Admin. R. Den 402
- Hour Requirement
- 40 hours
- State-Mandated Topics
- 3 hours in opioid prescribing/pain management (RSA 317-A:28-a); current CPR/BLS certification.
- Records Retention
- 4 years (N.H. Code Admin. R. Den 402.04(c))
Governing authority and what the rule requires
In New Hampshire, the practice of dentistry is governed by the New Hampshire Board of Dental Examiners. The board's authority comes from state law, specifically the Dental Practice Act found in a statute known as RSA 317-A. The detailed rules for continuing education (CE), including audit procedures, are published in the New Hampshire Code of Administrative Rules, primarily in chapter Den 402.
How New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire.
- The board office randomly selects a percentage of licensed dentists for a CE audit each renewal period.
- If you are selected, you will receive an audit notice from the Board of Dental Examiners, typically by mail or email.
- You usually have 30 days from the date of the notice to gather and submit copies of your CE certificates and any other requested documentation.
- The board staff reviews your submission to verify that you completed 40 hours and met all specific requirements, such as the opioid course and CPR.
- You will receive a final determination, which may be a successful closure letter or a notification of a deficiency that requires further action.
- You will receive a final determination, which may be a successful closure letter or a notification of a deficiency that requires further action.
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 from the course provider.
- Documentation must clearly show the licensee's name and license number.
- The course title, date of the course, and number of credit hours earned.
- The name of the course provider or sponsoring organization.
- Proof of current, in-person certification in Basic Life Support (BLS) or CPR.
New Hampshire-specific mandated topics
Beyond a total hour count, New Hampshire 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 prescribers of opioids must complete 3 hours of board-approved CE in pain management and addiction disorders, as required by statute RSA 317-A:28-a.
- Basic Life Support (BLS): Dentists must maintain a current certification from an in-person course. According to Den 402.02, up to 4 CE hours may be claimed for this certification per biennium.
- Infection Control: While there is no specific hourly mandate, courses in infection control are explicitly approved by the board and are considered a core competency reviewed during an audit.
Common pitfalls dentists run into
- Forgetting to complete the state-mandated 3-hour course on opioid prescribing and pain management, which is a specific statutory requirement.
- Letting your BLS/CPR certification lapse or taking a fully online version when an in-person component is expected.
- Failing to retain your CE certificates for the required 4-year period, as stated in Den 402.04(c).
- Exceeding the 4-hour credit limit for courses in practice management, as specified in Den 402.02(b).
- Assuming that CE from any provider is acceptable. Ensure the provider and subject matter are appropriate under board rules.
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: The most common outcome is a successful audit, resulting in a closure letter confirming your compliance.
- Remediation: For a minor hour shortage, the board may require you to complete the missing hours in a "cure period" and may also issue a fine.
- Administrative Fine: The board has the authority under RSA 317-A:17 to levy administrative fines for violations of the practice act, including CE non-compliance.
- Formal Discipline: In cases of significant deficiencies, repeated violations, or fraudulent submissions, the board may initiate a formal disciplinary action, which could result in a reprimand, suspension, or other license restrictions becoming part of your public record.
- Formal Discipline: In cases of significant deficiencies, repeated violations, or fraudulent submissions, the board may initiate a formal disciplinary action, which could result in a reprimand, suspension, or other license restrictions becoming part of your public record.
- Formal Discipline: In cases of significant deficiencies, repeated violations, or fraudulent submissions, the board may initiate a formal disciplinary action, which could result in a reprimand, suspension, or other license restrictions becoming part of your public record.
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 New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire 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.
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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.