Quick facts
- Board Name
- Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (TSBDE)
- Renewal Cycle
- 2 Years
- Rule Citation
- 22 Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 104
- Hour Requirement
- 24 hours total per two-year cycle
- State-Mandated Topics
- Opioid Prescribing (if you prescribe), a one-time Human Trafficking course, and specific distribution requirements for scientific vs. risk-management courses.
- Records Retention
- 3 years from the date of course completion
Governing authority and what the rule requires
The TSBDE is the governing body responsible for dentist licensure and regulation in Texas. Its authority comes from the Texas Dental Practice Act, primarily found in the Texas Occupations Code, Chapters 251-267. The specific rules for continuing education (CE) requirements, provider approval, and audits are detailed in 22 Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 104.
How Texas 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 Texas.
- The TSBDE randomly selects a percentage of renewing dentists for a CE audit each cycle.
- You will receive a notification letter or email from the TSBDE informing you of your selection.
- The notice will instruct you to submit copies of your CE certificates for the designated two-year renewal period.
- Generally, you are given 21-30 days to gather and submit your documentation to the Board.
- The TSBDE staff will review your submitted records for compliance with all CE rules.
- You will be notified once the review is complete, either closing the audit or requesting 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 for each CE course.
- Each certificate must include your name, the course provider’s name and number, course title, date of attendance, and the number of hours awarded.
- Proof that the course provider is approved by the TSBDE, such as an AGD PACE or ADA CERP provider number.
- A log sheet summarizing your completed courses can be helpful for your own records but is not a substitute for the official certificates.
- Documentation for any special exemptions or waivers claimed during the renewal period.
Texas-specific mandated topics
Beyond a total hour count, Texas 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 16 of your 24 total hours must be technical or scientific, related to clinical patient care. See 22 TAC §104.1.
- A maximum of 8 hours may be in risk-management subjects like ethics, jurisprudence, or practice management.
- A minimum of 8 of the 24 hours must be completed in a live, interactive format.
- If you prescribe opioids, you must complete at least 2 hours of CE on this topic every two years (see TSBDE Rule 111.1).
- A one-time human trafficking prevention course, approved by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, is required for licensure renewal (see TSBDE Rule 104.2).
- Current certification in Basic Life Support (BLS) is required for licensure but does not count toward the 24-hour CE requirement.
Common pitfalls dentists run into
- Failing to meet the specific distribution of hours (e.g., not having at least 16 scientific hours or having more than 8 risk-management hours).
- Misunderstanding the live, interactive requirement; on-demand webinars without a live Q&A component do not qualify.
- Forgetting to complete the one-time human trafficking course from an HHSC-approved provider.
- Failing to keep complete and accurate CE certificates for the required three-year period, as required by 22 TAC §104.3.
- Waiting until the last minute to complete your hours, which can lead to a shortage if a course is cancelled.
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
- **Compliance Letter:** If your records meet all requirements, the TSBDE will send a letter confirming the audit is closed with no further action.
- **Corrective Action:** For minor deficiencies, the Board may require you to make up the missing hours within a specific timeframe.
- **Administrative Penalty:** The TSBDE may assess a monetary fine for non-compliance, particularly for significant hour shortages or repeated offenses. Penalties are determined based on the Board's published penalty schedule.
- **Disciplinary Action:** In cases involving fraudulent CE documentation or a history of non-compliance, the Board may initiate formal disciplinary action, which could result in a reprimand, probation, or suspension of your license.
- **Denial of Renewal:** The Board has the authority to deny your license renewal until all CE and related penalty requirements are met.
- **Ethics Requirement:** In some cases, the Board may require the licensee to complete a specific ethics course as part of a settlement.
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 Texas 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 Texas 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.