Quick facts
- Board Name
- Washington State Dental Quality Assurance Commission (DQAC)
- Renewal Cycle
- Three years.
- Rule Citation
- WAC 246-817-440
- Hour Requirement
- 63 hours per three-year cycle.
- State-Mandated Topics
- Suicide Prevention, Opioid Prescribing, Health Equity, Basic Life Support (BLS).
- Records Retention
- Four years (see WAC 246-12-190).
Governing authority and what the rule requires
Your continuing education and license renewal are governed by the Washington State Dental Quality Assurance Commission (DQAC). The Commission's authority comes from the Dental Practice Act, found in the Revised Code of Washington, specifically RCW Chapter 18.32. The detailed rules for CE, including audit procedures, are outlined in the Washington Administrative Code (WAC) in Chapter 246-817, with a focus on WAC 246-817-440.
How Washington 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 Washington.
- The Department of Health randomly selects a percentage of renewing dentists for a CE audit each year.
- You will receive an official audit notification letter or email from the Department with instructions and a deadline.
- You are required to submit copies of your CE certificates and any other requested proof through the Department of Health's online portal.
- The DQAC or its staff will review your submitted documentation for compliance with the CE rules.
- You will receive a final determination, either closing the audit or requesting further information or action.
- This guide provides a general overview and is not a substitute for legal advice. Consult the official DQAC rules and the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) for complete details.
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 course.
- Proof of attendance that includes the licensee's name, course title, date of attendance, and number of hours earned.
- Name and contact information for the CE provider.
- Verification of the provider's approval status (if applicable).
- A current Basic Life Support (BLS) training card or certificate.
Washington-specific mandated topics
Beyond a total hour count, Washington requires specific subject-matter CE within the cycle. Make sure each mandated topic is covered by a certificate that names the topic explicitly.
- Suicide Prevention: A one-time, six-hour course is required, followed by a three-hour course every six years thereafter (WAC 246-817-440(5)).
- Opioid Prescribing: A one-time requirement for one hour of training related to best practices in prescribing opioids (WAC 246-817-440(6)).
- Health Equity: A minimum of two hours of health equity training is required every four years (see WAC 246-12-830).
- Basic Life Support (BLS): You must maintain current BLS certification for health care providers. The hours count toward your 63-hour total.
Common pitfalls dentists run into
- Forgetting a mandated topic, such as the specific suicide prevention or health equity training hours.
- Miscalculating the three-year reporting cycle and coming up short on hours.
- Failing to keep organized, digital or physical copies of all your CE completion certificates.
- Not ensuring your BLS certification remains current throughout the entire reporting period.
- Assuming a course qualifies when it is not from an approved provider type as defined by the Commission.
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 meets all requirements, the audit is closed with no further action.
- Deficiency Resolution: If there are minor issues, you may be required to complete make-up hours within a specific timeframe.
- Statement of Charges: Significant non-compliance, such as a major hour shortage or submitting fraudulent records, can be considered unprofessional conduct under the Uniform Disciplinary Act (RCW 18.130).
- Discipline: Confirmed violations may result in sanctions ranging from fines and remedial education to formal disciplinary action against your license.
- This guide is for informational purposes and not a substitute for legal advice. Always refer to the official DQAC publications.
- Your guide to a calm and successful CE audit.
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 Washington 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 Washington 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.