New York State CE Course Requirements
As described by New York State’s licensing and regulatory authority, Office of the Professions of the NYS Education Department, courses should be sponsored through an approved provider, including NYDHA, and be on approved subject matter – see below for topics and click here for information and providers.
Practicing hygienists in New York State are required to take 24 credit hours every three years (license renewal is every three years). At least 14 of those hours must be live programs - those in which you are able to interact with the instructor.
RDHs also must take:
Child abuse and maltreatment training to apply initially for licensure or for a limited permit (Education Law, Section 6507(3)(a)). Since September 1, 1990, programs registered by New York State that lead to such licensure or certification have been required to include the 2-hour child abuse training. A 2021 amendment to Social Services Law § 413 to requires additional training for mandated reporters, including dental hygienists and including those who have previously undergone the current training, to complete an updated training curriculum by April 1, 2025. The new coursework involves protocols to reduce implicit bias in decision-making processes, strategies for identifying adverse childhood experiences, and guidelines to assist in recognizing signs of abuse or maltreatment while interacting virtually within the NYS Mandated Identification and Reporting of Child Abuse and Maltreatment/Neglect coursework. Read more. List of Approved Training Providers
Infection control course, every four years (Education Law, Section 6505-b). You must attest to having completed this on your first licensure / registration application and at every subsequent registration. For a list of providers, go to the Office of the Professions web site here
Appropriate Course Subjects: The subject matter must contribute to dental hygiene professional practice as defined in Education Law Section 6601. Such subjects include:
- basic and clinical dental sciences
- behavioral science
- pharmacology of new and developing drugs
- drug interactions
- public health issues
- child abuse reporting
- infection control
- sterile procedures
- legal or regulatory issues
- patient counseling
- risk management
- other topics that contribute to the practice of your profession; and
- other matters of health care, law, and ethics that contribute to the public's health and welfare
Recordkeeping: When you complete a continuing education program, you’ll be provided with a certificate by an approved provider which you should keep in your records in the event you are asked to produce these in the future. You’ll need to attest to fulfilling required coursework on your first licensure and on renewals.