Colorado Dental License Renewal: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Colorado dental license renewal at a glance

Renewing your Colorado dental license is a straightforward process, but missing a deadline or failing to document your CE correctly can result in a lapsed license and disciplinary action. This guide walks through everything you need to know to renew on time and stay compliant.

• Renewal cycle: Every 2 years
• Expiration: Your birthday month, every 2 years
• CE required: 30 hours for dentists and hygienists
• Mandatory CE topic: 2 hours of infection control
• Licensing body: Colorado Dental Board, under DORA
• Record retention: Keep CE certificates for at least 4 years

Who manages Colorado dental license renewal?

The Colorado Dental Board, operating under the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), manages all dental license renewals in the state. This includes dentists, dental hygienists, and dental therapists. Renewals are processed through the DORA online licensing portal, and the Board sends renewal reminders to the email address on file approximately 90 days before your expiration date.

Keeping your contact information current with DORA is critical. If your email address is outdated, you may miss your renewal reminder entirely.

When does my Colorado dental license expire?

Colorado dental licenses expire on the last day of your birthday month every 2 years. For example, if your birthday is in March and your license was issued in an even-numbered year, your license expires at the end of March every even-numbered year.

To confirm your exact expiration date, log in to the DORA online licensing portal using your license number. Your expiration date will be displayed on your license record.

CE requirements you must meet before renewal

Before you can renew your Colorado dental license, you must complete your required continuing education for the current renewal cycle. Colorado requires:

• Dentists: 30 hours of CE from ADA CERP or AGD PACE approved providers
• Dental hygienists: 30 hours of CE from ADA CERP or AGD PACE approved providers
• All licensees: At least 2 of those hours must cover infection control

Colorado does not require you to submit CE certificates at renewal. Instead, you attest to your completion under penalty of perjury when you submit your renewal application. However, the Colorado Dental Board conducts random audits and you must be able to produce documentation for all CE completed in the current and previous cycle if selected.

Step-by-step Colorado dental license renewal process

Here is exactly how to renew your Colorado dental license:

1. Complete your CE hours: Finish all 30 required hours, including the 2-hour infection control requirement, before your expiration date. Do not wait until the last minute.
2. Gather your CE certificates: Collect certificates of completion from every course you completed during the renewal cycle. Organize them by date and provider.
3. Log in to the DORA portal: Access the DORA online licensing system using your license number and password. If you have forgotten your login credentials, use the password reset function on the portal.
4. Complete the renewal application: Fill out the renewal form, which includes personal information verification, CE attestation, and any required disclosures about disciplinary actions or criminal history.
5. Attest to your CE completion: You will certify that you have completed all required CE hours for the renewal cycle, including the infection control requirement.
6. Pay the renewal fee: Current fees are approximately 0 for dentists and 0 for dental hygienists, though fees are subject to change. Verify the current fee on the DORA website before submitting.
7. Submit your application: Once submitted, your license renewal is typically processed within a few business days if there are no issues.
8. Retain your CE certificates: File all certificates somewhere safe. The Colorado Dental Board can audit your CE records going back 4 years.

What happens if you are selected for a CE audit?

The Colorado Dental Board conducts random CE audits on a percentage of licensees at each renewal cycle. If you are selected for an audit, you will receive a notice from the Board requesting documentation of your completed CE hours.

When responding to a CE audit, you will need to provide:

• Certificates of completion for every CE course you listed in your attestation
• Provider name and accreditation status for each course
• Course title, date completed, and number of CE hours awarded

If you cannot produce documentation for CE hours you attested to completing, the Board may take disciplinary action, including fines or license suspension. This is why retaining all CE certificates for at least 4 years is so important.

What happens if your Colorado dental license lapses?

If you do not renew your license before the expiration date, your license lapses. A lapsed license does not automatically mean you need to retake board exams or start the licensing process over, but it does require action.

To reinstate a lapsed Colorado dental license:

• Contact the Colorado Dental Board directly to initiate the reinstatement process
• Pay a reinstatement fee in addition to the standard renewal fee
• Certify completion of all required CE for the lapsed period
• Submit the reinstatement application through the DORA portal

Practicing dentistry or dental hygiene in Colorado with a lapsed license is a violation of state law and can result in significant disciplinary action, including formal Board action and fines. If you realize your license has lapsed, stop practicing and contact the Board immediately.

Common Colorado dental license renewal mistakes to avoid

These are the most common mistakes Colorado dental professionals make when renewing their licenses:

• Waiting too long to start CE: Trying to complete 30 hours in the final weeks of your renewal cycle is stressful and limits your course options. Start early and spread your CE throughout the 2-year period.
• Using non-accredited providers: Not every dental CE course is offered by an ADA CERP or AGD PACE approved provider. Always verify accreditation before registering. Non-accredited hours will not count toward your renewal requirement.
• Forgetting the infection control requirement: The 2-hour infection control requirement is easy to overlook if you are focused on clinical topics. Make it one of the first courses you complete each cycle.
• Not keeping certificates: Discarding CE certificates after renewal is a common mistake. The Board can audit you for up to 4 years back, so keep everything.
• Outdated contact information: If DORA has an old email address for you, you will not receive renewal reminders. Log in to the portal and verify your contact details are current.
• Missing the renewal window: Your license expires at the end of your birthday month. Mark this date in your calendar with a reminder 90 days out.

How to meet your 30-hour requirement without the stress

The most efficient way for Colorado dental professionals to meet their CE requirement is through a dental society membership. CPS membership gives you access to a full calendar of AGD PACE approved CE events throughout the year, making it easy to accumulate 30 hours without scrambling at the last minute.

Each full-day CPS seminar awards 6 AGD CE credits. Attending 5 events over the course of a year covers your full 30-hour requirement, with time to spare. CPS also offers Elevate events, which award 2 CE credits each, giving you flexible options for completing your hours on your schedule.

CPS membership starts at 00 per year for dentists in their first 5 years of practice, making it one of the most affordable CE options available to Colorado dental professionals.

Frequently asked questions about Colorado dental license renewal

Can I renew my Colorado dental license early?

Yes. DORA typically opens the renewal window approximately 90 days before your expiration date. You can complete your CE and submit your renewal application as soon as the window opens.

Can I practice while my renewal is being processed?

Yes. If you submit your renewal application before your license expires, you can continue practicing while the renewal is being processed, as long as you have a confirmation of submission from DORA.

What if I completed CE hours in another state?

CE hours earned from ADA CERP or AGD PACE approved providers count toward your Colorado renewal requirement regardless of where the course was held.

Do I need to complete new CE topics each renewal cycle or can I repeat the same courses?

Colorado does not prohibit repeating CE topics between cycles. However, repeating the exact same course from the same provider in back-to-back cycles is generally discouraged from a professional development standpoint, and some providers may not award credit for repeat completions.

How do I update my contact information with DORA?

Log in to the DORA online licensing portal and navigate to your profile settings. You can update your email address, mailing address, and phone number directly through the portal.

What is the renewal fee for a Colorado dental license?

Current renewal fees are approximately 0 for dentists and 0 for dental hygienists. These fees are subject to change, so verify the current amount on the DORA website before submitting your renewal.

Can I get an extension on my Colorado dental license renewal?

Colorado does not typically grant renewal extensions. If you are unable to complete your CE before your expiration date due to extenuating circumstances such as a medical emergency, contact the Colorado Dental Board directly to discuss your situation before your license expires.