ADA CERP recognition

ADA CERP offers dental professionals a way to select quality continuing dental education with confidence.

About the CERP application process

The ADA CERP application process evaluates providers of continuing education for compliance with the ADA CERP Recognition Standards and Procedures (PDF). ADA CERP promotes improvements in continuing dental education through periodic reevaluation.

ADA CERP defines continuing dental education  as educational activities which serve to maintain, develop, or increase the knowledge, skills, and professional performance and relationships that a dentist uses to provide services for patients, the public, or the profession. The objective is to enhance and update the knowledge base of dentists, strengthen critical thinking skills and support an evidence-based, ethical practice of dentistry. The content of continuing dental education is that body of knowledge and skills generally recognized and accepted by the profession as within the basic medical and dental sciences, the discipline of clinical dentistry, and the provision of oral healthcare to the public. 

ADA CERP approves organizations that provide continuing dental education for dental professionals. ADA CERP does not approve individual educational activities.

Applications are reviewed and recognition is awarded by the ADA Commission for Continuing Education Provider Recognition.

 

 
Become a CERP provider
Learn about the process to become an ADA CERP provider.
Maintain CERP recognition
Learn how to maintain your ADA CERP recognition after initial recognition.
View CERP providers
Search for ADA CERP-recognized providers.
Resources for CE providers
Get guidance on maintaining CERP recognition, including sample documents and FAQs.

General program information

Application milestones and timelines

Upcoming Application Cycles

Pre-Application Determination of Eligibility forms and Pre-Application Process for International Providers (PPIPs) may be submitted at any time. The Commission will notify the provider, usually within eight weeks, as to whether the provider is eligible to apply for CERP recognition. Providers that are determined to be eligible will be invited to submit an application for initial recognition according to the schedule below.

Providers are encouraged to submit pre-applications as early as possible in order to allow ample time to prepare the comprehensive application.

Applications for recognition and continued recognition are accepted and reviewed by the Commission twice a year. Applications will not be accepted after the published deadline. Important dates for current review cycles are listed below. 

Spring 2025

Pre-Applications and PPIPs— Oct 1, 2024

New providers intending to submit an application in this cycle must submit a pre-application by this date. Providers submitting pre-applications after this date and that are determined to be eligible will be invited to apply in the next application cycle.

APPLICATION DEADLINE— Jan 17, 2025
COMMISSION MEETING— April 2025
DECISION REPORTS SENT TO APPLICANT— May 2025
NEW RECOGNITION TERM BEGINS— May 2025

Fall 2025

Pre-Applications and PPIPs— March 15, 2025

New providers intending to submit an application in this cycle must submit a pre-application by this date. Providers submitting pre-applications after this date and that are determined to be eligible will be invited to apply in the next application cycle.

APPLICATION DEADLINE— June 27, 2025
COMMISSION MEETING— Sept 2025
DECISION REPORTS SENT TO APPLICANT— Oct 2025
NEW RECOGNITION TERM BEGINS— Nov 2025


Fees

Continuing education providers that are not currently ADA CERP recognized must pay a non-refundable fee when submitting a pre-application to determine eligibility and an application fee when submitting an application for initial recognition. Once approved, CERP recognized providers must also pay an annual fee. No annual fee will be required in the year the provider receives initial CERP recognition.

ADA CERP fees are based on the operating expenses of the program. A schedule of current fees is published below:

View fees for providers in the U.S. and Canada (PDF)

View fees for international CE providers outside the U.S. and Canada (PDF)

The Commission will view non-payment of all required fees within the established deadline(s) as a decision by the provider to voluntarily withdraw from ADA CERP. The name of the previously recognized  provider will be removed from the list of ADA CERP recognized providers when it is next published. Any provider wishing to reinstate its recognition following discontinuation for non-payment of fees will be required to submit an ADA CERP Pre-Application and follow the established procedures for recognition.

Acceptance

All licensing jurisdictions within the United States and Canada with CE requirements for licensure renewal accept credits offered by ADA CERP-recognized providers. Each licensing jurisdiction may have additional criteria that must be met.