Become a recognized provider

Providers should review the ADA CERP eligibility requirements and Recognition Standards and Procedures (PDF) in order to understand program expectations.

ADA CERP defines a CE provider as an agency (institution, organization, or individual) responsible for developing, organizing, administering, publicizing, presenting, and keeping records for a continuing dental education program.

Institutions, organizations or major units or departments within an institution/organization (e.g., an oral and maxillofacial surgery department of a medical center) may be eligible to apply for recognition.

To be eligible for ADA CERP recognition, a provider must:

• Develop and present CE on a regular basis, and have planned, implemented and evaluated at least one CE activity in the last 12 months;
• Operate under the oversight of an independent CE advisory committee;
• Offer courses that are based in accepted science;
• Not be a commercial interest, as defined by ADA CERP.

Review the complete ADA CERP Eligibility Criteria in the ADA CERP Standards and Procedures (PDF).
Providers that are based outside the United States and Canada must meet additional requirements outlined in the Pre-application Process for International Providers (PDF).

The Commission for Continuing Education Provider Recognition reserves the right to determine a provider’s eligibility based on the CERP Eligibility Criteria.

Commercial interests: Self-assessment questions

ADA CERP Eligibility Criteria and Recognition Standards require that continuing dental education is developed and administered separately from and independent of commercial interests. ADA CERP defines a commercial interest as:

(1) An individual or entity that produces, markets, re-sells or distributes health care goods or services consumed by, or used on, patients, or (2) an individual or entity that is owned or controlled by an individual or entity that produces, markets, resells, or distributes health care goods or services consumed by, or used on, patients. Providing clinical services directly to or for patients (e.g., a dental practice, dental lab, or diagnostic lab) does not, by itself, make an individual or entity a commercial interest.

Providers may review the commercial interest self-assessment questions (PDF) to help determine whether they are considered commercial interests, as defined by ADA CERP. If a provider answers yes to any of these questions they would be considered a commercial interest.

If after answering these questions, a provider still has questions as to whether it is a commercial interest, it may request the Commission to conduct a separate CERP Business Structure Review. This is an optional process to assist organizations determine whether they are a commercial interest.

Contact CCEPR staff to request information about the Business Structure Review. There is a $400 fee for providers requesting this service.

View FAQs on Commercial Interest (PDF)

CE providers seeking ADA CERP recognition must first demonstrate that they meet CERP Eligibility Criteria though the Pre-application process. 

Providers based in the United States or Canada should:

1. Review the ADA CERP eligibility requirements to learn if the organization is eligible to apply.
2. Review the ADA CERP Recognition Standards and Procedures (PDF) to understand the expectations of recognized providers.
3. Review CERP application deadlines. Pre-applications may be submitted at any time. Providers submitting Pre-applications by March 15th, and that the Commission finds eligible, will be invited to apply in the Fall cycle of that year. Providers submitting Pre-applications by October 1st, and that the Commission finds eligible, will be invited to apply in the Spring cycle of the following year. Providers that wish to apply in a later cycle may opt to do so, within the timeframe specified by the Commission.
4. Submit a completed Pre-Application for ADA CERP Recognition: Determination of Eligibility form (DOCX).
5. Pay Pre-Application fee (PDF)

Pre-Applications will be reviewed by the Commission for Continuing Education Provider Recognition. The Commission will notify the provider, usually within eight weeks, as to whether the provider is eligible to apply for CERP recognition. 

Continuing dental education providers whose primary location is outside the United States or Canada (international providers) may seek ADA CERP recognition for the purpose of obtaining an independent external review, for benchmarking, or to serve the continuing education needs of dental professionals.

International providers interested in participating in ADA CERP must meet additional eligibility criteria outlined in the CERP Policy on the Pre-Application Process for International Providers (PPIP) (PDF) and submit a Pre-Application Eligibility Survey (DOCX). Providers that meet the PPIP requirements will be invited by the Commission to submit a Standard Application for ADA CERP recognition.

1. Review the ADA CERP Pre-Application Process for International Providers (PDF) to learn if the organization is eligible to apply. 
2. Review the ADA CERP Recognition Standards and Procedures to understand the expectations of recognized providers.
3. Review CERP application deadlines. Pre-applications may be submitted at any time. Eligible providers will be invited to submit an application according to published application deadlines. Providers that wish to apply in a later cycle may opt to do so, within the timeframe specified by the Commission. Providers must complete all PPIP requirements within 18 months of notification of eligibility.
4. Submit a completed Pre-Application Eligibility Survey for International Providers (DOCX) and attach all requested documents.
5. Pay Pre-application Fee for International Providers (PDF). 

Pre-Applications will be reviewed by the Commission for Continuing Education Provider Recognition. The Commission will notify the provider, usually within eight weeks, as to whether the provider is eligible to apply for CERP recognition. 

Providers that have submitted a Pre-application and that the Commission has found to be eligible will be invited to apply for CERP recognition. The Commission will supply application materials and instructions for the next application deadline. Applications are accepted twice a year, usually in January and June, according to the published schedule.

The ADA CERP application assesses a continuing dental education provider’s compliance with the ADA CERP Recognition Standards through a review of the provider’s operational policies and procedures and documentation from several CE activities. The application includes a self-assessment component in which the provider identifies its strengths and any areas where improvements are needed, based upon defined descriptions of the CERP Standards. The self-assessment is intended to stimulate the organization’s growth as a provider of continuing dental education.

An example of the CERP Standard Application form (DOCX) and instructions (PDF) are available for review.

Providers seeking initial CERP recognition should:

1. Review examples of the ADA CERP Standard Application Form and Instructions to learn what information and documents will be requested.
2. Read application instructions carefully.
3. Complete and submit application form supplied by the Commission. Include all requested documents as directed in the application instructions. Submit application and requested documents by the specified deadline.
4. Pay new application fee. Refer to current fees for providers in the United States and Canada (PDF) and current fees for international providers (PDF).
5. Applications submitted by the deadline will be reviewed at the Commission’s next regularly scheduled meeting. Applications will not be accepted after the deadline.
6. Providers will be notified of the recognition decision according to the published schedule.

Providers will receive a decision report describing the required criteria for compliance, and some standard language describing requirements the provider did not fully meet.

The Commission for Continuing Education Provider Recognition may take one of several actions on an initial application.

Recognition approved. New applicants may be awarded an initial recognition period of two years. If recognition is granted, the Commission will inform the provider of:

• The effective dates of the recognition term;
• Procedures for maintaining recognition after the initial recognition term;
• Requirements and recommendations for improvements to the provider’s CE program;
• The authorized statement that must be used to announce ADA CERP recognition.

Recognition is effective the first day of the month of May or November after action is taken by the Commission. In no case will recognition be granted retroactively or prior to action taken by the Commission.

Action postponed. If the Commission determine that more information is required to make a decision regarding recognition status, the Commission may postpone action pending submission of additional information or a new application.

Recognition denied. If the Commission finds that an application does not demonstrate that the provider meets the ADA CERP Standards, the provider is denied recognition. The provider will receive a decision report citing the ADA CERP requirements and recommendations for improvements to the provider’s CE program. The Commission will also supply information about the process and timeline for requesting reconsideration.

Review the procedures for an adverse action.