ADA CERP vs. AGD PACE: What Dentists Need to Know Before You Register

Audience: dentists of all specialties, hygienists, practice owners, and CE coordinators.

Executive Summary

ADA CERP and AGD PACE are programs that recognize continuing dental education providers meeting defined quality standards. Recognition can help you identify reputable providers, but state dental boards decide what counts toward renewal. Before paying for a live course, verify the provider in the official directory, confirm hours and credit type, check any state-mandated topics, and make sure you will get proper documentation.

The Basics: What Recognition Actually Means

• Provider-level, not course-level: both programs recognize organizations, not individual courses or speakers.
• Quality systems: planning, valid content, disclosures, evaluations, and recordkeeping are required by these programs.
• Not automatic state approval: recognition signals quality, but your state board sets the rules for what counts.

ADA CERP Overview

ADA CERP evaluates CE providers against published standards and policies. Recognized providers must demonstrate appropriate needs assessment, learning objectives, content validity, disclosure of commercial interests, and learner evaluation. The ADA maintains a public directory where you can verify a provider’s recognition status and dates.

• What to expect: clear objectives, credit hours listed, disclosure statements, and a certificate upon completion.
• How to verify: search the ADA CERP provider directory and confirm that the legal name and recognition dates match what you see on the course page.

AGD PACE Overview

AGD PACE recognizes CE organizations that meet standards for planning, content validity, evaluation, and record retention. Approval is at the organization level; AGD provides directories to look up approved providers. PACE also uses subject codes that map topics to specialties and core content areas, which can help you organize your CE portfolio.

• What to expect: defined objectives, hours and credit type, evaluation forms, and timely certificates.
• How to verify: search the AGD PACE approved provider listings and confirm current approval dates.

Key Differences at a Glance

State Board Considerations: Credits, Mandated Topics, and Nuances

State boards decide what counts toward renewal. Some states require specific live instruction for certain courses, limit self-instruction, or mandate board-approved courses in areas like infection control, the dental practice act, medical emergencies, or opioid prescribing. Always check your state board page for this cycle’s rules before you register.

• Examples of mandated subjects: infection control, state practice act, opioid prescribing, medical emergencies, ethics.
• Format rules: some boards require a live skills component for BLS or do not count pre-recorded activities toward a live CE requirement.
• Decision rule: state rules first, recognition second, course details third.

How to Verify a Provider or Course in 2 Minutes

1. Open the provider directory (ADA CERP or AGD PACE) and search by the organization’s legal name.
2. Confirm recognition or approval dates are current and match the name used on the course page.
3. On the course page, confirm objectives, hours, credit type, and disclosure policy. Make sure the certificate format and delivery timeline are clear.
4. Save a PDF or screenshot of the directory entry and syllabus for your audit file.

Red Flags and Common Misconceptions

• Phrases like “CERP-approved course” or “PACE-certified course” used to imply course-level approval.
• Lapsed recognition dates or a marketing name that does not match the legal provider name in the directory.
• Agendas that are mostly promotional with thin learning objectives or no disclosure policy.
• Unclear credit hours or no certificate details.

Documentation to Keep for Audit Readiness

• Certificate with hours and credit type.
• Course agenda and learning objectives.
• Copy of the provider directory page showing current recognition dates.
• Notes on how the course meets any mandated topics for your state.

Special Cases and FAQs

Will both CERP and PACE credits count for my state renewal?

Often yes, but it depends on your state board and the topic. Check your board’s CE page for this cycle’s rules.

Do mandated topics need special approvals beyond CERP or PACE?

Some states require board-approved providers for certain mandated topics. Always verify the provider and the specific course listing for those requirements.

How do live virtual courses fit into credit rules?

Many states accept real-time live virtual instruction as live CE, but pre-recorded activities may not count toward live requirements. Confirm definitions on your state board site.

Can hygienists and assistants use the same credits as dentists?

Often yes, but scope-specific mandates and topic requirements can differ. Verify on your board site and with your employer’s credentialing policies.

What if the provider is recognized but the course is sponsored by a company?

Recognition programs require disclosure and independence standards. Review the disclosure statement and ensure content is balanced and evidence-based.

How do I report CE if I am licensed in multiple states?

Follow the most restrictive set of rules among your states, and keep full documentation for each course.

Quick Decision Framework

1. Check your state’s CE rules for this renewal cycle.
2. Verify provider recognition in the ADA CERP or AGD PACE directory.
3. Confirm the course’s learning objectives, hours, and credit type.
4. Ensure any mandated topics are clearly satisfied.
5. Confirm refund policy, certificate delivery, and recordkeeping before you pay.

Case Examples

California GP needing opioid prescribing CE this cycle

Confirm that the course is the specific board-approved mandatory course and that the provider is registered with the state for this topic.

Hygienist needing infection control hours with live instruction

Choose a provider recognized at the organization level and verify the course meets any live or hands-on requirements set by your board.

Practice owner planning team CE that mixes hands-on and lecture

Pick a provider with strong logistics and small-cohort hands-on options. Verify objectives for each team role and confirm certificate issuance for all attendees.

Implementation Checklist: Pre-Registration to Certificate Storage

• Check your state board page for current rules.
• Verify the provider in the ADA CERP or AGD PACE directory.
• Confirm hours, format, objectives, disclosures, and refund policy.
• Register, block time on your calendar, and plan any travel.
• After the course, download the certificate and store it with the syllabus and directory screenshot in your CE folder.

Conclusion and Next Steps

Use recognition to find quality providers, but let your state’s rules guide final decisions. Verify the provider, confirm course details, and keep airtight records so your credits count without surprises at renewal.

Browse live courses by topic, format, and location on CE Crowd or download the CE Verification Checklist.

References

1. ADA CERP Standards and program overview. https://ccepr.ada.org/ada-cerp-standards
2. ADA CERP Recognition process and provider directory. https://ccepr.ada.org/recognition-process and https://ccepr.ada.org/view-ce-providers
3. AGD PACE program and provider search. https://www.agd.org/education/learn/find-a-pace-provider
4. ACCME Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. https://accme.org/rules/standards/
5. Example state board guidance: California Dental Board CE requirements and mandated topics. https://www.dbc.ca.gov/licensees/continuing_education.shtml and https://www.dbc.ca.gov/licensees/dentist_continuing_education.shtml