Audience: dentists of all specialties, hygienists, practice owners, CE coordinators, and clinical directors.
Three formats dominate continuing education today: live (in-person), live-virtual (synchronous), and on-demand (asynchronous). This guide explains what each format typically counts for (state rules vary), when to pick each one, and how to document credits so they count at renewal.
Definitions and what usually counts
- Live (in-person): synchronous, at a physical venue. Ideal for hands-on skills that require reps and feedback. Many boards count this as live CE.
- Live-virtual (webinar/meeting): synchronous online with real-time interaction. Many states count it as live; some do not. Verify before purchase.
- On-demand (self-instruction): asynchronous modules you complete at your pace. Often subject to hour caps or quiz requirements.
Important: state boards decide acceptance and topic/format rules. Always verify details on your board site before paying.
Match format to your learning objective
| Objective | Complexity | Best format | Why | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Learn a new clinical procedure | Tactile | Live hands-on (or hybrid with in-person lab) | Requires supervised reps and feedback | Confirm faculty ratio, supervised reps, assessment |
| Sharpen diagnostics or treatment planning | Cognitive | Live-virtual or on-demand | Efficient for case reviews and frameworks | Seek interactivity for live-virtual; quizzes for on-demand |
| Mandated topics (ethics, infection control, opioid) | Cognitive | Live-virtual or on-demand (state dependent) | Meets knowledge requirement with minimal travel | Verify your state’s format rules first |
| Team communication and workflows | Behavioral | Live-virtual with breakouts or in-person | Role-play and feedback speed adoption | Invite relevant team roles for consistency |
State nuances to check
- Does live-virtual count as live in your state?
- Caps on on-demand hours per cycle and quiz/evaluation requirements.
- Topic-specific rules (medical emergencies, practice act, radiography, opioid prescribing).
- Multi-state licensure: plan to the most restrictive rule.
Documentation requirements by format
- Live (in-person): certificate with hours and provider name, agenda with objectives, disclosure policy, and refund terms.
- Live-virtual: all of the above plus platform attendance verification and a time-stamped certificate.
- On-demand: certificate plus quiz score report or completion log showing module, date, and time.
Pro tip: save a PDF or screenshot of the course page at time of purchase and store it with the certificate. See more admin tips on cecrowd.com/knowledge-hub.
Budget and time math
- Live: tuition + travel + lodging + meals + downtime. Highest impact for tactile skills; plan early to control costs.
- Live-virtual: tuition only (usually). Strong for lectures and case updates with minimal disruption.
- On-demand: lower cost and flexible timing; great for refreshers and mandated content when allowed.
Filter by price, city, and format at CEcrowd.com to plan your year intelligently.
Hands-on reality: when virtual is not enough
- Skills requiring hand position, angulation, ergonomics, and settings benefit from supervised reps.
- Look for stated supervised repetitions, faculty-to-learner ratio, and an assessment or skill sign-off.
- Hybrid works well: complete pre-work on-demand, then attend a short in-person lab for competency.
Live-virtual quality signals
- Real-time Q&A, polls, and chat moderation with clear response windows.
- High-quality AV for demos; screen-share of step-by-step sequences.
- Certificate logistics and attendance verification explained up front.
On-demand done right
- Chunked modules with embedded quizzes and immediate feedback.
- Captions, transcripts, and search to find topics fast.
- Clear access window and version dates for content updates.
Pick by scenario: quick mini-cases
GP adding a soft-tissue procedure: hybrid ending in a live hands-on lab with a small ratio and checklists.
Endo refresh on diagnosis and access: live-virtual with robust case reviews and post-event Q&A.
Mandated opioid prescribing update: check your board; live-virtual or on-demand often acceptable with quiz and certificate.
Team communication workshop: live-virtual with breakout rooms or an in-person retreat for role-play.
Risk management and compliance
- Verify provider recognition (ADA CERP or AGD PACE) and your state’s acceptance of the format.
- Confirm certificate fields: legal provider name, hours, delivery method, and timeline.
- Save directory screenshots and course page PDFs before you pay.
Common pitfalls to avoid
- Assuming live-virtual always counts as live without checking your board.
- Buying on-demand that lacks quizzes or evaluations when required.
- Skipping documentation for virtual courses and losing access before download.
- Choosing virtual for a tactile skill that needs hands-on reps.
Quick decision tree
- Goal is tactile skill? Choose live hands-on or hybrid with an in-person lab.
- Goal is cognitive update? Live-virtual or on-demand works well.
- Mandated topic? Check state rules; if “live” is required, choose in-person or a state-accepted live-virtual.
- Team adoption? Live-virtual with breakouts or in-person workshop.
Conclusion and next steps
Choose format based on your learning objective and your state’s rules, then document everything so credits count. To plan efficiently, browse live, live-virtual, and on-demand filters at CEcrowd.com. For deeper format and compliance guidance, explore cecrowd.com/knowledge-hub.
