RG's renewing on an annual basis must accumulate 6 hours of continuing education credit during the one- year renewal cycle. Those requirements are:
Documented Regulatory Standards Credit
The credits that used to be referred to as OSHA/Infection Control have been broadened into a Regulatory Standards category. Regulatory Standards courses provide instruction in quality, safety and workplace health issues. Topics may include Quality System/Good Manufacturing Practices (QS/GMP), HIV/AIDS, HIPAA, Hazard Communication, Bloodborne Pathogen Standards, Emergency Action Plans, Lockout/Tagout, Respiratory Protection, Ergonomics and Personal Protective Equipment.
For a complete listing of the breakdown of courses that fall under regulatory standards, please visit www.nbccert.org, click the Continuing Education button.
The NBC requires that each RG renewal include at least one hour of Regulatory Standards credit in addition to the other continuing education requirements. This Regulatory Standards hour must be documented.
Download the Regulatory Standards Breakdown
Documented Scientific Credit
Documented Scientific credits include scientific and technical courses or clinics from which the CDT receives documentation of attendance.
Scientific or technical credits are commonly referred to as "Scientific" courses. These courses provide instruction of a scientific or technical nature that are specific to the practice of dental technology.
Professional Development Credit
Professional Development courses are those that enhance the professional skills of the technician, laboratory supervisor or manager. Subjects that qualify for professional development credit include:
- Management and Finance
- Communication Skills
- Instructional Techniques
"Documented" and "Approved" Courses
A "documented" course is one where a course provider verifies attendance. At NBC-approved courses, RG's will document their credit by filling out a Scan Card, which is returned to NBC by the course provider and the information is entered into the database. Other courses can be documented with Certificate of Attendance or a Letter of Attendance on company letterhead from the Speaker or Sponsor, with the speaker name, AGD CERP/AGD PACE number (if applicable), course date, length of course and a provider signature.
If the Scientific and/or Regulatory Standards credit requirements are fulfilled, the balance of the RG continuing education requirement may be earned through additional documented scientific credit, professional development credit, or other non-documented studies including attendance at non-approved clinics, independent study of publications or videotapes, or other activities that can be identified as contributing to their dental technology skill and knowledge. These courses are considered 'undocumented' and would count as Professional Development courses. The distinction is important because when one becomes a CDT, the 6 required Scientific credits and Regulatory Standards credit must be documented, but the remaining 5 credits may be 'undocumented'.
As a CDT, three of those required six Scientific credits must also be NBC "approved". Courses that are approved by the ADA CERP or the AGD PACE program are also considered 'approved' by the NBC if appropriate records are submitted (including a Certificate of Attendance or a Letter of Attendance on company letterhead from the Speaker or Sponsor, with the speaker name, AGD CERP/AGD PACE number, course date, length of course and a provider signature.)
