Commission Approves Revised ADA CERP Recognition Standards

ADA Commission for Continuing Education Provider Recognition (10/15/24)

The American Dental Association's (ADA) Commission for Continuing Education Provider Recognition (CCEPR) has adopted updated ADA Continuing Education Recognition Program (CERP) Recognition Standards following years of review and feedback from continuing education (CE) providers and other stakeholders. The new standards, which take effect in June 2026, maintain current requirements for planning CE focusing on identified professional needs and the best available scientific evidence. With these areas of focus, there are fewer standards and criteria overall. The new framework includes five standards, down from 14, and just 17 individual criteria that a provider must meet, instead of 104. "The goal of the Commission is to maintain the highest standards for continuing education," reports Kecia Leary, CCEPR chair. "This ensures the public and our patients that dentists and allied oral health providers that receive continuing education from CERP recognized providers receive this education from organizations that strive for quality in their educational endeavors." CCEPR has also taken up the Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education from the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME). These standards aims to ensure that CE serves the needs of patients and the public; present learners with only accurate, balanced, and scientifically justified recommendations; assure learners they can trust CE to help them provide safe, effective care based on best practice and evidence; and create a clear separation between CE and marketing and sales. The ACCME Standards for Integrity and Independence will be linked to the ADA CERP Recognition Standards 2026, replacing CERP Standard V.

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