What is PACE-eligible CE?

The AGD launched PACE in 1991 as a structured review process for CE providers. Approved providers submit course curricula, learning objectives, and instructor credentials for independent review. Once approved, every course they offer carries the PACE designation for a defined approval cycle, typically two years. Dentists tracking credits toward AGD Fellowship (520 hours) or Mastership (1,100 hours) must accumulate a set proportion of hours from PACE-approved sources to qualify.

For dentists evaluating a lab partner that offers CE, PACE eligibility signals that the educational content has cleared a recognized quality threshold rather than being purely promotional. Lab-sponsored CE on topics such as digital workflow, implant prosthetic planning, or ceramic material science carries more clinical weight when it is PACE-approved versus unaccredited lunch-and-learn formats. Many state boards explicitly distinguish between accredited and non-accredited hours when calculating renewal credit.

Practice owners managing associates and tracking CE compliance across a team benefit from prioritizing PACE-eligible courses because the documentation trail is standardized. PACE providers issue AGD-formatted certificates that most state boards and credentialing bodies accept without supplemental paperwork. When evaluating any CE opportunity, checking the provider's current PACE approval number and expiration date takes roughly 30 seconds on the AGD website and eliminates renewal surprises.