Obtaining a dental license varies by state in the U.S., with each state having its own requirements and processes. Here’s a detailed overview of the steps generally involved in acquiring a dental license in each state, along with specific state-by-state links to the relevant dental boards.
General Steps to Obtain a Dental License
- Complete Dental Education: Graduate from an accredited dental school with a DDS or DMD degree.
- Pass National Board Dental Examinations (NBDE): Complete Part I and Part II of the NBDE or the Integrated National Board Dental Examination (INBDE).
- Pass a Clinical Examination: Take a clinical licensing exam administered by a regional testing agency or the state.
- Submit a State License Application: Apply to the dental board in your state, providing necessary documentation and fees.
- Complete Additional State Requirements: Meet any additional state-specific requirements (e.g., background checks, jurisprudence exams).
- Receive Your License: Once approved, you’ll be issued a dental license to practice in that state.
- Maintain Licensure: Complete continuing education and renew your license as required.
State-by-State Licensing Information
Here’s a list of each state and its licensing board along with links to their websites for more detailed information:
- Alabama
- Board: Alabama Board of Dental Examiners
- Website: Alabama Board of Dental Examiners
- Alaska
- Board: Alaska Board of Dental Examiners
- Website: Alaska Board of Dental Examiners
- Arizona
- Board: Arizona State Board of Dental Examiners
- Website: Arizona State Board of Dental Examiners
- Arkansas
- Board: Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners
- Website: Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners
- California
- Board: California Dental Board
- Website: California Dental Board
- Colorado
- Board: Colorado Dental Board
- Website: Colorado Dental Board
- Connecticut
- Board: Connecticut State Dental Commission
- Website: Connecticut State Dental Commission
- Delaware
- Board: Delaware Board of Dentistry and Dental Hygiene
- Website: Delaware Board of Dentistry
- Florida
- Board: Florida Board of Dentistry
- Website: Florida Board of Dentistry
- Georgia
- Board: Georgia Board of Dentistry
- Website: Georgia Board of Dentistry
- Hawaii
- Board: Hawaii Board of Dental Examiners
- Website: Hawaii Board of Dental Examiners
- Idaho
- Board: Idaho State Board of Dentistry
- Website: Idaho State Board of Dentistry
- Illinois
- Board: Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
- Website: Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
- Indiana
- Board: Indiana State Board of Dentistry
- Website: Indiana State Board of Dentistry
- Iowa
- Board: Iowa Dental Board
- Website: Iowa Dental Board
- Kansas
- Board: Kansas State Board of Dentistry
- Website: Kansas State Board of Dentistry
- Kentucky
- Board: Kentucky Board of Dentistry
- Website: Kentucky Board of Dentistry
- Louisiana
- Board: Louisiana State Board of Dentistry
- Website: Louisiana State Board of Dentistry
- Maine
- Board: Maine Board of Dental Practice
- Website: Maine Board of Dental Practice
- Maryland
- Board: Maryland State Board of Dental Examiners
- Website: Maryland State Board of Dental Examiners
- Massachusetts
- Board: Massachusetts Board of Registration in Dentistry
- Website: Massachusetts Board of Registration in Dentistry
- Michigan
- Board: Michigan Board of Dentistry
- Website: Michigan Board of Dentistry
- Minnesota
- Board: Minnesota Board of Dentistry
- Website: Minnesota Board of Dentistry
- Mississippi
- Board: Mississippi State Board of Dental Examiners
- Website: Mississippi State Board of Dental Examiners
- Missouri
- Board: Missouri Dental Board
- Website: Missouri Dental Board
- Montana
- Board: Montana Board of Dentistry
- Website: Montana Board of Dentistry
- Nebraska
- Board: Nebraska Board of Dentistry
- Website: Nebraska Board of Dentistry
- Nevada
- Board: Nevada State Board of Dental Examiners
- Website: Nevada State Board of Dental Examiners
- New Hampshire
- Board: New Hampshire Board of Dental Examiners
- Website: New Hampshire Board of Dental Examiners
- New Jersey
- Board: New Jersey State Board of Dentistry
- Website: New Jersey State Board of Dentistry
- New Mexico
- Board: New Mexico Board of Dental Health Care
- Website: New Mexico Board of Dental Health Care
- New York
- Board: New York State Board for Dentistry
- Website: New York State Board for Dentistry
- North Carolina
- Board: North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners
- Website: North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners
- North Dakota
- Board: North Dakota Board of Dental Examiners
- Website: North Dakota Board of Dental Examiners
- Ohio
- Board: Ohio State Dental Board
- Website: Ohio State Dental Board
- Oklahoma
- Board: Oklahoma Board of Dentistry
- Website: Oklahoma Board of Dentistry
- Oregon
- Board: Oregon Board of Dentistry
- Website: Oregon Board of Dentistry
- Pennsylvania
- Board: Pennsylvania State Board of Dentistry
- Website: Pennsylvania State Board of Dentistry
- Rhode Island
- Board: Rhode Island Department of Health
- Website: Rhode Island Department of Health
40.
South Carolina
– Board: South Carolina Board of Dentistry
– Website: South Carolina Board of Dentistry
- South Dakota
- Board: South Dakota Board of Dentistry
- Website: South Dakota Board of Dentistry
- Tennessee
- Board: Tennessee Board of Dentistry
- Website: Tennessee Board of Dentistry
- Texas
- Board: Texas State Board of Dental Examiners
- Website: Texas State Board of Dental Examiners
- Utah
- Board: Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing
- Website: Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing
- Vermont
- Board: Vermont Board of Dental Examiners
- Website: Vermont Board of Dental Examiners
- Virginia
- Board: Virginia Board of Dentistry
- Website: Virginia Board of Dentistry
- Washington
- Board: Washington State Dental Commission
- Website: Washington State Dental Commission
- West Virginia
- Board: West Virginia Board of Dental Examiners
- Website: West Virginia Board of Dental Examiners
- Wisconsin
- Board: Wisconsin Dentistry Examining Board
- Website: Wisconsin Dentistry Examining Board
- Wyoming
- Board: Wyoming Board of Dental Examiners
- Website: Wyoming Board of Dental Examiners
Conclusion
Each state has its own specific requirements and processes for dental licensing, so it’s crucial to consult the relevant state dental board’s website for the most accurate and detailed information. If you’re planning to practice in multiple states, you may need to meet the licensing requirements for each state separately.