General Information on Dental Licensure
Licensure, as defined in Webster’s Dictionary, is “formal permission from a constituted authority to do something as to carry on some business.” Obtaining a license is a process every dentist must go through at least once during his or her professional life in order to practice dentistry. This is a brief summary of important facts to help dentists and dental students become more familiar with terms used and more informed about the licensure process. The state dental board is the appropriate agency to contact for specific information about licensure requirements, the state dental practice act, or other licensure-related information.
Historical Perspective on Dental Education and Licensure Until the early 1900s, dental education was not standardized and there were “dentists” with and without formal training delivering care to patients. Licensure was initiated by states to protect the public from those practitioners without adequate education.
Many changes have occurred since the early 1900s in dental education, accreditation and licensure. For example, currently all states require graduation from a dental school accredited by the ADA Commission on Dental Accreditation, successful completion of a written national board examination and a state or regional clinical examination in order to be eligible for licensure.
The licensure process continues to evolve. In recent years, there has been a steady increase in the number of state dental boards that grant licensure by credentials and accept results from more than one clinical examination for the purpose of initial licensure. Also, many state boards now accept results of National Board Part II in lieu of a separate written examination. Most importantly, all members of the examination community continue to work together to increase standardization of the examination and the examination process.
While the American Dental Association recognizes and supports the state’s right to regulate dental licensure, it has adopted policies on licensure issues, including freedom of movement for dentists, increased standardization of clinical licensing examinations, specialty licensure and the use of human subjects in clinical examinations. Review all of the ADA Current Policies.
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About State Boards of Dentistry
The state board of dentistry (also known as board of dental examiners) is an agency of state government created by the state legislature. This agency governs the qualifications for and the practice of dentistry within the state. The board’s authority is limited to that granted by the state legislature and typically includes 1) establishment of qualifications for licensure, 2) issuance of licenses to qualified individuals, 3) establishment of standards of practice and conduct, 4) taking disciplinary action against those who engage in misconduct, and 5) promulgation of rules to enable the board to perform its duties. State boards are composed of members of the profession and the public.
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Clinical Testing Agencies
Regional testing agencies contract with individual state boards of dentistry to administer the clinical examination required for licensure in those states. The State Membership in the Regional Clinical Testing Agencies list may be helpful in determining which regional testing agency has contracted with individual state boards of dentistry. The regional testing agencies do not have the authority to license individuals or to implement policy that goes beyond the laws of its member states. Regional testing agencies should not be confused with state boards of dentistry.
- State Membership in the Regional Clinical Testing Agencies | PDF file/44k
Licensure by Credentials (also known as Licensure by Recognition)
The process by which a state board of dentistry grants a dental license to an individual based on its determination that the candidate has previously met requirements for initial licensure in another jurisdiction, is currently licensed in another jurisdiction, has practiced for a minimum specified amount of time prior to application (usually five years) and that the state has licensure standards equivalent to the one where licensure by credentials is being sought. If the candidate meets all required criteria, clinical licensure examinations are not necessary and a license is granted. Interchangeable terms are used for licensure by credentials including licensure by reciprocity endorsement or criteria. As directed by Resolution 52H-2006, a licensure by credentials state-by-state informational summary is available under the resources section in the Member Center.
Download complete listing of states and further information about license recognition.
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Commonly Used Terms in Dental Licensure
The following are definitions of basic terms used regarding licensure and the licensure process:
Accreditation: Process by which an entity grants public recognition to an organization such as a school, institute, college, program, facility or company that has met predetermined standards.
Accredited program: In the United States, this refers to dental education programs accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). Through a reciprocal agreement between the CODA and the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada (CDAC), accredited program also refers to dental education programs in Canada accredited by the CDAC.
Certification: Voluntary process by which an organization grants recognition to an individual who has met certain predetermined qualifications or standards. (Knapp)
Credentialing: The process of granting a credential that is a designation which indicates competence in a subject area.
Initial Licensure: The first time a candidate applies for and receives a dental license. The candidate does not hold a dental license in another jurisdiction at the time of application.
International: In the context of dental education and licensure, refers to dental education programs and graduates of programs outside of the United States and Canada.
Licensure: The process by which states grant individuals the authority to practice a particular profession or occupation. Licensure is a mandatory governmental requirement that implies both practice protection and title protection, in that only those individuals who hold a license are permitted to practice and to use a particular title. Licensure normally involves some form of assessment or examination in addition to successful completion of an educational program.
Reciprocity: Licensure by reciprocity refers to a situation in which a jurisdiction has authority to grant licensure only to licensees of states that do likewise to their licensees. Such decisions are based on formal agreements between state boards. Today, the majority of states grant licensure by credentials versus having reciprocal agreements with other states.
Clinical Testing Agencies: Independent testing agencies contract with individual state boards of dentistry to administer the clinical examinations required for licensure in those states. These testing agencies do not have the authority to license individuals or to implement policy that goes beyond the laws of its member states. Regional testing agencies are clinical testing agencies composed of groups of participating or member states who may participate in the agency’s testing process and/or accept the agency’s examination results and should not be confused with state boards of dentistry.
Regulation: A rule or order issued by an executive authority or regulatory agency of a government (e.g. dental board) and having force of law.
State Boards of Dentistry: The state board of dentistry (also known as board of dental examiners) is an agency of state government created by the state legislature. This agency governs the qualifications for and the practice of dentistry within the state. The board's authority is limited to that granted by the state legislature and typically includes 1) establishment of qualifications for licensure, 2) issuance of licenses to qualified individuals, 3) establishment of standards of practice and conduct, 4) taking disciplinary action against those who engage in misconduct, and 5) promulgation of rules to enable the board to perform its duties. State boards are composed of members of the profession and the public.
Statute: A law enacted by the legislative branch of a government (i.e. state legislature). The dental practice act is an example of a statute.
Browning, Anne H., Bugbee, Alan C. and Mullins, Meredith A., ed. 1996. Certification: A NOCA Handbook. Washington, D.C., The National Organization for Competency Assurance (NOCA).
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What can Individual Dentists do to Affect Changes in State Laws/Regulations?
Individual dentists can most effectively bring about change by working through their local or state dental society. First, determine what needs to be changed to accomplish your goal. Is it the dental practice act (state law), board regulations (rules), board policies or a combination of all these that requires change? Once you know whether to target the state legislature or the state dental board, you can begin to gather the facts about the issue for which you are lobbying. State dental societies can receive assistance in their lobbying efforts from the ADA Department of State Government Affairs.
Return to Top Additional Sources of Information:
- The ADA Department of State Government Affairs can provide
information about state dental statutes and regulations. Dial the
toll-free number, x2525.
- American Association of Dental Examiners: The American Association of Dental Examiners
publishes a comprehensive document that includes information about state boards’ structure and operation, licensee population, board disciplinary actions, and licensing
requirements. For more information about the AADE Composite book call 312-440-7464 or visit the AADE Web site at www.aadexam.org .
Page Updated: April 27, 2007
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