Guide to Obtaining a Dental License in Colorado

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Colorado offers a relatively accessible path to dental licensure, with three distinct routes designed to accommodate new graduates, experienced out-of-state clinicians, and everyone in between. Understanding which pathway applies to your situation — and what each one demands — will help you move through the process with confidence.

The Three Pathways

1. Examination Pathway

The most common route for new dental graduates, this pathway requires passing a board-accepted clinical examination in addition to the national boards.

Requirements:

  • Graduation from a CODA-accredited dental school
  • Passing scores on the NBDE Parts I & II, or the Integrated National Board Dental Examination (INBDE)
  • Passing score on a clinical examination accepted by the Colorado Dental Board — currently, ADEX, CDCA, CRDTS, SRTA, and WREB are all accepted
  • Passing score on the Colorado Dental Law Examination

Steps to licensure: Submit your application and fee to the Colorado Dental Board, along with official transcripts, your NBDE/INBDE scores, and clinical examination results. You’ll also need to pass the Colorado Dental Law Examination and complete a fingerprint-based criminal history record check.

2. Credentials Pathway (Licensure by Credentials)

If you’re an experienced dentist who has been actively practicing in another state, this pathway allows you to pursue Colorado licensure without retaking a clinical examination.

Requirements:

  • A current, active dental license in good standing in another state
  • At least 300 hours of active dental practice per year for each of the five years immediately preceding your application
  • A clean disciplinary record — no actions against any license held
  • Passing score on the Colorado Dental Law Examination

Steps to licensure: Submit an application for licensure by credentials along with the required fee. You’ll need to provide verification of licensure from every state where you hold or have held a license, documentation of your active practice hours, and a letter of good standing from each state where you are or have been licensed. A fingerprint-based criminal history record check is also required.

3. Licensure by Endorsement

This pathway is designed for out-of-state dentists who are currently licensed but don’t meet the active practice requirements for the credentials pathway. If you hold a valid license and have passed an equivalent clinical examination, endorsement offers a viable alternative.

Requirements:

  • A current, active dental license in good standing in another state
  • Graduation from a CODA-accredited dental school
  • Passing score on a clinical examination substantially equivalent to Colorado’s requirements
  • Passing score on the Colorado Dental Law Examination

Steps to licensure: Submit an application for licensure by endorsement and pay the required fee. You’ll need to provide verification of licensure from all states where you hold or have held a license, proof of dental school graduation, and evidence of your qualifying clinical examination score. Complete the Colorado Dental Law Examination and a fingerprint-based criminal history record check.

Key Requirements All Applicants Share

Every applicant, regardless of pathway, must be at least 18 years old and demonstrate good moral character. The Colorado Dental Law Examination is required across all three routes, covering the state’s dental laws and administrative rules — it’s worth building dedicated study time into your application timeline.

Once licensed, dentists must renew biennially and satisfy continuing education requirements to remain in good standing. Colorado also requires all licensed dentists to maintain a current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.

Additional Considerations

Academic license: Colorado offers a dedicated academic license for dentists employed at accredited dental schools for teaching and research purposes — a useful option for those entering academic dentistry without intending to practice clinically in the traditional sense.

Foreign-trained dentists: If your dental degree was earned outside the United States, your credentials must be evaluated by a board-approved credentialing service. Additional requirements may apply, including passing an English proficiency examination and completing a program at a CODA-accredited dental school. The Colorado Dental Board can provide guidance on the specific steps required based on your background.

For the most current requirements, fee schedules, and application forms, visit the Colorado Dental Board website or reach out to their office directly. As with any licensing process, requirements are subject to change, and confirming the latest details before you apply is always a smart first step.