Guide to Obtaining a Dental License in Georgia

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Georgia offers three distinct pathways to dental licensure, designed to accommodate new graduates, experienced out-of-state clinicians, and those entering academic dentistry. Across all three routes, the Georgia Jurisprudence Examination is a universal requirement — and the state’s credentialing standards are among the more thorough you’ll encounter. Here’s a clear breakdown of what each pathway demands.

The Three Pathways

1. Examination Pathway

The standard route for new dental graduates and those who have not previously held a license in another state, this pathway requires passing a board-accepted regional clinical examination alongside your national board scores.

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 regional clinical examination accepted by the Georgia Board of Dentistry — currently CRDTS, SRTA, ADEX, and CDCA are all accepted
  • Passing score on the Georgia Jurisprudence Examination

Steps to licensure: Submit a notarized application and fee to the Georgia Board of Dentistry, along with official transcripts, NBDE/INBDE scores, and your regional clinical examination results. You’ll also need to pass the Georgia Jurisprudence Examination and complete a criminal background check. Note that all applicants are required to submit a National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) report with their application — the only exception is recent graduates within six months of dental school who have never held a license in any state or U.S. territory.

2. Credentials Pathway (Licensure by Credentials)

For dentists who have been actively practicing in another state, this pathway allows experienced clinicians to pursue Georgia licensure without retaking a clinical examination — provided they meet the state’s stringent practice history and disciplinary standards.

Requirements:

  • A current, unrestricted dental license in good standing in another state
  • Active clinical practice for at least five of the seven years immediately preceding your application
  • No disciplinary actions against any license held within the past ten years
  • Passing score on the Georgia Jurisprudence Examination

Steps to licensure: Submit a notarized application for licensure by credentials along with the required fee. You’ll need to provide official verification of licensure from every state where you hold or have held a license — submitted in the original sealed envelope from each respective board — along with documentation of your active clinical practice history and a letter of good standing from each state where you are or have been licensed. An NPDB report is also required. Pass the Georgia Jurisprudence Examination and complete a criminal background check.

It’s worth noting that the credentials pathway carries a significantly higher application fee than the examination route, so budget accordingly and confirm the current fee schedule with the Georgia Board of Dentistry before applying.

3. Faculty Licensure Pathway

Georgia’s faculty license is designed specifically for dentists who will be joining the faculty of a CODA-accredited dental school in the state. It’s a targeted pathway that ties licensure directly to academic employment — and does not grant unrestricted clinical practice rights outside of that setting.

Requirements:

  • Graduation from a CODA-accredited dental school
  • A DMD or DDS degree
  • Active employment as a faculty member at a CODA-accredited dental school in Georgia
  • Passing score on the Georgia Jurisprudence Examination

Steps to licensure: Submit an application for faculty licensure and pay the required fee. Provide official transcripts from your dental school and documentation of your faculty employment at a qualifying institution. Pass the Georgia Jurisprudence Examination and complete a criminal background check.

Key Requirements All Applicants Share

Every applicant must be at least 18 years old and demonstrate good moral character. The Georgia Jurisprudence Examination is required across all three pathways, covering the state’s dental laws and board rules — plan to study Georgia’s Dental Practice Act thoroughly before sitting for it.

Licenses must be renewed biennially, with continuing education requirements fulfilled at each renewal cycle. Georgia also requires all licensed dentists to maintain a current CPR certification throughout their time in practice.

Additional Considerations

Temporary licenses: Georgia offers temporary licenses for specific circumstances, including dental residents and dentists providing care at special events or sponsored programs. These are situational and time-limited, so contact the Board directly if you think this may apply to your situation.

Volunteer license: Georgia provides a volunteer license for retired dentists who wish to continue serving their communities through volunteer dental care — a meaningful option for those stepping back from active practice but not from the profession entirely.

Foreign-trained dentists: If your dental education was completed outside the United States, your credentials must be evaluated by a board-approved credentialing service. Additional requirements may apply depending on your background, including passing an English proficiency examination if your dental education was conducted in a non-English speaking country. The Georgia Board of Dentistry can provide guidance on the specific steps required based on your individual situation.

For the most current requirements, fee schedules, and application materials, visit the Georgia Board of Dentistry website or contact their office directly. Requirements are subject to change, and verifying the latest details before submitting your application is always time well spent.