Guide to Obtaining a Dental License in Illinois

Bydentalicenses

Illinois has a well-structured licensing framework with three distinct pathways, but a few state-specific requirements set it apart from the rest of the country. The credentials pathway carries some notable eligibility criteria worth understanding early, and Illinois is one of the few states that mandates specific continuing education topics — including opioid prescribing practices and sexual harassment prevention — as part of every renewal cycle. Here’s a full breakdown of what to expect.

General Requirements

All applicants, regardless of pathway, must meet the following baseline criteria:

  • Be at least 21 years old
  • Be of good moral character
  • Hold a degree from a CODA-accredited dental school
  • Pass all required examinations for their chosen pathway

The Three Pathways

1. Examination Pathway

The standard route for new dental graduates, this pathway requires passing national board scores and a board-accepted clinical examination, along with Illinois’s state jurisprudence exam.

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 one of the following clinical examinations accepted by Illinois: ADEX or CDCA
  • Passing score on the Illinois Jurisprudence Examination

2. Credential Pathway (Licensure by Credentials)

Illinois’s credential pathway is available to experienced out-of-state dentists, but it carries additional eligibility requirements beyond practice history that you won’t commonly encounter in other states. In addition to meeting the active practice threshold, applicants must demonstrate advanced qualifications through one of several recognized credentials.

Requirements:

  • A current, active dental license in good standing in another U.S. state or territory
  • Active dental practice for at least three of the five years immediately preceding your application
  • No failed attempts on any clinical examination given by Illinois or on a Board-approved equivalent within the past five years
  • At least one of the following must also apply:
    • Diplomate status with a national certifying board recognized by the American Dental Association
    • A specialty certificate from an ADA-accredited program
    • Completion of a residency program of at least 12 months
  • Passing score on the Illinois Jurisprudence Examination

The additional credentialing requirement is a meaningful distinction — if you don’t yet hold diplomate status, a specialty certificate, or a qualifying residency, you’ll need to pursue the examination pathway instead.

3. Faculty Pathway

Illinois’s faculty license is available to dentists joining the full-time faculty of a CODA-accredited dental school in the state. Licensure through this pathway is tied to academic employment and carries its own experience and training expectations appropriate to that role.

Requirements:

  • Full-time faculty employment at a CODA-accredited dental school in Illinois
  • A dental degree from a CODA-accredited institution
  • A minimum of two years of general practice experience, or completion of an advanced education program
  • Passing score on the Illinois Jurisprudence Examination

Application Process

All applicants submit their materials to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). Regardless of pathway, you’ll need to provide:

  • A completed application form with the required application and license fees
  • Official transcripts from your dental school
  • NBDE/INBDE scores and clinical examination scores (where applicable)
  • Verification of licensure from all states where you hold or have held a license (if applicable)
  • Proof of current CPR certification
  • Completed fingerprinting and criminal background check

Renewal and Continuing Education

Illinois dental licenses are renewed on a three-year cycle — longer than most states — with 48 hours of continuing education required per renewal period. Illinois also mandates specific CE content that every dentist must complete, regardless of specialty or practice setting:

  • 3 hours on safe opioid prescribing practices
  • 1 hour on sexual harassment prevention training

These are non-negotiable components of your CE requirement, so factor them into your planning at the start of each renewal cycle rather than the end.

Additional Considerations

Temporary licenses: Illinois may issue temporary licenses in specific circumstances, such as for teaching or research purposes. Contact the IDFPR directly to determine whether a temporary license is available for your situation.

Foreign-trained dentists: If your dental degree was earned outside the United States, your credentials must be evaluated by CODA. In most cases, you will also be required to complete at least two years in a CODA-accredited dental program in the U.S. before becoming eligible for licensure in Illinois.

For the most current requirements, fee schedules, and application materials, contact the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation directly:

Division of Professional Regulation 320 West Washington Street, 3rd Floor Springfield, Illinois 62786 Phone: (888) 473-4858 Website: www.idfpr.com

As with any licensing process, requirements are subject to change — confirming the latest details with the IDFPR before you apply is always the right first step.