Guide to Obtaining a Dental License in New York

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New York’s dental licensing process is administered through the New York State Education Department (NYSED) Office of the Professions rather than a standalone dental board — a structural distinction that affects how applications are submitted and processed. The state has several unique requirements worth knowing before you begin: a 60-hour continuing education prerequisite that applies before licensure is granted, a one-time child abuse identification course, and a recurring infection control training requirement. Here’s a full breakdown of what each pathway requires.

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 the NBDE Parts I & II, or the Integrated National Board Dental Examination (INBDE)
  • Pass a clinical examination accepted by the New York State Board for Dentistry
  • Complete at least 60 hours of approved continuing education prior to licensure

The Four Pathways

1. Examination Pathway

The standard route for new dental graduates, New York currently accepts the ADEX clinical examination for this pathway. The NERB examination is also recognized, but only for candidates who completed it prior to 2020.

Requirements:

  • Completion of all general requirements listed above
  • Passing score on the ADEX dental examination (or NERB, if taken before 2020)
  • Completion of at least 60 hours of approved continuing education

Steps to licensure: Create an account and complete the online application through the NYSED Office of the Professions. Submit official transcripts from your dental school, NBDE/INBDE scores, clinical examination results, and proof of your 60 hours of completed continuing education. Pay the required application and licensing fees, pass the New York State Jurisprudence Examination, and provide fingerprints for a criminal background check.

2. Licensure by Endorsement

New York’s endorsement pathway is available to dentists who hold an active license in another state and have been in substantial clinical practice — but the practice hour requirement is among the most demanding in the country. At 6,500 hours within a five-year window, this threshold demands consistent, high-volume clinical practice throughout that period. Review this requirement carefully before applying.

Requirements:

  • A current, active dental license in good standing in another U.S. state for at least two years
  • At least 6,500 hours of professional practice within the five years immediately preceding your application
  • Completion of at least 60 hours of approved continuing education
  • Passing score on the New York State Jurisprudence Examination

Steps to licensure: Complete the online application through the NYSED Office of the Professions and pay the required fees. Provide verification of your out-of-state licensure, documentation of your active practice hours, and proof of your 60 continuing education hours. Pass the New York State Jurisprudence Examination and provide fingerprints for a criminal background check.

The 6,500-hour practice requirement averages to roughly 1,300 clinical hours per year over five years — a pace that reflects full-time, active practice with few significant gaps. If your practice history includes extended leaves or reduced schedules, examine this threshold closely.

3. Limited Licensure

New York’s limited license is designed specifically for dentists participating in dental residency programs within the state. It is not a general-purpose temporary permit — the license is valid only for the duration of the residency program and only at the specified facility where the program is conducted.

Requirements:

  • Acceptance into a qualifying dental residency program in New York
  • Satisfaction of applicable documentation requirements

Steps to licensure: Complete the online application through the NYSED Office of the Professions and submit the required documentation, including proof of your acceptance into a qualifying New York residency program. Pay the required application and licensing fees. The limited license remains valid only for the period and location of your residency enrollment.

4. Restricted Dental Faculty License

New York’s restricted dental faculty license is available to full-time faculty members at New York State dental schools. It requires either a meaningful period of satisfactory clinical practice or completion of an accredited advanced dental education program — reflecting the state’s expectation that dental educators bring substantive real-world or advanced training experience to their teaching roles.

Requirements:

  • A full-time faculty appointment at a New York State dental school
  • A dental degree from a CODA-accredited program
  • At least two years of satisfactory dental practice, or completion of an accredited advanced dental education program

Steps to licensure: Complete the online application through the NYSED Office of the Professions and submit the required documentation, including proof of your full-time faculty appointment, dental degree credentials, and documentation of your qualifying practice experience or advanced education. Pay the required application and licensing fees.

Maintaining Your License

New York dental licenses are renewed on a three-year registration cycle, with 60 hours of continuing education required per registration period. All licensees must also maintain a current CPR certification throughout their time in practice.

Two additional compliance requirements apply to all New York dental licensees:

  • Child Abuse Identification and Reporting coursework — a one-time requirement that must be completed as part of the initial licensure process and does not need to be repeated at renewal.
  • Infection Control Training — must be renewed every four years. Build this into your renewal planning alongside your regular CE hours.

For the most current requirements, fee schedules, and application materials, visit the New York State Education Department Office of the Professions website or contact their office directly. Requirements are subject to change, and confirming the latest details before you apply is always the right first step.