Guide to Obtaining a Dental License in Alabama

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Alabama offers three distinct routes to dental licensure. Whether you’re a new graduate, a practicing dentist relocating from another state, or a residency-trained clinician, understanding which pathway applies to your situation is the first step toward practicing in the state.

Pathways to Licensure

There are three main pathways to obtain a dental license in Alabama: Examination, License by Credentials, and NBDE Certification.

Pathway 1: Examination

This is the standard route for new dental school graduates and the most commonly traveled path to licensure in Alabama.

To qualify, applicants must have graduated from a CODA-accredited dental school, passed both parts of the National Board Dental Examination (NBDE), completed a regional clinical examination (accepted exams include ADEX, CDCA, CITA, CRDTS, and SRTA), and passed the Alabama Dental Jurisprudence Examination.

To apply, submit an application to the Board of Dental Examiners of Alabama along with the required fee, official dental school transcripts, NBDE scores, and regional clinical exam scores. All applicants must also pass the Alabama Dental Jurisprudence Examination and complete a background check.

Pathway 2: License by Credentials

This pathway is designed for dentists who are already licensed and actively practicing in another state and wish to relocate to Alabama.

Eligibility requires holding a current, unrestricted license in another U.S. state, a minimum of 5,000 hours of active practice over the past five years, a clean disciplinary record, and passage of the Alabama Dental Jurisprudence Examination.

Applicants must submit a credentials application and fee, provide license verification from every state where they hold or have held a license, submit documentation of active practice hours, supply letters of recommendation, pass the Jurisprudence Examination, and complete a background check.

Pathway 3: NBDE Certification

This pathway is available to dentists who have passed the NBDE but have not completed a regional clinical examination — typically those who pursued advanced training through a residency program instead.

Requirements include graduation from a CODA-accredited dental school, passing the NBDE Parts I and II, completion of a one-year CODA-accredited residency program, and passage of the Alabama Dental Jurisprudence Examination.

The application process mirrors the Examination pathway: submit the application and fee, provide dental school transcripts and NBDE scores, supply proof of residency completion, pass the Jurisprudence Examination, and complete a background check.

Additional Requirements and Notes

All applicants must be at least 19 years of age and demonstrate good moral character. The Alabama Dental Jurisprudence Examination covers the Alabama Dental Practice Act and the Board’s administrative rules — familiarity with both is essential before sitting for the exam.

Licenses are renewed annually, and dentists must satisfy continuing education requirements to maintain licensure in good standing.

Foreign-trained dentists should be aware that additional steps apply. Credentials must be evaluated by an approved credentialing agency, and further requirements may be imposed depending on the applicant’s training background.

For the most current fee schedules, application forms, and regulatory updates, visit the Board of Dental Examiners of Alabama website or contact the Board directly.