Guide to Obtaining a Dental License in Kansas

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Kansas offers three pathways to dental licensure, each suited to a different stage of a clinician’s career. The state has some notably demanding requirements — particularly for the credentials pathway, which carries one of the higher continuing education thresholds you’ll encounter anywhere in the country. Here’s what you need to know before you apply.

General Requirements

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

  • Be at least 21 years old
  • Be of good moral character and professional standing
  • 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, a board-accepted regional clinical examination, and the Kansas-specific 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 the Kansas Dental Board: CRDTS, ADEX, SRTA, or WREB
  • Passing score on the Kansas Jurisprudence Examination

2. Licensure by Credentials

Kansas’s credentials pathway is designed for experienced dentists relocating from another state, but it sets a high bar for eligibility. The five-year consecutive practice requirement and the 60-hour continuing education threshold make this one of the more demanding credentials pathways in the country — so review these requirements carefully before applying.

Requirements:

  • A current, active dental license in good standing in another U.S. state or territory
  • Active dental practice for at least five consecutive years immediately preceding your application
  • No failed attempts on a clinical licensing examination within the past five years
  • Documentation of at least 60 hours of continuing education completed in the two years prior to application
  • Passing score on the Kansas Jurisprudence Examination

The 60-hour CE requirement for credentials applicants is notably higher than what most states require — and it applies to the period before you apply, not after. If your CE hours are not current, address that well in advance of submitting your application.

3. Specialty License

Kansas offers a dedicated specialty license pathway for dentists who have completed advanced postdoctoral training in a recognized specialty. This pathway requires both a general dentistry license and a specialty-specific board examination, making it best suited for those who are already established in their specialty area.

Requirements:

  • A general dentistry license in Kansas or another U.S. state
  • Completion of a CODA-accredited specialty training program
  • Passing score on a specialty examination recognized by the Kansas Dental Board
  • Passing score on the Kansas Jurisprudence Examination

Application Process

All applicants submit their materials to the Kansas Dental Board. 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 criminal background check

Renewal and Continuing Education

Kansas dental licenses must be renewed annually by December 1 — a shorter cycle than the biennial or triennial schedules used by most states, so mark your calendar well in advance each year. Over each two-year period, dentists must complete 60 hours of continuing education, with the following mandatory topic requirements:

  • 2 hours on infection control
  • 1 hour on professional ethics

The 60-hour biennial CE requirement is among the highest in the country. Building a consistent CE schedule throughout the year — rather than cramming at renewal time — will make this much more manageable in practice.

Additional Considerations

Temporary licenses: Kansas may issue temporary licenses for specific circumstances, such as participation in charitable events or teaching roles. Contact the Kansas Dental Board 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 a board-approved credentialing agency. 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 Kansas.

For the most current requirements, fee schedules, and application materials, contact the Kansas Dental Board directly:

900 SW Jackson, Suite 455-S Topeka, KS 66612 Phone: (785) 296-6400 Email: [email protected] Website: www.dental.ks.gov

Requirements are subject to change, and confirming the latest details with the Board before you apply is always the right first step.