Guide to Obtaining a Dental License in Mississippi

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Mississippi offers one of the more varied dental licensing frameworks in the South, with five distinct pathways covering new graduates, experienced out-of-state clinicians, state institution employees, academic faculty, and dentists with a specific short-term purpose for practicing in the state. A few features set Mississippi apart: the minimum age requirement is 21 rather than 18, licenses renew annually, all licensees must carry professional liability insurance, and dentists are required to register their place of practice with the Board. 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 or equivalent qualifying program
  • Pass all required examinations for their chosen pathway
  • Hold a current CPR certification

The Five Pathways

1. Standard Pathway

The primary route for new dental graduates, this pathway requires passing a board-accepted clinical examination alongside national board scores, a state jurisprudence exam, and a recent photograph — a Mississippi-specific requirement worth noting early.

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 clinical examination accepted by the Mississippi State Board of Dental Examiners
  • Passing score on the Mississippi Jurisprudence Examination
  • Current CPR certification

Steps to licensure: Submit your application to the Mississippi State Board of Dental Examiners along with the required fee. Provide official transcripts from your dental school, NBDE/INBDE scores, clinical examination results, a copy of your current CPR certification, and a recent photograph. Pass the Mississippi Jurisprudence Examination and complete a criminal background check.

2. Licensure by Credentials

Mississippi’s credentials pathway is available to experienced out-of-state dentists, but it comes with a meaningful set of prerequisites beyond practice history alone. Notably, applicants must provide a letter of recommendation from a licensed dentist and have their continuing education current before applying.

Requirements:

  • A current, valid dental license in good standing in another U.S. state
  • Graduation from a CODA-accredited dental program
  • Passing scores on the NBDE or INBDE
  • Passing score on a clinical examination
  • At least five years of active dental practice immediately preceding your application
  • At least 40 hours of continuing education completed in the two years prior to application

Additional steps: Submit verification of licensure from every state where you hold or have held a dental license, documentation of your active practice history — such as employer letters or tax records — certificates of CE completion, and a letter of recommendation from a licensed dentist. The recommendation requirement is distinctive and worth arranging early in your application process.

3. Institutional License

Mississippi’s institutional license is designed for dentists employed full-time by state institutions — most notably the University of Mississippi Medical Center. It provides a formal licensing route tied directly to institutional employment rather than independent clinical practice.

Requirements:

  • Full-time employment at a qualifying state institution
  • Graduation from a CODA-accredited dental school
  • Passing scores on the NBDE or INBDE

Steps to licensure: Submit an application for an institutional license, along with proof of your employment at a qualifying state institution, official dental school transcripts, and NBDE/INBDE scores. A criminal background check is required.

4. Faculty License

Mississippi’s faculty license is specific to dentists employed at the University of Mississippi School of Dentistry. Specialty faculty positions carry an additional requirement tied to the relevant CODA-accredited specialty training program.

Requirements:

  • Current employment as a faculty member at the University of Mississippi School of Dentistry
  • A dental degree from a recognized institution
  • Completion of a CODA-accredited dental specialty education program, if the position is in a specialty area

Steps to licensure: Submit an application for a faculty license, along with proof of your employment at the University of Mississippi School of Dentistry, your dental degree credentials, and — if applicable — documentation of specialty program completion. A criminal background check is required.

5. Temporary License

Mississippi’s temporary license is a narrowly scoped option for dentists licensed in another state who have a specific, board-approved reason to practice temporarily in Mississippi — such as receiving or demonstrating new techniques or procedures. It is not intended for general practice and requires a clear justification to be reviewed and approved by the Board.

Requirements:

  • A current, valid dental license in good standing in another U.S. state
  • A specific, board-approved reason for temporary practice in Mississippi

Steps to licensure: Submit an application for a temporary license, along with verification of your current out-of-state licensure and a detailed written explanation of the purpose for your temporary practice in Mississippi. The required fee must be paid at the time of application.

Renewal and Continuing Education

Mississippi dental licenses must be renewed annually by December 31 — a shorter cycle than most states, which use biennial renewal schedules. Over each two-year period, dentists must complete 40 hours of continuing education to remain eligible for renewal. Building a consistent CE schedule throughout each year will make the annual renewal process far more manageable.

All Mississippi licensees are also required to maintain professional liability insurance and to register their place of practice with the Board — both ongoing obligations that extend well beyond the initial application process.

Additional Notes

The Mississippi State Board of Dental Examiners reserves the right to request additional documentation or an interview from any applicant at any point during the review process. Respond promptly to any Board communications to avoid delays in your application timeline.

For the most current requirements, fee schedules, and application materials, visit the Mississippi State Board of Dental Examiners website or contact their office directly. Requirements are subject to change, and verifying the latest details before you apply is always the right first step.