Guide to Obtaining a Dental License in Ohio

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The Ohio State Dental Board is the regulatory authority responsible for licensing and overseeing dentists practicing in the state. Ohio offers several licensing pathways depending on where you are in your career — whether you’re a newly graduated dentist, an experienced clinician moving from another state, or a dental resident in training. Below is a breakdown of what each pathway requires and how to navigate the application process.

General Requirements

Regardless of which licensing pathway applies to you, all applicants must meet the following baseline criteria:

  • Be at least 18 years of age
  • Be of good moral character
  • Have graduated from a dental school accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)
  • Have passed the National Board Dental Examination (NBDE) Parts I and II, or the Integrated National Board Dental Examination (INBDE)
  • Have passed a clinical examination accepted by the Ohio State Dental Board

Pathways to Licensure

1. Initial Licensure by Examination

This is the standard route for dentists who have recently completed their dental education and are entering the profession for the first time.

Requirements

In addition to meeting all general requirements above, applicants must pass one of the following board-accepted clinical examinations: the Commission on Dental Competency Assessments (CDCA-WREB-CITA), the Southern Regional Testing Agency (SRTA), or the Central Regional Dental Testing Service (CRDTS). You must also pass the Ohio Jurisprudence Exam, which tests your knowledge of Ohio-specific dental laws and regulations.

Application Steps

Submit a completed application through Ohio’s eLicense system along with all required documentation and applicable fees. Full details on required documents are outlined in the Application Process section below.

2. Licensure by Credentials

This pathway is available to experienced dentists who are already licensed in another U.S. state and wish to relocate their practice to Ohio.

Requirements

Applicants must hold an active dental license in good standing from another state and demonstrate a sustained record of active clinical practice — defined as at least 1,000 clinical hours per year for five consecutive years immediately preceding the application. You’ll also need to provide proof of 40 hours of continuing education completed within the past two years and pass the Ohio Jurisprudence Exam.

Application Steps

Submit a completed application with all required documentation, including verification of your out-of-state licensure, proof of practice activity, and continuing education certificates, along with the required fees.

3. Limited Resident’s License

This license is specifically designed for dentists who are enrolled in a dental residency program in Ohio.

Requirements

Applicants must be graduates of a CODA-accredited dental school and have been accepted into an Ohio-based dental residency program. This license is valid only for the duration of the residency and restricts practice to the approved facility.

Application Steps

Submit a completed application with the required documentation and fees. Because the license is tied to a specific program and location, any change in residency status or facility would affect its validity.

4. Temporary Limited Continuing Education License

This license allows out-of-state dentists to provide dental education in Ohio on a short-term basis.

Requirements

Applicants must hold a current, valid dental license in another state and must have been formally invited to teach, demonstrate, or provide dental services in connection with a continuing education course being held in Ohio.

Application Steps

Submit a completed application with the required documentation and fees. This license is valid for up to 10 days per calendar year and does not authorize general dental practice in Ohio outside of the approved educational context.

Application Process

All applicants — regardless of pathway — will go through the following general steps:

  1. Create an account and complete the online application through the Ohio eLicense system
  2. Submit all required supporting documents, which typically include:
    • Official transcripts from your dental school
    • NBDE or INBDE scores
    • Clinical examination scores
    • Proof of current CPR certification
    • Verification of licensure from any other states where you’ve held a license (if applicable)
  3. Pay all required application and licensing fees
  4. Undergo a criminal background check through both the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) and the FBI
  5. Pass the Ohio Jurisprudence Exam

Maintaining Your License

Once licensed in Ohio, you’ll need to keep up with the following to remain in good standing:

  • Renew your license biennially by December 31st of odd-numbered years
  • Complete 40 hours of continuing education every two years, which must include at least 20 hours of supervised clinical instruction and 2 hours specifically focused on ethics or Ohio dental law
  • Maintain a current CPR certification throughout the renewal period

Additional Requirements

All Ohio dental licensees are required to complete an approved course on identifying and reporting abuse and neglect of children and adults — this is a one-time requirement and must be fulfilled as part of the licensing process. Dentists who provide sedation services must also ensure full compliance with the Ohio State Dental Board’s sedation rules, which may include additional permitting.

For the most current information on fees, application materials, and regulatory updates, contact the Ohio State Dental Board directly or visit their official website.