Guide to Obtaining a Dental License in Pennsylvania

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Pennsylvania offers four pathways to dental licensure, covering new graduates, experienced out-of-state clinicians, academic faculty, and retired dentists looking to contribute through volunteer care. Applications are submitted through the Pennsylvania Licensing System (PALS) rather than directly to the dental board — a logistical detail worth knowing before you begin. Pennsylvania also carries a distinctive one-time child abuse recognition and reporting training requirement, along with mandatory CE topics tied to abuse reporting and opioid prescribing at every renewal. 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 18 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 Pennsylvania State Board of Dentistry
  • Hold a current CPR certification

The Four Pathways

1. Initial Licensure by Examination

The standard route for new dental graduates, Pennsylvania accepts four regional clinical examinations, giving candidates meaningful flexibility in which board they sit for.

Requirements:

  • Completion of all general requirements listed above
  • Passing score on one of the following clinical examinations accepted by the Pennsylvania State Board of Dentistry: ADEX, CDCA-WREB-CITA, CRDTS, or SRTA
  • Passing score on the Pennsylvania Dental Law Examination

Steps to licensure: Create an account and complete the online application through the Pennsylvania Licensing System (PALS). Submit official transcripts from your dental school, NBDE/INBDE scores, clinical examination results, and proof of current CPR certification. Pay the required application and licensing fees, pass the Pennsylvania Dental Law Examination, and complete a criminal background check.

2. Licensure by Criteria Approval (Endorsement)

Pennsylvania’s endorsement pathway is available to experienced out-of-state dentists who meet both a graduation timing requirement and a practice history threshold. Notably, the state requires that your dental degree was conferred at least five years before you apply — not just that you’ve been practicing for five years — so recent graduates who practiced elsewhere are not eligible until that threshold is met.

Requirements:

  • A current, active dental license in good standing in another U.S. state
  • Graduation from an accredited dental school at least five years prior to application
  • At least five years of active clinical dental practice
  • At least 30 hours of continuing education completed in the two years prior to application
  • Passing score on the Pennsylvania Dental Law Examination

Steps to licensure: Complete the online application through PALS and pay the required fee. Provide verification of licensure from all states where you hold or have held a dental license, documentation of your active practice history, and certificates of CE completion. Pass the Pennsylvania Dental Law Examination and complete a criminal background check.

3. Restricted Faculty License

Pennsylvania’s restricted faculty license is available to dentists holding a full-time faculty appointment at a Pennsylvania dental school. As with similar pathways in other states, this license is institution-specific — it authorizes practice only in connection with teaching duties at the designated school and does not grant independent clinical practice rights outside that setting.

Requirements:

  • Graduation from a CODA-accredited dental school
  • A full-time faculty appointment at a Pennsylvania dental school
  • Passing score on the Pennsylvania Dental Law Examination

Steps to licensure: Complete the online application through PALS and submit the required fee and documentation of your full-time faculty appointment. Pass the Pennsylvania Dental Law Examination and complete a criminal background check.

4. Temporary Volunteer Dental License

Pennsylvania’s temporary volunteer dental license is designed for retired dentists who wish to continue serving patients in a non-compensated capacity at approved clinics. It’s a time-limited license — valid for no more than 30 days per calendar year — making it best suited for periodic volunteer engagement rather than ongoing practice.

Requirements:

  • A current or prior valid, unrestricted dental license in Pennsylvania or another U.S. state
  • Agreement to provide services without compensation at approved clinics only
  • Passing score on the Pennsylvania Dental Law Examination
  • Practice limited to a maximum of 30 days per calendar year

Steps to licensure: Complete the online application through PALS and submit the required fee and documentation of your current or prior licensure. Pass the Pennsylvania Dental Law Examination and complete a criminal background check.

Maintaining Your License

Pennsylvania dental licenses must be renewed biennially by March 31st of even-numbered years, with 30 hours of continuing education required per renewal period. Two mandatory topic areas apply at every renewal cycle:

  • 2 hours on abuse and neglect recognition and reporting
  • 2 hours on pain management, identification of addiction, or practices related to opioid prescribing or dispensing

All licensees must also maintain a current CPR certification throughout their time in practice.

One additional one-time requirement applies to all Pennsylvania dental licensees: 3 hours of training in child abuse recognition and reporting must be completed as part of the initial licensure process. This is separate from the ongoing biennial abuse and neglect CE requirement and does not need to be repeated at renewal.

Dentists who provide sedation services must comply with the Pennsylvania State Board of Dentistry’s anesthesia rules. If your practice involves any level of sedation, review these requirements and ensure you’re in compliance before offering those services.

For the most current requirements, fee schedules, and application materials, visit the Pennsylvania State Board of Dentistry website or access the Pennsylvania Licensing System at PALS directly. Requirements are subject to change, and confirming the latest details before you apply is always the right first step.