How to Obtain a Dental License in Vermont

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Vermont offers four pathways to dental licensure, including a dedicated public health dental license that reflects the state’s commitment to expanding access to care in underserved communities. Vermont’s framework is notable for a few reasons: clinical examination scores are valid for five years — more generous than many states — three letters of reference are required across pathways, and the continuing education requirements at renewal include three distinct mandatory topic areas. 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 a criminal background check
  • Hold a current CPR certification
  • Provide proof of U.S. citizenship or legal right to work in the United States

The Four Pathways

1. Traditional Licensure by Examination

The standard route for new dental graduates, Vermont accepts five regional clinical examinations and allows a five-year window for examination score validity — giving candidates more flexibility than states that require scores within one or two years of application.

Requirements:

  • 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 Vermont Board of Dental Examiners — completed within the past five years: CDCA, CRDTS, SRTA, WREB, or CITA
  • Passing score on the Vermont Jurisprudence Examination (minimum passing score of 75%)
  • Official transcripts from your dental school

Steps to licensure: Complete the online application through the Vermont Board of Dental Examiners and pay the required application fee. Submit a recent photograph and proof of identity. Arrange for official transcripts to be sent directly from your dental school, and submit your NBDE/INBDE scores, clinical examination results, proof of current CPR certification, and three letters of reference. Submit fingerprints and pay the fingerprinting fee for the criminal background check — allow four to six weeks for processing. Pass the Vermont Jurisprudence Examination, and upon Board approval, your license number and certificate will be issued.

2. Licensure by Credentials (Endorsement)

Vermont’s credentials pathway is available to experienced out-of-state dentists who hold a current, unrestricted license and have been in active clinical practice within a defined timeframe. The state requires documentation of malpractice history and a clean disciplinary record — no pending or active actions against any license held — so have those records organized well before you begin your application.

Requirements:

  • A current, valid, and unrestricted dental license in good standing in another U.S. state
  • Active dental practice for at least three of the five years immediately preceding your application
  • Proof of continuing education completion in your current jurisdiction
  • No disciplinary actions pending or in effect against any license held
  • Verification of licensure from all states where you currently hold or have previously held a license
  • Documentation of malpractice history
  • Passing score on the Vermont Jurisprudence Examination

Steps to licensure: Complete the online application and pay the required fee. Submit a recent photograph and proof of identity. Provide licensure verifications from all relevant states, documentation of your practice history and CE completion, malpractice history records, and three letters of reference. Complete the fingerprint background check and pass the Vermont Jurisprudence Examination.

3. Limited Faculty License

Vermont’s limited faculty license is available to dentists employed at accredited dental education programs in the state. Unlike some states that restrict this pathway to full-time faculty, Vermont’s faculty license is open to dentists holding a current license in another country as well as other U.S. states — making it one of the more internationally accessible faculty options available. Practice under this license is limited to the educational setting.

Requirements:

  • Current faculty employment at a CODA-accredited dental education program in Vermont
  • A current dental license in another U.S. state or country
  • A letter of appointment from the dental program
  • Passing score on the Vermont Jurisprudence Examination

Steps to licensure: Complete the online application and pay the required fee. Submit your letter of appointment from the dental program and verification of your current out-of-state or international license. Complete the fingerprint background check and pass the Vermont Jurisprudence Examination.

4. Public Health Dental License

Vermont’s public health dental license is a distinctive pathway that ties licensure directly to employment in a public health setting or federally qualified health center. It’s designed to support access to dental care in Vermont’s underserved communities, and practice under this license is limited to the designated public health setting.

Requirements:

  • Current employment in a qualifying public health setting or federally qualified health center in Vermont
  • A current dental license in another U.S. state
  • Verification of employment at the qualifying setting
  • Passing score on the Vermont Jurisprudence Examination

Steps to licensure: Complete the online application and pay the required fee. Submit verification of your employment at a qualifying public health setting and documentation of your current out-of-state license. Complete the fingerprint background check and pass the Vermont Jurisprudence Examination.

Sedation and Anesthesia Permits

Vermont maintains a tiered permitting system for sedation services — each level carries distinct requirements beyond the general dental license:

Minimal Sedation is covered under the general dental license. No additional permit is required.

Moderate Sedation requires a separate permit. You must complete a Board-approved training program, pass a facility inspection, and fulfill additional CE requirements specific to this permit level.

Deep Sedation and General Anesthesia also requires a separate permit. Eligibility requires completion of an approved residency program, a facility inspection, and additional CE requirements. Begin the permitting process well in advance of when you plan to offer these services, as facility inspections can take time to schedule.

Specialty Licensure

Vermont offers specialty licensure for dentists who have completed advanced postdoctoral training in a recognized specialty area. To qualify, you must hold a current Vermont general dental license, have completed a CODA-accredited specialty program, and submit specialty training verification along with a separate application and fee.

Maintaining Your License

Vermont dental licenses must be renewed biennially, with a renewal fee of $185. Over each two-year renewal period, dentists must complete 40 hours of continuing education, with the following mandatory topic requirements:

  • 2 hours on infection control
  • 2 hours on prescription drug abuse prevention
  • 2 hours on dental recordkeeping

All licensees must maintain a current CPR certification throughout their time in practice and must display their license at their primary practice location. Any change of address must be reported to the Board within 30 days, and any disciplinary actions or criminal convictions must be reported promptly.

Two additional ongoing obligations apply to all Vermont dental licensees:

  • Dentists who prescribe controlled substances must register with the Vermont Prescription Monitoring System.
  • All licensees are required to maintain professional liability insurance.

Additional Notes

Vermont participates in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, which may streamline the licensing process for dentists relocating from other compact member states — contact the Board directly to understand how this may apply to your situation.

Military spouses may be eligible for expedited application processing. Temporary licenses may also be available in specific circumstances, and pro bono clinics may have special licensing provisions. Reach out to the Vermont Board of Dental Examiners directly for details on any of these options.

A few procedural notes worth keeping in mind: applications remain active for one year from submission, but incomplete applications will be purged after six months — submit complete documentation from the outset to avoid delays. All fees are non-refundable, and providing false information on your application may result in license denial.

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

Office of Professional Regulation 89 Main Street, 3rd Floor Montpelier, VT 05620 Phone: (802) 828-1505 Email: [email protected] Website: sos.vermont.gov/dental-examiners

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