How to Obtain a Dental License in Washington

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Washington State’s dental licensing framework, overseen by the Dental Quality Assurance Commission (DQAC), stands out in several meaningful ways. Two requirements apply to all applicants that you won’t commonly encounter elsewhere: a seven-hour AIDS education course and a suicide prevention training — both of which must be completed before licensure is granted. Washington’s jurisprudence examination is also unique in that it is open-book with no minimum passing score, and licenses renew annually on your birthday month rather than a fixed calendar date. 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 BLS/CPR certification for healthcare providers
  • Complete seven hours of AIDS/HIV education
  • Complete suicide prevention training

The AIDS education and suicide prevention requirements are Washington-specific and apply universally — confirm that your training meets DQAC standards before submitting your application.

The Four Pathways

1. Traditional Licensure by Examination

The standard route for new dental graduates, Washington accepts three regional clinical examinations and allows a five-year validity window for examination scores — giving candidates reasonable flexibility in timing their application after sitting for the board.

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 DQAC — completed within the past five years: WREB, CRDTS, or CDCA
  • Passing score on the Washington Jurisprudence Examination
  • Official transcripts from your dental school

Steps to licensure: Complete the online application through the Washington Department of Health and pay the required application fee. Submit a recent passport-style photograph and government-issued ID. Arrange for official transcripts to be sent directly from your dental school, and submit your NBDE/INBDE scores, clinical examination results, proof of current BLS/CPR certification, your HIV/AIDS training certificate, and your suicide prevention training certificate. Submit fingerprints through an approved vendor for the criminal background check. Complete the Washington Jurisprudence Examination online — it is open-book and has no minimum passing score, but covers Washington dental laws and regulations thoroughly. Upon Commission approval, your license number and wall certificate will be issued.

2. Licensure by Credential

Washington’s credentials pathway sets a clear and specific practice history standard: applicants must have practiced at least 1,000 hours per year for at least five years, and that practice must fall within the five years immediately preceding the application. This is not a general five-year career threshold — it requires consistent, active, recent practice at a meaningful volume each year. Review your practice history carefully before applying.

Requirements:

  • A current, valid, and unrestricted dental license in good standing in another U.S. state
  • Active dental practice for at least five years, with a minimum of 1,000 hours per year
  • All practice must fall within 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 Washington Jurisprudence Examination

Additional steps: Submit practice history documentation alongside all standard application materials. Provide licensure verifications from all relevant states, CE completion records, and malpractice history documentation. Complete the fingerprint background check and pass the Washington Jurisprudence Examination.

3. Faculty Licensure

Washington’s faculty license is specifically tied to employment at the University of Washington School of Dentistry — unlike broader faculty license pathways in some other states, this one is institution-specific. Notably, it is open to dentists holding a current license in another country as well as other U.S. states. Practice under this license is limited to school-affiliated settings, and the HIV/AIDS training requirement applies here as well.

Requirements:

  • Current faculty employment at the University of Washington School of Dentistry
  • A current dental license in another U.S. state or country
  • A letter of appointment from the dental school
  • Passing score on the Washington Jurisprudence Examination
  • Completion of required HIV/AIDS training

Steps to licensure: Complete the online application and pay the required fee. Submit your letter of appointment from the dental school, verification of your current out-of-state or international license, and your HIV/AIDS training certificate. Complete the fingerprint background check and pass the Washington Jurisprudence Examination.

4. Residency License

Washington’s residency license provides formal authorization for dentists enrolled in Washington State postgraduate dental residency programs. Practice is strictly limited to the scope of the residency program and the license remains valid only for the duration of that enrollment.

Requirements:

  • Current enrollment in a Washington State postgraduate dental residency program
  • A dental degree from a CODA-accredited institution
  • Verification from your program director
  • Passing score on the Washington Jurisprudence Examination

Steps to licensure: Complete the online application and pay the required fee. Submit verification of your enrollment from your program director and documentation of your dental degree credentials. Complete the fingerprint background check and pass the Washington Jurisprudence Examination.

Sedation and Anesthesia Permits

Washington maintains a tiered permitting system for sedation services, with each level carrying distinct requirements beyond the general dental license:

Minimal Sedation is covered under the general dental license. Maintaining a current BLS certification is required — no additional permit needed.

Moderate Sedation requires a separate permit. You must complete a Board-approved training program, pass a facility inspection, maintain current ACLS certification, 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, current ACLS certification, and additional CE requirements. Given the facility inspection involved, begin this process well in advance of when you intend to offer these services.

Maintaining Your License

Washington dental licenses renew annually on your birthday month — a distinctive schedule that differs from the fixed-date renewal used by most states. Mark your renewal date clearly and plan your continuing education accordingly. Each three-year period requires 63 hours of continuing education, with the following mandatory topic areas:

  • 3 hours on infection control
  • 3 hours on medical emergencies
  • 3 hours on law and ethics
  • Opioid prescribing education — required for dentists who prescribe

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

Dentists who prescribe controlled substances must register with Washington’s Prescription Monitoring Program. Professional liability insurance is strongly recommended, though not formally mandated for all licensees.

Additional Notes

Mobile dental facilities require additional registration with the DQAC — if your practice involves a mobile unit, address this requirement separately before operating.

Emergency Temporary Permits are available during declared emergencies for dentists holding a valid license in another state. These are time-limited and may carry practice restrictions, but expedited processing is available when circumstances require it.

Military spouses may be eligible for expedited application processing — contact the DQAC directly to inquire. The Commission also conducts regular practice audits and enforces mandatory reporting of unprofessional conduct — both ongoing compliance expectations throughout your time in practice in Washington.

A few procedural notes: applications remain active for one year from submission, but incomplete applications will be held for only 180 days before being purged. All fees are non-refundable, and false information on your application may result in license denial. Processing typically takes four to six weeks from the time a complete application is received.

For the most current requirements, fee schedules, and application materials, contact the Washington State Dental Quality Assurance Commission directly:

Department of Health P.O. Box 47852 Olympia, WA 98504-7852 Phone: (360) 236-4700 Email: [email protected] Website: doh.wa.gov/licenses-permits-and-certificates/professions-new-renew-or-update/dentist

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