How to Obtain a Dental License in West Virginia

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The West Virginia Board of Dental Examiners is the regulatory authority responsible for licensing and overseeing dentists practicing in the state. West Virginia offers several licensing pathways to accommodate new graduates, experienced clinicians relocating from other states, dental educators, and dentists in training. Below is a comprehensive overview of each pathway, the application process, and what’s required to maintain your license in good standing.

General Requirements

All applicants must meet the following baseline criteria before a dental license can be issued, regardless of which pathway applies:

  • 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)
  • Pass a criminal background check
  • Hold a current CPR certification
  • Provide proof of identity and legal right to work in the United States

Pathways to Licensure

1. Traditional Licensure by Examination

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

Requirements

Applicants must have passed the National Board Dental Examination (NBDE) Parts I and II or the Integrated National Board Dental Examination (INBDE), and must have successfully completed one of the following board-accepted clinical examinations within the past ten years: the Commission on Dental Competency Assessments (CDCA), the Southern Regional Testing Agency (SRTA), the Central Regional Dental Testing Service (CRDTS), the Western Regional Examining Board (WREB), or the Council of Interstate Testing Agencies (CITA).

Official transcripts from your dental school must be submitted directly from the institution, and applicants must pass the West Virginia Jurisprudence Examination, which covers state-specific dental laws and regulations.

2. Licensure by Credentials

This pathway is available to experienced dentists who hold an active license in another U.S. state and are seeking to bring their practice to West Virginia.

Requirements

Applicants must hold a current, valid, and unrestricted dental license in another state with no disciplinary actions pending or in effect. You must have been actively practicing dentistry for at least five years immediately preceding the application and have completed a minimum of 20 hours of continuing education within the past two years. Applicants must also pass the West Virginia Jurisprudence Examination, submit verification of licensure from every state in which they’ve held a dental license, provide documentation of their malpractice history, and submit proof of continuing education completion.

3. Teaching Permit

The teaching permit is intended for dentists who are employed as faculty members at an accredited dental school in West Virginia and wish to practice within that educational setting.

Requirements

Applicants must hold a current dental license in another U.S. state or country and must be employed as a faculty member at an accredited West Virginia dental institution. A letter of appointment from the dental school must be submitted as part of the application. This permit restricts practice exclusively to the educational setting and does not authorize general dental practice in the state. Applicants must also pass the West Virginia Jurisprudence Examination.

4. Dental Intern Permit

This permit is designed for dental graduates who are participating in a formal dental internship program in West Virginia.

Requirements

Applicants must be graduates of an approved dental college and be actively enrolled in a dental internship program. Verification from the program director must be submitted, and the permit is valid for one year with the possibility of renewal. Practice under this permit is limited to the internship location.

Application Process

Getting Started

Begin by completing the online application through the West Virginia Board of Dental Examiners and paying the application fee ($185). You’ll also need to submit a recent passport-style photograph and a government-issued ID.

Background Check

All applicants must submit fingerprints through an approved vendor and pay the associated fingerprinting fee. Both state and federal background checks will be conducted, and a background check authorization form must be completed.

Required Documentation

Your application must be accompanied by the following supporting materials:

  • Official transcripts sent directly from your dental school
  • National Board Examination scores
  • Regional clinical examination scores
  • License verifications from any other states where you’ve held a dental license (if applicable)
  • Proof of current CPR certification
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Practice history verification (required for the credentials pathway)

West Virginia Jurisprudence Examination

All applicants must pass the West Virginia Jurisprudence Examination with a minimum score of 75%. The examination covers West Virginia dental laws and regulations and must be completed before your license can be issued.

Final Steps

Once your completed application has been reviewed and approved by the Board, your license will be issued and you’ll receive your license number and wall certificate. Processing typically takes between four and eight weeks.

Maintaining Your License

West Virginia dental licenses must be renewed annually by June 30th, with a renewal fee of $185. To remain in good standing, licensees must complete 35 hours of continuing education every two years, which must include 3 hours of drug diversion training, 3 hours of infection control, and 2 hours of medical ethics. A current CPR certification must be maintained throughout the renewal period.

Licensees are required to report any disciplinary actions or criminal convictions to the Board and must notify the Board of any address changes within 30 days.

Additional Requirements

Dentists who prescribe controlled substances must register with the West Virginia Controlled Substances Monitoring Program. All licensees are required to maintain professional liability insurance, display their license at their primary practice location, and comply with applicable OSHA and CDC guidelines. Dentists are also required to report certain medical conditions and any substance abuse issues in accordance with the Board’s mandatory reporting requirements.

Anesthesia Permits

Minimal sedation using nitrous oxide is covered under the general dental license, provided the dentist completes a board-approved course. Dentists who wish to provide conscious sedation or general anesthesia must obtain additional permits for each level. Both require completion of an approved training or residency program, a facility inspection, maintenance of ACLS certification, and ongoing continuing education specific to anesthesia administration.

Special Considerations

Military Spouses: Spouses of active-duty military members may be eligible for expedited application processing. Contact the Board directly for details.

Volunteer and Charitable Event Permits: Permits are available for dentists wishing to provide services at volunteer or charitable events on a short-term basis.

Emergency Temporary Permits: During declared emergencies, temporary permits may be made available to dentists who hold a valid license in another state. These permits are limited in duration and may carry practice restrictions, but expedited processing is available.

Volunteer License: Retired dentists who previously held a West Virginia dental license may be eligible for a volunteer license, which permits practice limited to charitable work. No fee is required for this license, though continuing education requirements still apply.

For the most current requirements, fees, and application materials, contact the West Virginia Board of Dental Examiners directly:

West Virginia Board of Dental Examiners 1319 Robert C. Byrd Drive, PO Box 1447 Crab Orchard, WV 25827 Phone: (304) 252-8266 Email: [email protected] Website: wvdentalboard.org