A big part of the appeal of working as a locum tenens dentist is its flexibility—a perk that provides you with the opportunity to travel around the country. As with all other medical providers, locum dentists must have the appropriate state license to practice in that state.
When you work with Barton, we’ll take on the licensing and credentialing logistics and expenses, but it’s still helpful to have a handle on the licensing requirements of each state.
Fastest States to Get a New Dental License
Most states make it fairly easy to get a dental license in multiple states to avoid the challenges caused by staffing shortages and a lack of access to necessary dental care. In several states, the process takes less than two months.
NOTE: This timeline specifically refers to dentists who already have a license in one state and are looking to get a license in another state. All dentists who wish to practice in the United States must first graduate from a dental education program accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), or an Advanced Standing Education Program. No state on the following list requires providers to have a Professional Background Information Services (PBIS) report.
States You Can Get a Dental License in Under 4 Weeks:
- Vermont
- Utah
- Requires Controlled Substance Registration (CSR)
States You Can Get a Dental License in Under 8 Weeks:
- West Virginia
- Requires Fingerprinting
- Rhode Island
- Requires Controlled Substance Registration (CSR)
- New Jersey
- Requires Controlled Substance Registration (CSR)
- New Hampshire
- Nevada
- Requires Fingerprinting
- Requires Controlled Substance Registration (CSR)
- Maryland
- Requires Controlled Substance Registration (CSR)
- Iowa
- Requires Fingerprinting
- Requires Controlled Substance Registration (CSR)
Accepted Exams:
Here are the accepted exams for each of these nine states:
- West Virginia: CDCA, CITA,CRDTS, SRTA, WREB
- Rhode Island: CDCA, CITA
- New Jersey: CDCA, CITA
- New Hampshire: CDCA, CITA, CRDTS, SRTA,
- Nevada: CDCA, CITA
- Maryland: CDCA, CITA
- Iowa: CDCA, CITA,CRDTS, SRTA, WREB
- Vermont: CDCA, CITA,CRDTS, SRTA, WREB
- Utah: CDCA, CITA,CRDTS, SRTA, WREB
Your Dental Licensing Questions Answered
Have other dental licensing questions? We’re here to help!
What are the Best States to Practice Dentistry?
There’s no one correct answer to this question—each state has its own pros and cons, and everyone needs a dentist! If you are a licensed dentist looking to switch gears and work in a different area of the country, however, you might want to consider taking a job in the nine states we outlined above: West Virginia, Rhode Island, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Nevada, Maryland, Iowa, Vermont, and Utah. That’s because, as we explained earlier, there’s a very quick turnaround when it comes to obtaining a license to practice in these states when you already have a license.
Can You Have a Dental License in Multiple States?
Yes! You must have an active dental license in the state in which you are currently operating, but this does not invalidate or negate any existing licenses you already have. This is especially important for locum dentists, who may practice in multiple states within a single year.
What States Have Dental License Reciprocity?
Recently, advocacy groups have finalized the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact, which allows license reciprocity among participating states. So far, only three states have enacted legislation that includes them in the compact: Iowa, Tennessee, and Washington.
Five states have pending legislation that will allow participation in the compact: Kansas, Minnesota, New Jersey, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.
Licensing for Foreign-Trained Dentists: An Overview
Unfortunately, it’s much easier to transfer dental license credentials to another state than it is from another country. Almost all requirements for U.S. dentists are built on national guidelines. It is not the same as starting from scratch, but it will likely require additional education and the completion of additional exams.
Which States Allow Foreign-Trained Dentists?
All states “allow” foreign trained dentists, but none offer an especially expedited process for licensed dental practice. Each state has its own additional legal or education requirements that may require extra hurdles for international dentists, but the biggest challenge for foreign-trained dentists is the requirement to have graduated from a program accredited by CODA, the United States’ accrediting agency for dentists.
How Does a Foreign-Trained Dentist Get Licensed in the U.S.?
The first thing foreign-trained dentists must understand about the U.S. is that requirements for dental licensure vary from state to state. However, there are a few common requirements each state shares.
First, foreign-trained dentists seeking to practice in the U.S. must first graduate from a dental school accredited by CODA. If a foreign-trained dentist does not have a degree from school accredited by CODA, they can instead apply to a CODA-accredited dental education program. These advanced standing dental education programs are designed for foreign-trained dentists with previous education backgrounds, allowing them to earn a D.D.S. or D.M.D. in two to three years.
In addition to education requirements, foreign-trained dentists must pass the Integrated National Board Dental Examination (INBDE), a standardized written exam required by all dentist licensing boards in the country.
Following successful completion of education and written exam requirements, foreign-trained dentists may need to also complete a clinical examination, however specific requirements vary depending on the state.
Limited Dental License States
Minnesota is different from the other 49 states in that it offers a limited dental license for foreign-trained dentists. Foreign-trained dentists in Minnesota can apply to work under the supervision of another dentist for three years without any additional training before applying for a U.S. dental license.
WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT LOCUM TENENS WITH BARTON ASSOCIATES? TALK TO ONE OF OUR REPRESENTATIVES!
Editor’s Note: This blog was originally written in 2021 by Chris Keeley. It has been updated to reflect relevant guidelines and additional content as of October 2023.
