License by Exam

General License Requirements

Specific Licensure by Examination Requirements

Human Trafficking Prevention Course Requirement:

  • Effective October 1, 2021, applicants for licensure or registration with the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (TSBDE) must complete a course in human trafficking prevention.
  • This course must be approved by the executive commissioner of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.
  • Proof of completion must be submitted with the application, in addition to all other required documentation.
  • Information on approved courses is available here.

Application Documentation Submission:

  • All necessary documentation can be uploaded and attached directly to your online application, with the exception of official school transcripts, National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) reports, and licensure verification(s).

Military Applicants:  Follow this link for specific application information.

Other Professional License, Permit, or Registration

  • Self-Reporting Prior Registration: You MUST self-report your previously issued dental assistant registration, nurse, pharmacy technician, etc. from any other state or country including the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners: Failure to do so will result in licensure processing delays. For each license you have ever held, you must obtain verification of the status of that license and list the information on the application. The verification must include the license number, the date issued, the current status, its expiration date, and whether any disciplinary action, sanction, or restriction was issued. A copy of the license alone is not acceptable. Verification must be received in its own sealed unopened envelope from the issuing entity.
  • Canceled RDA Registration: If your RDA registration has been canceled, you MUST answer, “Yes” on license history question #2 on the application and submit a signed and notarized affidavit explaining the cancellation in detail.
  • Disclosure Requirement: Failure to disclose any requested information may result in the denial of your application or other appropriate action.

Online Application Process

To begin your application for an Initial Dentist License by Examination, please follow these steps:

  1. Register or Log In:
    • Navigate to the secure online account system.
    • If you do not have an account, register for a new one. If you are a returning user, simply log in.
  2. Set Up Your Account:
    • User ID: Use a personal email address (do not use an email assigned by your college).
    • You will receive a temporary password via email from donotreply@hpc.state.tx.us.
    • Log in with the temporary password and create a permanent password. Be sure to record your user ID (email) and permanent password.
  3. Start Your Application:
    • From the Quick Start Menu, select Start a New Application.
    • Choose Board: Texas State Board of Dental Examiners.
    • Choose Application: Initial Dentist by Exam.
  4. Complete and Submit:
    • Fill out the application completely.
    • Submit the required fees using a MasterCard, Visa, Discover, or American Express.
    • Important: You will receive an email confirmation of your application and payment summary, along with instructions for the required fingerprinting session. Note that your application is not complete until you have also mailed in the required supporting documents listed separately.

Apply Online

Application & Supplemental Documents

  • 1- 2×2 passport photo
    • Your head must face the camera directly with full face in view.
    • You must have a neutral facial expression or a natural smile, with both eyes open.
    • Use a plain white or off-white background.
    • Be sized correctly
  • Copy of driver’s license, naturalization papers, or passport.
    • A valid, unexpired driver’s license or state identification certificate issued by a state or territory of the United States that complies with the minimum document requirements and issuance standards for federal recognition under the REAL ID Act of 2005, Public Law 109-13, unless the driver’s license is marked “Limited Term” or “Temporary;”
    • a valid, unexpired driver’s license or state identification certificate that does not comply with REAL ID issued by one of the following states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia, Wisconsin, or Wyoming;
    • a valid passport. Valid passport is defined as: (i) an unexpired passport or passport card issued by the United States government; or (ii) an unexpired passport issued by the government of another country accompanied by a current permanent resident card or unexpired immigrant visa issued by the United States Department of Homeland Security;
    • a valid, unexpired license to carry a handgun issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety under Government Code, Chapter 411, Subchapter H;
    • a United States Certificate of Naturalization (Form N-550 or N-570); or
    • a United States Certificate of Citizenship (Form N-560 or N-561);
  • Copy of current Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR certification, must include hands on demonstration of skills.
  • Official school transcript showing proof of graduation from a Commission on Dental Accreditation-accredited (CODA) dental school.  Transcripts must remain in the original, sealed and unopened envelope.
  • Completion of National Boards Parts I and II or the INBDE. TSBDE will electronically validate scores that have been made available to Texas. The applicant will need to contact ADA’s department of testing services to ensure Texas will be able to access your results.
  • Proof of completion of a general dentistry clinical examination administered by a regional clinical examining board dated within seven (7) years from the date of examination. TSBDE will electronically validate scores that have been made available to Texas. Score reports must remain in the original sealed envelope if they are mailed in. Click here for a list of regional clinical examining boards recognized by the TSBDE. TSBDE currently validates scores from ADEX and CRDTS-SRTA.
    • Pursuant to TSBDE Rule 101.2(e), an applicant who takes an examination after January 1, 2019, must also successfully complete the periodontics and prosthodontics sections of an exam approved by a designated regional examining board. During the COVID-19 pandemic, most regional examining boards did not offer a clinical periodontics section due to COVID-19 restrictions. During that time TSBDE accepted the CTP and DSE OSCE, because it included a perio component.
    • Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, most regional boards now offer a periodontics section that may be taken on a manikin/simulation. TSBDE will accept regional examining board results based on what was offered by the examining board at the time of the exam. Moving forward, if a periodontics/prosthodontic portion is offered, TSBDE would require the applicant to complete that section for licensure.
  • Proof of completion of TSBDE Jurisprudence Assessment for dentists without sedation dated within one year immediately prior to application submission.
  • National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) Self-Query.  Report results must remain in the original sealed envelope.  NPDB self-query reports are valid for 60 days. Contact the NPDB at telephone number (800) 767-6732, or website http://www.npdb.hrsa.gov/pract/howToGetStarted.jsp.
  • For applicants who hold or have every held a professional license, permit or registration (dental assistant, nurse, pharmacy technician, etc.) in Texas, or any other state including the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners: For each license you have ever held, you must obtain verification of the status of that license and list the information on the application. The verification must include the license number, the date issued, the current status, its expiration date, and whether any disciplinary action, sanction, or restriction was issued. A copy of the license alone is not acceptable. Verification must be received in its own sealed unopened envelope.
  • Proof of the Health and Human Services (HHS) approved Human Trafficking Course completion certificate.

General Application Information

  • Application Status: Allow four (4) weeks from the date the required documentation was mailed to our office before checking your status. You can view the status through your online account.
  • Checking for Deficiencies: If your application status is “Open” and has been reviewed, you can find any noted deficiencies by selecting “Details.” This information is available from the “Quick Start Menu” under “View Application Status.”
  • Incomplete Applications: Please note that incomplete applications will cause processing delays.
  • Approval Notification: Upon approval, an approval letter detailing the next steps will be sent to your online licensing account.

Initial License Activation (First Renewal)

After your license is first issued, its status will be Expired. To activate your license and change the status to Active, you must complete the initial renewal process, which involves paying a prorated activation fee online.

You will receive an approval letter via your online licensing account providing instructions for paying this fee. Note: This letter will temporarily authorize you to practice for 30 days. Once the fee is paid online, your physical decorative wall license will be mailed within 7–10 days.

Exception for Military Applicants: Military applicants are not required to pay the activation fee. Their license will be issued and mailed after the application is approved.

Steps for Initial Renewal:

  1. Register or Log In to Your Online Account:
    • Register for a secure online account, using a personal email address (not one assigned by your college) as your User ID.
    • If an account already exists, simply log in.
    • You will receive a temporary password from donotreply@hpc.state.tx.us.
    • Log in with the temporary password and create a permanent password. It is recommended to write down your User ID and new password.
  2. Verify Your License Number:
    • Ensure you have your license number before proceeding.  If you have not yet received your approval letter, you can verify your license using the board’s website under Search Licensees.
  3. Complete the Activation:
    • From the Quick Start Menu, navigate to Update Profile and select Add Licenses.
    • Complete the application and submit the prorated initial renewal fees using MasterCard, Visa, Discover, or American Express.
    • An email confirming the application and payment will be sent to you.

License Validity and Future Renewals:

Your first license may be valid for a period between 18 and 30 months. A renewal postcard reminder will be mailed to the mailing address on file with the TSBDE about 60 days before your license’s expiration date.

Designation of Records

This form is to be used by the licensed Texas dentist to designate a custodian of records upon initial licensure and at each renewal period.  Dental records are the sole property of the dentist who performs the dental service, unless otherwise designated per Board rules. Please provide the following information to appropriately designate ownership of records and appointment of a custodian, if necessary.  Upon completion of the form, you may upload it to your online licensing account.

Designation of Records Form

Additional Information

  • Anesthesia Permits. Dentists must hold an active Texas Dental License before an application for an anesthesia permit can be processed.
  • Change of Address. Licensees are required to notify the Board within 60 days of a change in address.
  • CPR Requirement. CPR Courses must include a hands-on demonstration of skills by the applicant on a manikin and a written assessment of skills.
  • Foreign Language Documents. All documents issued in a foreign language must be translated to English.
  • Name Changes. If your name has changed since you took any licensing exam or were licensed in another state or country, you are required to submit documentation that verifies the name on your application.