Dentist License – Foreign-Educated Graduates

License Requirements

Recognized Specialties: Endodontics, Periodontics, Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Pediatric Dentistry, Dental Public Health, Prosthodontics, Oral Medicine, Orofacial Pain, or Dental Anesthesiology.

Programs Not Accepted/Not Recognized by the Texas Dental Board include: ​General Practice Residency (GPR) will not be recognized in lieu of completing a Regional Clinical Examination.

Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) will not be recognized in lieu of completing a Regional Clinical Examination.

Beginning October 1, 2021, applicants applying for licensure or registration with the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (TSBDE) must complete a course in human trafficking prevention approved by the executive commissioner of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission and submit proof of completion with their application. This will be in addition to all required documentation that needs to be submitted to the TSBDE. For information on where to find approved courses, please click here.

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To Request Approval to Take a Regional Examining Board

After completing an ADA CODA-accredited specialty residency education program and NBDE Part I and II or the INBDE, foreign graduates may request approval from the TSBDE to take a general dentistry regional clinical examination.  

Submit the Request for Regional Examining Board Approval Form along with its requirements. TSBDE does not charge a fee to process this form. Contact the Licensing division at licensinghelp@tsbde.texas.gov for the current form.

Regional Clinical Examining Boards

You can find a list of designated regional examining boards in Rule §101.2(c)(1). Examination results are only valid seven (7) years from the date of examination. Effective January 1, 2019, an applicant who takes an examination after this date must also successfully complete the periodontics and prosthodontics sections of an exam.

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Application & Supplemental Documents

Must be mailed to TSBDE

• Dental Licensure by Examination Application and select Foreign Graduate Licensure and fee. Application Fee.
• 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 current Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR certification, must include hands on demonstration of skills.
• Copy of driver’s license, naturalization papers, or passport.
• Proof of successful completion of dental school education issued by a foreign dental school.  (The transcript or diploma must be translated to English if in another language, and must be in the original sealed envelope.)
• Official final transcript of the ADA- approved specialty in a CODA-accredited education program that consists of at least two (2) full time academic years of training.
• Proof of completion of the NBDE Part I and II or the INBDE. TSBDE will electronically validate scores that have been made available to Texas. Applicants will need to contact ADA’s department of testing to ensure access.
• 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. If the report is mailed, score reports must remain in the original, sealed envelope. TSBDE currently validates scores from ADEX, CDCA-WREB-CITA, CRDTS, and 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 the TSBDE Jurisprudence Assessment for dentists without sedation taken within 12 months of submitting your application for licensure.
• National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) Self-Query.  The report results must remain in the original sealed envelope and be attached to your application. NPDB self-query reports are valid for 60 days. You can contact the NPDB at (800) 767-6732, or website https://www.npdb.hrsa.gov/pract/howToGetStarted.jsp
• If you hold a license in another state(s) within the United States, a verification/certification of licensure with an official seal is required from each state in which you have held a license. This verification of licensure must be received in its own sealed, unopened envelope.
• Proof of the Health and Human Services (HHS) approved Human Trafficking Course completion certificate.

Upon receipt of a completed application, staff will email the applicant fingerprint instructions.

Please note that you MUST self report your previously issued dental assistant registration even if it was issued by TSBDE. Failure to do so will result in licensure processing delays.

If the RDA registration has been canceled, you MUST answer, “Yes” on the license history question #2 on the application and submit a signed and notarized affidavit explained in detail. Failure to disclose any of the requested information may result in the denial of your application or other appropriate action.

Military Applicants: U.S. Military Active Duty, Veterans, and U.S. Military Active Duty Spouses are required to submit a paper application and select your method of licensure. All of the above supplemental documents are required along with a a copy of your Military Change of Station Orders, Identification Card or a document showing proof of Honorable or General Discharge.

Please allow 3 – 4 weeks for processing once the TSBDE has received a completed application.  Incomplete applications will delay the process.  Please do not contact the Licensing Division to check the status of your application unless it has been longer than 4 weeks and you have not been contacted via mail.  Once your application has been approved, you will receive an approval letter via the U.S. mail advising you of the license activation process. 

Dental Licensure Application

Dentist Temporary Licensure for Charitable Purpose

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Initial Renewal (License Activation) Process

The status of your license will be Expired after it is first issued. You will receive a letter in the mail with instructions for paying your prorated initial renewal (activation) fee online.  This fee will activate your license and change the status to Active.  This letter will authorize you to practice for 30 days.  Once you pay your fee online you should receive your new license in the mail approximately 7-10 days later. Exception:  Military applicants are not required to pay to activate their license.  The license will be issued and mailed to the applicant after the application has been approved.  

• Register for a secure online account. If account exists, simply log-in.
  • User ID (email) – use a personal email address (not assigned by college)
  • Receive a temporary password from donotreply@hpc.state.tx.us
  • Log-in with temporary password and choose a permanent password (write down the user id and password)

Be sure you have your license number before proceeding to the next step. If you have not received your approval letter in the mail, you may also verify your license from the board’s website under Search Licensees.

• From the  Quick Start Menu, select ⇢ Update Profile →Add Licenses
• Complete the application; submit fees with MasterCard, Visa, Discover, or American Express. Application and payment summaries will be emailed to you along with the required fingerprint information session.

Your first license may be valid anywhere between 18- 30 months. A renewal postcard reminder will be mailed to the mailing address on file with the TSBDE approximately 60 days prior to your license expiration date.

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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 email it to licensinghelp@tsbde.texas.gov.

Designation of Records Form

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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.