Delaware Dental Licensing

In Delaware, an experienced dentist moving in cannot avoid a hands-on exam. Its dental statute, Title 24, chapter 11 of the Delaware Code, has a section titled "Dentists and dental hygienists licensed in other jurisdictions." But for dentists, that section points back to the requirements for a Delaware-specific license, including "the Delaware practical examination." ADEX's own acceptance map lists Delaware, with New York, as a jurisdiction that does not accept the ADEX dental exam for initial licensure.

What does a Delaware-specific dental license require?

Under 24 Del. C. section 1122(a), an applicant submits evidence "verified by oath and satisfactory to the Board" that they:

1. hold a dental degree from a CODA-accredited school;
2. completed at least two years of undergraduate study before dental school;
3. completed either one year as a dental intern in a CODA-accredited general practice residency, or a CODA-approved specialty residency with the rotations the Board's rules identify;
4. passed the Delaware jurisprudence exam and the National Board examinations; and
5. "successfully completed the Delaware practical examination under § 1123."

Section 1122(c) adds conditions for every applicant: current CPR certification, no disqualifying administrative penalties or consent agreements elsewhere (which the Board may weigh at a hearing or on the documents), no drug or alcohol impairment that limits safe practice, and no conviction substantially related to dentistry unless the Board grants a waiver. See disclosing discipline on a dental application.

Who gives the Delaware practical examination?

Section 1123(a) says an applicant for licensure by examination "shall successfully pass, with a score established by the Board, a validated practical examination prepared and administered by the Board." The exam must be validated by a faculty member of an accredited dental school who is not licensed in Delaware and is chosen by the Division and the Board. An applicant who fails three times may not retake it without showing mitigating circumstances. Applicants also pass a written jurisprudence exam on Delaware law. See dental jurisprudence and law exams by state.

Does the out-of-state section help dentists?

Only partly. Section 1124 says the Board "shall grant a license" to an applicant with current licensure in good standing in another state, DC or a territory who meets several criteria. For dentists, those criteria are a CODA dental degree, "3 years of active dental practice in another state," CPR certification, staying "academically current," and "the requirements under § 1122(a)(1), (a)(2), (a)(4), and (a)(5)." Requirement (a)(5) is the Delaware practical examination.

So the out-of-state route skips the GPR or residency year in section 1122(a)(3), but not the practical exam or the jurisprudence exam. That is why Delaware sits with Florida as a state without an exam-free route for dentists. See states without a dental credentials route.

The section treats hygienists differently. A hygienist licensed elsewhere needs three of the last five years of practice and the national board and jurisprudence exams listed in section 1123(b)(2). See hygienist license by credentials.

What is the community health license?

Section 1132B creates a "community health license to care for underserved populations" for dentists contracted as employees of a federally qualified health center (FQHC) or a government-operated dental clinic. It requires a CODA dental degree, two years of undergraduate study, the Delaware jurisprudence exam and the National Boards, plus either the Delaware practical exam or a nationally recognized exam given by CITA, CRDTS, the CDCA (formerly NERB), SRTA or WREB, or a regional exam the Board finds substantially similar.

The holder may practice only for the FQHC's patients and staff (including its community outreach events) or for the government clinic. The license "becomes a license under § 1122" once the holder proves 3,600 hours over two years at the FQHC or government clinic, counting at most 40 hours a week, of which at least 32 must be patient care. Someone who seeks a section 1122 license before finishing two years must meet the residency and practical exam requirements. For a dentist willing to work in that setting, it is a real path to a full Delaware license without the Delaware practical exam.

Are there other Delaware license types?

Section 1132A provides an academic license for directors or chairs of hospital dental or oral and maxillofacial surgery residency programs, and section 1132 a limited license. Licenses renew every two years with proof of the Board's continuing education. Sedation permits are separate. See faculty and restricted dental licenses.

Is Delaware in the dental compact?

Not yet. A Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact bill is pending in Delaware but has not been enacted, and the compact is not issuing privileges in any state. See the dental compact hub.

How do we help with Delaware?

Because every Delaware dentist license runs through the Delaware practical examination or the community health license, a Delaware file is our Full State Dental License Application service at $899. We confirm whether section 1124 or section 1132B fits you, document your three years of practice or your FQHC contract, gather National Board scores and license verifications, and schedule the practical and jurisprudence exams. You take both exams yourself, verify the application by oath, pay the Board and submit it. Jurisprudence Exam Logistics is $249. Board and exam fees are separate. See the Delaware requirements page or start with the $149 Dental Licensure Readiness Review.