Michigan Dental Licensing

Michigan licenses out-of-state dentists by endorsement after one year of licensure in good standing, but what your file needs depends on whether you have been licensed for five years and whether your state required a clinical exam. Every applicant also completes implicit bias and human trafficking training. Here is how Michigan's endorsement tiers work.

Michigan's Bureau of Professional Licensing, part of the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), handles dentist licenses for the Michigan Board of Dentistry. Its Dentist Licensing Guide (revised June 7, 2024) sets out two routes, by examination and by endorsement. Endorsement is open after a single year of licensure elsewhere, but what you must prove changes at the five-year mark.

What does every Michigan applicant need?

The guide lists requirements that apply to all applicants, by exam or endorsement:

An online application through MiPLUS and the application fee: $322.40 for a dentist by endorsement or by exam.
A criminal background check. After you submit the application, you receive an Application Confirmation letter with fingerprinting instructions.
Implicit bias training: "at least 2 hours of implicit bias training within the five years immediately preceding issuance of the license."
Human trafficking training meeting Administrative Rule 338.11123, completed before the license is issued. It is a one-time requirement.
Verification of licensure sent directly by every state or country "in which you hold or ever held a license," showing no pending proceedings and no sanctions in force.
English language proficiency, shown by a dental program taught in English, at least 60 college credits from an English-speaking school, or an approved proficiency exam.
Answers to the good moral character questions, with documentation for any "yes."

See license verifications for dentists and hygienists and fingerprints and background checks for dental licenses.

How does endorsement change at five years?

All endorsement applicants "must have held a license as a dentist in good standing in another state for 1 year prior to applying," and submit current BLS or ACLS certification with a hands-on component, earned within the two years before the license is issued. After that, the guide sorts applicants into three tiers:

Licensed in another state for less than five years. You submit transcripts showing a CODA-accredited DDS or DMD (or a qualifying two-year CODA specialty program), your National Board scores directly from the JCNDE, and "passing scores of all parts, written and clinical, of the American Board of Dental Examiners, Inc (ADEX) clinical examination." If you passed a different regional or state exam, you "may petition the board for review" of whether it is substantially equivalent to ADEX.
Licensed for at least five years in a state that required a regional or state exam. You provide certification of your passing scores directly from the testing agency or state board.
Licensed for at least five years in a state that did not require a regional or state exam. You provide passing scores on all parts of ADEX or another regional exam, or you "may petition the board for a determination that the applicant's credentials are substantially equivalent" instead of taking an exam.

Tier three is the one that matters for dentists whose first license came through a residency rather than an exam. A petition is a request, not an entitlement, so build the evidence carefully. See the PGY-1 residency route to a dental license.

What does the exam route require?

A new graduate applying by examination needs a CODA-accredited DDS or DMD, National Board scores from the JCNDE, and "passing scores for all parts, written and clinical, of the American Board of Dental Examiners, Inc (ADEX) examination that is conducted by CDCA-WREB-CITA, or another regional testing agency." The guide adds: "Non-ADEX examinations are NOT accepted." Exam applicants also need BLS or ACLS with a hands-on component. See your first dental license as a new graduate.

Do I need a separate controlled substance license?

Yes, if you will prescribe or dispense controlled substances in Michigan. The controlled substance license fee is $259.10. You can apply for it on the dentist application, or wait until the dentist license is issued and apply then. Anyone seeking a controlled substance license must first complete training in opioids and controlled substances awareness under Rule 338.3135. See DEA and state controlled substance registrations for dentists.

Does Michigan license specialties separately?

Michigan licenses dental specialties, and the guide says "you must be issued your dentist license prior to applying for any dental specialty." A specialist moving to Michigan files the dentist application first, then the specialty application. See specialty licenses and permits for dentists.

How do renewal and CE work?

LARA's Dentistry FAQ says a dentist license is issued for three years, renewal opens about 90 days before expiration, and renewals are done online. You do not submit CE proof with the renewal, but you must keep documentation for four years in case of an audit. See dental CE requirements across states.

Is Michigan in the dental compact?

Not yet. A Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact bill is pending in Michigan, but it has not been enacted, and no compact privileges are being issued in any state. See the dental compact hub.

Can we prepare a Michigan file for you?

Our Dentist License by Credentials service is $799 for Michigan. We place you in the right endorsement tier, request score certifications from your testing agency, draft the substantial-equivalence petition for your review if you need one, line up the implicit bias, human trafficking and opioid trainings, and give you a question-by-question guide to the MiPLUS application. You answer, sign, pay LARA and submit from your own account. A specialty license is a $499 add-on. State fees are separate. See the Michigan requirements page or begin with the $149 Dental Licensure Readiness Review.

Common questions

How long must I be licensed elsewhere to get a Michigan license by endorsement?

At least one year in good standing in another state. If you have been licensed less than five years, you also need passing ADEX scores or a successful petition showing your exam is substantially equivalent.

Does Michigan accept non-ADEX clinical exams?

Not for licensure by examination; the guide says non-ADEX exams are not accepted. For endorsement, dentists licensed five years or more in a state that required an exam submit those scores, and others can petition for a substantial-equivalence review.

What training does Michigan require before licensure?

At least 2 hours of implicit bias training within the five years before issuance, a one-time human trafficking training, and, for controlled substance licensees, opioids and controlled substances awareness training.

How long is a Michigan dental license valid?

LARA's Dentistry FAQ says licenses are issued for three years. Renewal opens about 90 days before expiration and is completed online.