Verified October 9, 2026 against the practice act, board rules and sources cited below. The board decides every application. All states
What dentists miss in California
- Hygienists answer to a different board than dentists, the Dental Hygiene Board of California.
- Out-of-state hygienists may need California-only courses in curettage, local anesthesia and nitrous oxide unless a $500 equivalency review approves their training.
- A license or permit is not issued until California DOJ and FBI fingerprint clearance arrives; fingerprints sent before a paid application are not accepted.
Can a dentist licensed elsewhere get a California license by credentials?
A dentist with an unrestricted license from another state can be licensed without a board exam after 5,000 hours of clinical practice, or faculty plus clinical work, in five of the last seven years. An accredited residency can count for two of the five years. Applicants also submit 50 units of patient-care continuing education from the last two years.
- Licensure by credentials available
- Practice required: At least 5,000 hours of clinical practice in 5 of the 7 consecutive years before applying
Citation: Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 1635.5; 16 CCR § 1016
Which clinical exams does California accept?
The board licenses on a passed WREB or ADEX exam, or on completion of a 12-month CODA-accredited general practice residency or advanced education in general dentistry program, the residency route created under SB 683 in 2008.
- ADEX accepted
Does California require a jurisprudence exam?
Dentist applicants pass the California Dental Law and Ethics Examination. Hygienists pass the California Law and Ethics exam after the Dental Hygiene Board approves the application.
- Jurisprudence or law exam
Is California in the dental compact?
California is not a dental compact member.
- Not a compact member
Does California require a sedation permit?
California issues separate General Anesthesia, Moderate Sedation, Pediatric Minimal Sedation and adult Oral Conscious Sedation permits. Since 2022, GA permit holders need a Pediatric Endorsement to treat patients under seven, and moderate sedation for patients under 13 also requires an endorsement.
- Separate sedation permit
Does California issue specialty licenses?
Oral and maxillofacial surgery and elective facial cosmetic surgery each require a separate board permit. Faculty at a California dental school can practice their specialty under a special permit.
- Specialty license or permit
What hygienists need to know in California
A separate board, the Dental Hygiene Board of California, licenses hygienists by credential with a $200 fee, 25 hours of CE and Live Scan prints. Out-of-state graduates must show California-standard training in soft-tissue curettage, local anesthesia and nitrous oxide; an equivalency review of that training costs $500.
- Hygienist licensure by credentials
- Local anesthesia permit for hygienists
Do dental assistants need a California registration?
California licenses Registered Dental Assistants and RDAs in Extended Functions, and issues dental sedation assistant and orthodontic assistant permits. The RDA requires a qualifying pathway, required courses, fingerprints and a combined written and law and ethics exam.
- Assistant or EFDA registration
Does California require fingerprints?
- Fingerprint background check
Does California offer a temporary or restricted dental license?
Since July 2023, spouses or domestic partners of active-duty service members stationed in California can get a temporary license for up to 12 months; dentists still pass the Law and Ethics exam and are fingerprinted.
- Temporary or restricted license available
How often does a California dental license renew?
Licenses expire on the last day of the birth month every two years and renew online only. Mandatory CE includes infection control, the California Dental Practice Act, in-person BLS and a course on prescribing Schedule II opioids; no CE is due at the first renewal.
- Renews every 2 years
Licensing in California?
For a license, we prepare every supporting document and a question-by-question guide, request your verifications, and track it to a decision; you complete, sign and submit the application. License by credentials is $799 per state.