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 Florida
- MOBILE endorsement under Fla. Stat. § 456.0145 is separate from the board's no-credentials rule: it requires an active license elsewhere, a national exam, two of the last four years in practice, no NPDB report and no discipline in five years.
- Older ADEX results trigger proof of five straight years of full-time practice backed by tax returns.
- Since a 2024 law, every applicant submits electronic fingerprints through a Livescan provider.
Can a dentist licensed elsewhere get a Florida license by credentials?
The board states that Florida "does not have reciprocity with any state and does not issue licenses by endorsement or credentials." Dentists qualify by exam: National Boards, the Florida Laws and Rules exam and ADEX. The separate MOBILE endorsement statute and a health access license are narrow exceptions.
- No credentials route: full application
Citation: Fla. Stat. § 466.006; Florida Board of Dentistry licensing page
Which clinical exams does Florida accept?
ADEX is the required clinical exam. Scores from ADEX taken outside Florida count only if taken on or after October 2, 2011, and if taken more than 365 days before applying, the dentist must prove five consecutive years of full-time practice, at least 1,200 hours a year, with tax returns.
- ADEX accepted
Does Florida require a jurisprudence exam?
Every dentist applicant passes the Florida Laws and Rules Examination.
- Jurisprudence or law exam
Is Florida in the dental compact?
Florida is not a dental compact member.
- Not a compact member
Does Florida require a sedation permit?
Board rules set permits for general anesthesia or deep sedation, moderate sedation and pediatric moderate sedation, with training requirements, facility inspections, a demonstration of sedation technique and permit-specific continuing education.
- Separate sedation permit
What hygienists need to know in Florida
Hygienists may give local anesthesia to nonsedated adults under direct supervision only with a board certificate, which requires a course of 30 didactic and 30 clinical hours. The MOBILE endorsement pathway is open to hygienists who practiced two of the last four years.
- Local anesthesia permit for hygienists
Do dental assistants need a Florida registration?
Board rules list the tasks a dentist may delegate to assistants, require training for some of them and set training and experience requirements for expanded restorative functions; the rule chapter creates no assistant registration.
- No assistant registration
Does Florida require fingerprints?
- Fingerprint background check
Does Florida offer a temporary or restricted dental license?
The board offers dental temporary certificates, limited licenses for compensated or volunteer work, and a health access license that lets out-of-state dentists practice in designated health access settings.
- Temporary or restricted license available
How often does a Florida dental license renew?
Licenses renew every two years. Dentists complete at least 30 hours of continuing education per biennium, including two hours on safe prescribing of controlled substances.
- Renews every 2 years
- 30 CE hours per cycle
Licensing in Florida?
Florida has no exam-free credentials route, so a dentist licensed elsewhere goes through the full application. 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.