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 Maine
- Maine's jurisprudence exam requires a 90 percent score, higher than most states.
- Maine will license dentists from foreign jurisdictions that license dental professions by endorsement.
- Sedation permits are tied to a specific site and cannot be transferred.
Can a dentist licensed elsewhere get a Maine license by credentials?
The board may waive exams for an applicant licensed in good standing in another state, territory or foreign jurisdiction who held a substantially equivalent license for the three consecutive years before applying. Licensees short of three years can still qualify by showing substantially similar qualifications. Applicants pass the jurisprudence exam and a fingerprint background check.
- Licensure by credentials available
- Practice required: 3 consecutive years holding a substantially equivalent license (other licensees may qualify on substantially similar qualifications)
Citation: 32 M.R.S. § 18347
Which clinical exams does Maine accept?
ADEX lists Maine as accepting its dental exam for initial licensure.
- ADEX accepted
Does Maine require a jurisprudence exam?
Every applicant passes an open-book written jurisprudence exam on the board's statutes and rules with a score of 90 percent; it is printed, completed and uploaded with the application, and three failures can lead to preliminary denial.
- Jurisprudence or law exam
Is Maine in the dental compact?
Maine has enacted the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact (2024), but no state issues compact privileges yet. Practicing here takes a Maine license.
- Compact enacted, not issuing
Does Maine require a sedation permit?
Maine issues site-specific, nontransferable permits, including Moderate Sedation Level I (enteral) and Level II (parenteral), under Chapter 14 of the board rules. Applicants document training, life support certification and equipment and personnel standards, and permits renew with the dentist license.
- Separate sedation permit
What hygienists need to know in Maine
Hygienists qualify by endorsement on the same terms. A hygienist may give local anesthesia under general supervision, and nitrous oxide under direct supervision, only with the separate authority for each granted under the licensing statute.
- Hygienist licensure by credentials
- Local anesthesia permit for hygienists
Do dental assistants need a Maine registration?
Maine does not license general dental assistants, but it does license dental radiographers, who pass a radiologic technique and safety exam, and expanded function dental assistants, who need a CDA or hygiene license plus board-required training and exams.
- Assistant or EFDA registration
Does Maine require fingerprints?
- Fingerprint background check
Does Maine offer a temporary or restricted dental license?
The board may issue a six-month temporary license, waiving all other requirements, to anyone licensed in that profession in another state; the fee can be waived for free care with a charitable nonprofit.
- Temporary or restricted license available
How often does a Maine dental license renew?
Dentist licenses run through December 31 of odd-numbered years. Renewal requires current BLS and continuing education under Chapter 13 of the board rules; licenses can be renewed late for up to 90 days.
- Renews every 2 years
Licensing in Maine?
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.