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 Maryland
- Every CE course must be pre-approved by the Maryland board; unapproved courses earn no credit.
- Dentists who never passed ADEX must still pass ADEX's written diagnosis and treatment planning exam to move to Maryland.
- Expanded function dental assistant rules took effect August 31, 2026.
Can a dentist licensed elsewhere get a Maryland license by credentials?
A dentist licensed in another state who passed ADEX (ADLEX) with 75 or better in each section is licensed after the Maryland jurisprudence exam and a clean record check. Without ADEX, the dentist needs five years averaging 850 practice hours, a prior clinical exam, and the ADEX written diagnosis and treatment planning exam.
- Licensure by credentials available
- Practice required: None for ADEX passers; otherwise 5 years averaging at least 850 practice hours a year
Citation: COMAR 10.44.05.02 to .04; Md. Code, Health Occ. § 4-306
Which clinical exams does Maryland accept?
Maryland builds licensure around ADEX: in a 2025 statement the board said any compact should keep its standard of a CODA degree plus the ADEX hand-skills exam.
- ADEX accepted
Does Maryland require a jurisprudence exam?
Applicants pass the Maryland Dental Jurisprudence Examination, given by the board or its designee, with at least 75 on each section; hygienists take a hygiene version.
- Jurisprudence or law exam
Is Maryland in the dental compact?
Maryland is not a dental compact member.
- Not a compact member
Does Maryland require a sedation permit?
Class I permits cover nonparenteral moderate sedation, Class II parenteral moderate sedation, and Class III deep sedation and general anesthesia, with administration and facility evaluations. Separate certificates let a physician, another dentist or a CRNA sedate at a specific practice location.
- Separate sedation permit
Does Maryland issue specialty licenses?
Maryland has no separate specialty license; the board identifies a dentist as a specialist after a board-approved specialty training program.
- No specialty license
What hygienists need to know in Maryland
Hygienists licensed elsewhere qualify on ADEX hygiene results, or without ADEX after three years averaging 150 practice hours plus the ADEX written diagnosis and treatment planning exam. Both routes include the Maryland hygiene jurisprudence exam.
- Hygienist licensure by credentials
Do dental assistants need a Maryland registration?
The board recognizes dental assistants as Qualified in General Duties or in Orthodontics, licenses dental radiation technologists, and began expanded function dental assistant (EFDA) regulation on August 31, 2026.
- Assistant or EFDA registration
Does Maryland offer a temporary or restricted dental license?
Maryland offers temporary licenses for volunteer dentists and hygienists, temporary dental clinic permits, volunteer and retired volunteer licenses, and teacher's licenses.
- Temporary or restricted license available
How often does a Maryland dental license renew?
General licenses expire June 30 of the second year after issue. Renewal requires 30 hours of board-approved CE, at least 13 in person or by live webinar, plus current CPR.
- Renews every 2 years
- 30 CE hours per cycle
Licensing in Maryland?
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.