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 New Hampshire
- New Hampshire dentists and hygienists renew in alternating years: dentists in even years, hygienists in odd years.
- A hygienist administering local anesthesia must display board-approved proof of that qualification at the practice.
Can a dentist licensed elsewhere get a New Hampshire license by credentials?
The board may grant a license by endorsement to a dentist or hygienist holding a current, unrestricted license who spent the three years before applying in clinical practice, specialty training, active military service as a dentist, or a combination of these.
- Licensure by credentials available
- Practice required: 3 years immediately before applying
Citation: RSA 317-A:7-a
Which clinical exams does New Hampshire accept?
ADEX lists New Hampshire as accepting its dental exam. By statute, applicants are examined by the board or pass a national or regional test it accepts.
- ADEX accepted
Does New Hampshire require a jurisprudence exam?
Every applicant for a first dentist or hygienist license takes the New Hampshire jurisprudence exam, covering the dental practice act, the board's rules and the ADA code of ethics. Reinstating to active status means retaking it.
- Jurisprudence or law exam
Is New Hampshire in the dental compact?
New Hampshire is not a dental compact member.
- Not a compact member
Does New Hampshire require a sedation permit?
New Hampshire issues general anesthesia, deep sedation and moderate sedation permits and a moderate-sedation-only permit, with permit applications and office evaluations under Den 304.
- Separate sedation permit
What hygienists need to know in New Hampshire
Hygienists use the same three-year endorsement statute. Local anesthesia takes a board permit after a CODA-accredited course of at least 20 didactic and 12 clinical hours and the CDCA local anesthesia exam. Hygienists qualified elsewhere can be endorsed with equivalent training and recent experience.
- Hygienist licensure by credentials
- Local anesthesia permit for hygienists
Do dental assistants need a New Hampshire registration?
New Hampshire does not register dental assistants. An assistant becomes qualified in a specific duty by completing a course or challenge exam and keeps the records. EFDA status for direct restorations requires a CODA-accredited course.
- No assistant registration
Does New Hampshire require fingerprints?
- Fingerprint background check
Does New Hampshire offer a temporary or restricted dental license?
Temporary dentist and hygienist licenses are granted case by case for professional education programs and for volunteer care.
- Temporary or restricted license available
How often does a New Hampshire dental license renew?
Dentists renew before April 1 of even-numbered years and hygienists in odd-numbered years. Dentists need 40 CE units per biennium and hygienists 20.
- Renews every 2 years
- 40 CE hours per cycle
Licensing in New Hampshire?
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.
Sources
- compact (SB 187 not enacted)
- clinicalExam.adexAccepted
- credentials (317-A:7-a), clinicalExam (317-A:9), fingerprints (317-A:8-a), renewal (317-A:13)
- exams (Den 303.03, Den 301.08 reinstatement), sedation (Den 304 permits and evaluations), hygienist (Den 302.05 local anesthesia permit), assistants (Den 302.06, 302.07), temporaryLicense (Den 301.03, 301.05), renewal.ceHours (40 and 20 CEUs per biennium)