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 North Dakota
- Every North Dakota license expires on the same date, December 31 of odd-numbered years, whenever it was issued.
- Applications are verified under oath and must include a recent signed photograph.
Can a dentist licensed elsewhere get a North Dakota license by credentials?
Licensure by credential review requires five years of licensed, active practice in a state with substantially equivalent requirements, good-standing certificates from every state where the dentist practices or holds a license, a written North Dakota law exam, a clinical exam with a hand skills assessment, CPR within two years and 32 CE hours within two years.
- Licensure by credentials available
- Practice required: 5 years immediately before applying
Citation: N.D.C.C. 43-28-15; N.D. Admin. Code 20-02-01-03.2
Which clinical exams does North Dakota accept?
ADEX lists North Dakota as accepting its dental exam. Credential review applicants must have completed a clinical exam that included a hand skills assessment.
- ADEX accepted
Does North Dakota require a jurisprudence exam?
Credential review applicants pass a written exam on North Dakota dental laws and rules, administered by the board.
- Jurisprudence or law exam
Is North Dakota in the dental compact?
North Dakota is not a dental compact member.
- Not a compact member
Does North Dakota require a sedation permit?
A dentist needs a board permit, renewed every two years, to give moderate sedation, deep sedation or general anesthesia, meaning anything beyond minimal sedation.
- Separate sedation permit
What hygienists need to know in North Dakota
Hygienists qualify by credential review after three years of licensed practice in an equivalent state. Giving block or infiltration anesthesia takes a board permit and CODA-level education, under a dentist's supervision.
- Hygienist licensure by credentials
- Local anesthesia permit for hygienists
Do dental assistants need a North Dakota registration?
North Dakota registers registered dental assistants, qualified dental assistants, dental anesthesia assistants and limited radiology registrants. No one may work as a registered or qualified dental assistant without board registration.
- Assistant or EFDA registration
Does North Dakota offer a temporary or restricted dental license?
The board may grant a nonrenewable temporary license for up to one year, with a background check for stays longer than ten days. A volunteer license also exists.
- Temporary or restricted license available
How often does a North Dakota dental license renew?
Licenses expire December 31 of every odd-numbered year. Dentists complete 32 CE hours per two-year cycle, no more than 16 by self-study.
- Renews every 2 years
- 32 CE hours per cycle
Licensing in North Dakota?
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 (North Dakota not listed)
- clinicalExam.adexAccepted
- credentials (43-28-15), exams (written law exam), renewal (43-28-16.2), notes (43-28-11 oath and photograph)
- credentials (20-02-01-03.2), clinicalExam (hand skills), sedation (20-02-01-05), temporaryLicense (20-02-01-04, 04.2), renewal.ceHours (20-02-01-06)
- hygienist (43-20-01.3 credential review, 43-20-12.3 local anesthetic, local anesthetic permit), assistants (43-20-08, 43-20-13.2)
- hygienist.localAnesthesiaPermit (board-authorized permit)