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 Oregon
- Oregon counts clinical hours (3,500 in five years) rather than years of practice for licensure without further examination.
- The board fingerprints every dental and dental hygiene applicant for a state and nationwide criminal background check.
Can a dentist licensed elsewhere get a Oregon license by credentials?
The board may license a dentist licensed in another state without further examination after 3,500 hours of licensed clinical practice (or qualifying military, federal or dental school teaching hours) in the past five years, a passed clinical exam, 40 CE hours in the past two years and the board's jurisprudence exam.
- Licensure by credentials available
- Practice required: 3,500 hours of licensed clinical practice in the 5 years before applying
Citation: OAR 818-021-0011; ORS 679.060, 679.065
Which clinical exams does Oregon accept?
ADEX lists Oregon as accepting its dental exam. Out-of-state applicants without further examination must still have passed a dental clinical exam.
- ADEX accepted
Does Oregon require a jurisprudence exam?
Dentists and hygienists licensed without further examination pass the Oregon Board of Dentistry Jurisprudence Examination.
- Jurisprudence or law exam
Is Oregon in the dental compact?
Oregon is not a dental compact member.
- Not a compact member
Does Oregon require a sedation permit?
Oregon issues anesthesia permits for nitrous oxide, minimal sedation, moderate sedation, deep sedation and general anesthesia. A minimal sedation permit takes at least 16 hours of training and BLS; certain drugs may be used only under a general anesthesia permit.
- Separate sedation permit
Does Oregon issue specialty licenses?
The board certifies specialists who are diplomates or fellows of an ADA-recognized specialty board or graduates of a CODA-approved postgraduate program.
What hygienists need to know in Oregon
Hygienists licensed elsewhere qualify without further examination after 3,500 clinical hours in five years, 24 CE hours in two years and the jurisprudence exam. Hygienists can hold a nitrous oxide permit and an Expanded Practice Dental Hygiene Permit.
- Hygienist licensure by credentials
Do dental assistants need a Oregon registration?
The board certifies dental assistants, including radiologic proficiency, which lets an assistant expose radiographs under general supervision.
- Assistant or EFDA registration
Does Oregon require fingerprints?
- Fingerprint background check
Does Oregon offer a temporary or restricted dental license?
Temporary dental and dental hygiene licenses are available for spouses or domestic partners of active-duty armed forces members stationed in Oregon.
- Temporary or restricted license available
How often does a Oregon dental license renew?
Dentists renew by March 31 every other year. They complete 40 CE hours every two years, related to clinical care or dental public health.
- Renews every 2 years
- 40 CE hours per cycle
Licensing in Oregon?
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 (HB 2676 shown, not enacted)
- clinicalExam.adexAccepted
- credentials, exams (jurisprudence), clinicalExam
- hygienist.credentials, exams
- credentials.citation (ORS 679.060, 679.065), sedation (ORS 679.255 sedation standards)
- sedation (nitrous oxide permit for dentists and hygienists)
- sedation (minimal sedation permit, 16 hours)
- sedation (permit levels, general anesthesia permit drugs)
- hygienist (Expanded Practice Dental Hygiene Permit)
- assistants (radiologic proficiency certification)
- specialty (certification as a specialist), temporaryLicense (rule list: 818-021-0018 and 0019)
- fingerprints
- renewal.ceHours
- renewal (March 31, every other year)