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 Pennsylvania
- Criteria approval depends on the other state confirming reciprocity with Pennsylvania, so the Act 41 endorsement route is the usual fallback.
- Pennsylvania has a Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact bill pending (SB 81), not enacted.
Can a dentist licensed elsewhere get a Pennsylvania license by credentials?
Pennsylvania has two routes. Criteria approval is granted only when the applicant's licensing board confirms it reciprocates with Pennsylvania. Act 41 endorsement covers dentists licensed in a substantially equivalent jurisdiction who are active, in good standing, free of discipline and criminal convictions, and have practiced at least 2 of the last 5 years.
- Licensure by credentials available
- Practice required: 2 of the last 5 years (Act 41 endorsement)
Citation: 49 Pa. Code 33.107, 33.107a; 63 Pa.C.S. 3111
Which clinical exams does Pennsylvania accept?
Pennsylvania accepts the National Board plus a clinical exam from ADEX, CDCA, CRDTS, CITA, SRTA or WREB.
- ADEX accepted
Does Pennsylvania require a jurisprudence exam?
Initial licensure requires 3 hours of board-approved child abuse recognition and reporting education. The board's licensure snapshot lists no state law exam.
Is Pennsylvania in the dental compact?
A dental compact bill is pending in Pennsylvania, but it is not a member.
- Compact bill pending
Does Pennsylvania require a sedation permit?
Pennsylvania issues an unrestricted permit (general anesthesia, deep and conscious sedation), restricted permit I (conscious sedation) and restricted permit II (nitrous oxide). Unrestricted and restricted I permits need an office inspection and clinical evaluation at first and every six years.
- Separate sedation permit
What hygienists need to know in Pennsylvania
Hygienists use the same criteria approval and Act 41 endorsement routes. Giving local infiltration or second and third division block anesthesia requires a board local anesthesia permit and current BLS.
- Hygienist licensure by credentials
- Local anesthesia permit for hygienists
Do dental assistants need a Pennsylvania registration?
Pennsylvania certifies expanded function dental assistants (EFDAs), who can also transfer in by criteria approval or endorsement. Staff taking radiographs must meet the board's radiologic procedure exam requirement.
- Assistant or EFDA registration
Does Pennsylvania offer a temporary or restricted dental license?
A volunteer license under the Volunteer Health Services Act serves qualified retired dentists in approved clinics. Temporary sedation permits last up to one year.
- Temporary or restricted license available
How often does a Pennsylvania dental license renew?
Licenses renew every two years (April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2027 cycle, $366). Dentists complete 30 CE hours including 2 hours of child abuse reporting, hygienists 20 and EFDAs 10.
- Renews every 2 years
- 30 CE hours per cycle
Licensing in Pennsylvania?
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 81 pending)
- compact (bill link on the CSG map)
- clinicalExam.adexAccepted
- credentials (criteria approval, Act 41 two of five years), clinicalExam (accepted agencies), exams (child abuse CE), renewal (30 hours, fee and cycle)
- credentials (33.107, 33.107a), sedation (33.333, 33.336a, 33.337a), hygienist (33.115 local anesthesia permit), assistants (33.205a, 33.302), temporaryLicense (33.110, 33.337a), renewal.ceHours (33.401)