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 Texas
- The Texas credentials application fee is $2,945, against $360 for licensure by examination.
- Every applicant, by any route, completes a fingerprint session with the state's vendor before a license issues.
Can a dentist licensed elsewhere get a Texas license by credentials?
Licensure by credentials requires a CODA-accredited DDS or DMD and a current license that followed a general dentistry live patient or hands-on simulation clinical exam given by another state or regional board. Add board endorsement under seal, national boards, 12 CE hours in the past 12 months and a clinical practice affidavit completed by someone other than the applicant.
- Licensure by credentials available
- Practice required: 3 of the last 5 years (or 5 years as a dental educator)
Citation: 22 Tex. Admin. Code 101.3
Which clinical exams does Texas accept?
ADEX lists Texas as accepting its dental exam for initial licensure. For credentials, the original license must rest on a live patient or hands-on simulation exam, so a license earned through a residency or an OSCE-only route may not qualify.
- ADEX accepted
Does Texas require a jurisprudence exam?
Applicants pass the Texas Jurisprudence Assessment within one year before applying and complete an HHS-approved human trafficking prevention course. Sedation permit applicants take the jurisprudence version that covers the sedation rules.
- Jurisprudence or law exam
Is Texas in the dental compact?
Texas is not a dental compact member.
- Not a compact member
Does Texas require a sedation permit?
Texas issues separate permits for nitrous oxide and four sedation levels: Level 1, Level 2 moderate enteral, Level 3 moderate parenteral and Level 4 deep sedation/general anesthesia. Levels 2 to 4 cost $260 each and the board may restrict a permit after reviewing facilities, equipment and staff.
- Separate sedation permit
What hygienists need to know in Texas
Hygienists qualify by credentials with 3 of the last 5 years of practice ($642). Local infiltration anesthesia is a separate $32 hygienist permit.
- Hygienist licensure by credentials
- Local anesthesia permit for hygienists
Do dental assistants need a Texas registration?
Texas registers dental assistants (RDA). Applicants complete a board-approved registration course and exam, the jurisprudence assessment and BLS.
- Assistant or EFDA registration
Does Texas require fingerprints?
- Fingerprint background check
Does Texas offer a temporary or restricted dental license?
A temporary license by credentials ($895) lets a dentist who meets every credentials requirement work only as an employee of the named nonprofit. Faculty and provisional licenses also exist.
- Temporary or restricted license available
Licensing in Texas?
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 1803 shown, not enacted)
- clinicalExam.adexAccepted
- credentials, clinicalExam (live patient or hands-on simulation)
- credentials (3 of 5 years, 12 CE hours, affidavit), exams (jurisprudence within one year, human trafficking course), fingerprints, notes (fees)
- hygienist.credentials, temporaryLicense (nonprofit employee)
- sedation (Levels 2 to 4, board may restrict permit)
- sedation (nitrous and Level 1 to 4 permit fees), hygienist (local infiltration anesthesia fee, credentials fee), temporaryLicense (fee, faculty and provisional licenses), notes
- assistants (RDA registration course and exam, jurisprudence, BLS)