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Dental Assistant
Licensure by Exam Requirements
Graduated after September 2004 from a Minnesota dental assisting program that is (1) accredited by the American Dental Associations Commission on Accreditation and (2) approved by the Minnesota Board of Dentistry.
Passed, within 5 years prior to application for licensure, the Minnesota Jurisprudence Examination covering the statutes and rules of the Minnesota Board of Dentistry.
Passed, within 5 years prior to application for licensure, the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) Certification Exam.
Licensure by Credentials Requirements
• Must be a graduate of a dental assisting program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation or be certified by the Dental Assisting National Board.
• Must be currently, or have been, practicing dental assisting in another U.S. jurisdiction or Canada, and have a license in good standing.
• Have passed the Dental Assisting National Board’s Certification Exams.
• Complete Board evaluation of initial DA training, and comply with one of the following;
- Have provided satisfactory evidence of initial DA training program having included all expanded functions included in our MN. DA scope of practice, or have provided satisfactory evidence of work experience assuming (1 year minimum) expanded functions duties included in our MN DA scope of practice.
- If you have missing/deficient coursework identified by the Board, complete coursework through a CODA accredited MN DA program.
- If applicant has performed to competency (post-graduation) any coursework not included in initial program, may be interviewed by the Board to determine if work experience is accepted in lieu of completing additional training.
Upon completion of either 1, 2, or 3, the Board will authorize the DA to apply:
• Provide evidence of hours of work experience.
• Have passed Minnesota Jurisprudence exam (within previous 5 years from date of application).
• Show evidence of current CPR
• Clear a state specific criminal background check.
To initiate the Board evaluation cited above, please have your school of graduation send an e-transcript to our Board’s general email or mail an official copy to our Board office. Once you have confirmation from your school that your proof of education has been delivered to our Board, send an email to; dental.board@state.mn.us, and provide us your name, contact information and confirm you are an out of state DA who is seeking the “license by Credentials” application process.
Note: This application type cannot initiate a pre-application, instead you must submit payment (check/money order) with your mailed application to Board office.
If you haven't met the criteria above, please contact:
Brian J. Cochran, Assistant Director (Licensing and Credentialing)
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Dental Hygienist
The following exams will be accepted for dental hygiene applicants:
• Traditional clinical dental hygiene exam including the CDCA-WREB/CITA ADEX exam, the WREB exam, or the CRDTS exam
OR
• CDCA-WREB or CITA ADEX Exam (all manikin & OSCE)
OR
• WREB all manikin & OSCE
OR
• CRDTS all manikin and simulated patient oral assessment
Licensure by Exam Requirements
Graduate from a dental hygiene school accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation.
Pass, within 5 years prior to application for licensure, the National Board Examination.
Pass, within 5 years prior to application for licensure, a clinical exam administered by:
Central Regional Dental Testing Service (CRDTS),
American Board of Dental Examiners (ADEX - after 5/1/17), or
Western Regional Examining Board (WREB).
Pass, within 5 years prior to application for licensure, the Minnesota Jurisprudence Examination covering the statutes and rules of the Minnesota Board of Dentistry.
Undergo a criminal background check.
You must meet all of the above requirements to be eligible to apply for licensure by exam in Minnesota.
Licensure by Credential Requirements
If you do not meet the requirements listed above, you may be eligible for licensure by credentials if you:
Graduate from a dental hygiene school that is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation
Is or has been licensed in another state or Canadian province.
Have passed a clinical exam for licensure in another state or Canadian province, passed a National Board Exam and
Have been in active practice for 2000 hours of the previous 36 months in another state, Canadian Province, or U.S. government service OR passed a Board-approved re-entry program within 36 months of the application date.
Undergo a criminal background check.
Licensure for Resident Provider Requirements
Will need to include a letter from your program director indicating which program you are enrolled in and the dates of the program (the letter of acceptance you received from the program is sufficient).
Must be a graduate of an undergraduate program.
Must undergo a criminal background check.
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Dentist
The following exams will be accepted for dental applicants:
• Traditional Clinical Dental Exam: CDCA-WREB (ADEX Exam)/WREB/CRDTS/CITA
OR
• CDCA-WREB (ADEX Exam) CompeDont, in lieu of the traditional CDCA (ADEX Exam) patient-based restorative. This still includes Endodontic Manikin and Prosthodontic Manikin components, and CDCA Dental OSCE
OR
• WREB manikin & CTP (this is the WREB computer treatment plan section).
Licensure by Exam Requirements (Minnesota requires applicants to pass all components of the above mentioned exams).
• Per MN. Statute 150A.06, subd. 3b, a qualifying dentist applying for an “initial license by exam”, can submit a written request for a clinical waiver, based on successful completion of a U.S. CODA accredited AEGD/GPR. Applicants need to submit their request in writing along with their other application documents, and include a notarized/certified copy of their certificate of completion OR their school of graduation could send the confirmation of completion directly to the Board, either through our Board general e-mail or U.S. mail.
Graduate from a dental school that is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation.
Pass the Minnesota Jurisprudence Examination covering the statutes and rules of the Minnesota Board of Dentistry within 5 years prior to application for licensure.
Pass the American National Dental Board Examination, parts I and II within 5 years prior to application for licensure,
Pass within 5 years prior to application the following clinical exams:
- Central Regional Dental Testing Service (CRDTS)
- Western Regional Examining Board (WREB) – MN. requires both Anterior & Posterior operative restorations for this exam
- Commission on Dental Competency Assessments CDCA (Adex Exam)
- Council on Interstate Testing Agency (CITA)
( Minnesota requires applicant to pass ALL components of the above mentioned exams, including post posterior and anterior operative, except for periodontal component.)
Per MN. Statute 150A.06, subdivision 3b, a qualifying dentist applying for an “initial license by exam”, can submit a written request for a clinical waiver, based on successful completion of a U.S. CODA accredited AEGD/GPR. Applicants need to submit their request in writing along with their other application documents, and include a notarized/certified copy of their certificate of completion OR their school of graduation could send the confirmation of completion directly to the Board, either through our Board general e-mail or U.S. mail.
Undergo a criminal background check
You must meet all of the above requirements to be eligible to apply for licensure by exam in Minnesota.
The Board will be continuing to visit the discussion regarding acceptance of other non-patient based exams, so please feel free to continue to check back for further updates. The Board no longer requires the periodontal component of examinations for dental candidates.
Licensure by Credentials Requirements
Graduate from a dental school that is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation.
Pass the Minnesota Jurisprudence Examination covering the statutes and rules of the Minnesota Board of Dentistry within 5 years prior to application for licensure.
Is or has been licensed in another state or Canadian province.
Have successfully completed a clinical exam for licensure in another state, and
Have been in active practice for 2000 hours of the previous 36 months in another state, Canadian Province, or U.S. government service.
Undergo a criminal background check
Internationally Educated Dentist
If you are an international applicant, click here to view requirements. If you have questions after viewing the requirements, contact the Board office for more information.
UPDATE: The Minnesota Board of Dentistry has chosen Foreign Credentials Service of America to conduct our educational evaluations for internationally educated dentists. Click the link above to learn more.
Specialty Dentist Requirements
A specialty dentist holding a general dentist license is limited to practicing in the dentist's designated specialty area if the dentist has announced a limitation of practice. The scope of practice must be defined by each national specialty board recognized by the American Dental Association or approved by the Minnesota Board of Dentistry. The specialty dentist must:
Have successfully completed a postdoctoral specialty education program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, or have announced a limitation of practice before 1967;
Have been certified by a specialty examining board approved by the Minnesota Board of Dentistry, or provide evidence of having passed a clinical examination for licensure required for practice in any state or Canadian province, or in the case of oral and maxillofacial surgeons only, have a Minnesota medical license in good standing;
Have been in active practice or a postdoctoral specialty education program or United States government service at least 2,000 hours in the 36 months prior to applying for a specialty license;
At Board discretion, pass a board-approved English proficiency test if English is not the applicant's primary language;
Pass all components of the National Dental Board examinations;
Pass the Minnesota Jurisprudence Examination
Undergo a criminal background check
Abide by professional ethical conduct requirements; and
Meet all other requirements prescribed by the Board of Dentistry.
Resident Requirements
Be an enrolled graduate student or student of an accredited advanced dental education program who is not licensed to practice dentistry in Minnesota.
Undergo a criminal background check.
Full Faculty Requirements
(With a full faculty dentist license you may practice privately.)
Submit a letter from the Dean or Program Director of an accredited Minnesota dental, dental hygiene or dental assisting program, indicating that you hold at least a 50% appointment for the purposes of teaching and research only.
Pass the Minnesota Jurisprudence Examination covering the statutes and rules of the Minnesota Board of Dentistry within 5 years prior to application for licensure.
Undergo a criminal background check
Limited Faculty Requirements
(With a limited faculty dentist license you will not be allowed to have an intramural or private practice.)
Submit a letter from the Dean or Program Director of an accredited Minnesota dental, dental hygiene or dental assisting program, stating that the applicant is a member of the faculty and practices dentistry within the school or its affiliated teaching facilities.
Pass the Minnesota Jurisprudence Examination covering the statutes and rules of the Minnesota Board of Dentistry within 5 years prior to application for licensure.
Undergo a criminal background check
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Dental Therapist/Advanced Dental Therapist
The following exams will be accepted for dental therapy applicants:
• CDCA DT-OSCE Examination
AND
• Traditional Clinical CDCA DT Examination
OR
CDCA CompeDont component, in lieu of patient based restorative; Endodontic (pulpotomy) and Prosthodontic (SS crowns) Manikin components
Scope of Practice
Collaborative Management Agreements
Click here to register, edit, or dissolve your CMA
The forms below may be used for your own record keeping:
Advanced Dental Therapy Certification
Recordkeeping Forms:
Click here for information on the dental therapy examination.
Application Forms
UPDATES
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Guest and Volunteer License
Guest License
Guest Licensure Requirements
Be currently licensed or registered in good standing in another United States jurisdiction and provide an original affidavit of licensure from each state dental board or regulatory agency
Be currently engaged in the practice of that person's respective profession in another United States jurisdiction
Agree to treat indigent patients who meet the eligibility criteria
Submit a letter from the clinic that:
includes a statement, program description or other indication that the clinic provides dental care to patients who have difficulty accessing dental care; and
Provide a copy of the IRS letter that indicates that the clinic has been established by a nonprofit organization that is tax exempt under chapter 501(c)(3)
Complete a Guest License application
Undergo a criminal background check
Note:
This type of license must be renewed annually every December 31st.
The holder of this type of license shall be subject to Minnesota laws and rules regarding dentistry and the regulatory authority of the board.
To print an application click the link below:
Volunteer Licensure Process
Requirements for Volunteer licensure
Be currently licensed in good standing in another United States jurisdiction and provide original affidavits from each state dental board or regulatory agency
Be currently engaged in the practice of that person's respective profession in another United States jurisdiction
Provide dental care to patients on a totally voluntary basis without compensation
Serve a patient population that has difficulty accessing dental care
Submit a letter from the clinic/sponsoring organization that:
includes a statement, program description or other indication that the clinic/organization provides dental care to patients who have difficulty accessing dental care; (and)
Provides a copy of the IRS letter that indicates that the clinic/organization has been established by a nonprofit organization that is tax exempt under chapter 501(c)(3)
Complete a Volunteer Guest licensure application
Note:
This license expires annually every December 31st.
Volunteer services shall be limited to providing dental care services for a period of time not to exceed ten days in a calendar year.
The holder of this type of license is subject to Minnesota's laws and rules regarding dentistry and the regulatory authority of the Board.
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Emeritus
EMERITUS STATUS - INACTIVE or ACTIVE
Any licensed dentist, dental therapist, dental hygienist, or dental assistant is eligible for the following status.
Please note that once your application has been processed, there is no pathway in Rule for reinstatement of your full license.
Emeritus Inactive Requirements
Applicant must retire from active practice in the state.
Applicant must be in compliance with board requirements and cannot be the subject of current disciplinary action resulting in suspension, revocation, disqualification, condition, or restriction of their license.
An emeritus inactive license is not a license to practice, but is a formal recognition of completion of a person's dental career in good standing.
This license status is issued once and is neither renewable nor reversible.
Emeritus Active Requirements
Applicant must be in compliance with Board requirements and cannot be the subject of current disciplinary action resulting in suspension, revocation, disqualification, condition, or restriction of their license.
An emeritus active licensee may engage only in the following types of practice:
• pro bono or volunteer dental practice,
• paid practice not to exceed 500 hours per calendar year for the exclusive purpose of providing licensing supervision to meet the Board's requirements,
• or paid consulting services not to exceed 500 hours per calendar year.
An emeritus active licensee is not eligible to reinstate a full license.
The Emeritus active license must be renewed every two years (the renewal fee is half the price of renewing a full license)
CE is required (CE requirements are half the CE requirements of a full license plus courses in 2 CORE subjects and Infection Control).
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Limited Radiology Registration
Requirements
- Board Approved Course in Dental Radiology
- Passed, within 5 years prior to application for licensure, the Minnesota Jurisprudence Examination covering the statutes and rules of the Minnesota Board of Dentistry.
- Passed, within 5 years prior to application for licensure, the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) Exam.
Current Board Approved Courses:
Note: If you have completed a CODA-accredited radiology course other than those cited above, please contact:
Brian J. Cochran, Assistant Director (Licensing and Credentialing)
brian.j.cochran@state.mn.us
You will need to complete the entire application packet below and mail in with payment before receiving criminal background check instructions.
Limited Radiology Registration Application Packet