Welcome to the Dental Board of California

How to Become Licensed in California

A California dental license may be obtained by successfully completing one of the following:

1. Examination - The Board offers two examinations for licensure, depending on an applicants qualifications.

  • The Restorative Technique examination is for all persons who have been issued a degree of doctor of dental medicine or doctor of dental surgery by a foreign dental school not approved by the Board or accredited by a body that has a reciprocal accreditation agreement with a commission or accreditation organization, and passed the National Board of Dental Examinations Part I and Part II by December 31, 2003. Successful Restorative Technique candates may take either the California clinical examination or the Western Regional Examining Board (WREB) examination.
  • The Clinical examination is for all persons who successfully completed the Restorative Technique examination (above) or graduates of schools accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation. This examination has written and clinical components. To order an application, send a request by FAX to 916-263-2140. Include your name, address, and telephone contact number.

2. Application to the Dental Board of California for licensure after successful completion of the WREB examination. Please visit the Dental Board's web page for licensure based on the WREB examination for more information.

3. Application for Licensure by Credential – for dentists with a clear and valid dental license in another state. Please visit our Licensure by Credential web pages for qualifications.

4. Application for Licensure by Residency - On February 1, 2008 the Office of Administrative Law approved the Board’s Emergency regulations implementing SB 683, qualification for dental licensure on the basis of completion of a minimum of 12 months of a general practice residency or advanced education in general dentistry program approved by the ADA’s Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). Please visit our Licensure by Residency web page for more information.

Special Permits

Furthermore, a person to whom a special permit is issued shall be entitled to practice in their recognized specialty or discipline at the dental college at which he or she is employed and its affiliated institutions as approved by the board. Please visit our special permit web page for more information.