Welcome to the Dental Board of California

Dental License Applicants

Licensure by Residency

Effective February 1, 2008 individuals may qualify 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) and meeting the following requirements:

Requirements include a completed application and application fee of $100.00 with completed Residency 1(07/08) form and proof of:

  • Graduation from a Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) of the ADA approved dental school or board approved dental school,
  • Completion of a CODA-approved general practice residency OR advanced education in general dentistry program as certified by the program director on the Certification of Clinical Residency Completion form (07/08),
  • Successful completion of Part I and Part II of the National Board Dental Examination of the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations,
  • Not failing the WREB or California clinical examination within the last five (5) years (A letter from WREB stating that the applicant has not failed the WREB clinical examination within the last five years is acceptable proof); and,
  • Completion of fingerprinting requirements pursuant to Section 1629(b) of the Business and Professions code.

Additional requirements for issuance of a California dental license are:

  • Successful completion of the California Law and Ethics exam, and
  • Fingerprint clearances received from Dept. of Justice and the FBI, and
  • Completion of Lic-2 (11/07) Application for Issuance of License and Registration of Place of Practice (will be mailed to the applicant upon completion of all other licensure requirements).

To find out if your general practice residency or advanced education in general dentistry program is CODA-approved, you may contact the American Dental Association at (312) 440-2500 or visit http://www.ada.org/267.aspx to search for either Advanced Education in General Dentistry 12 months or General Practice Residency 12 months programs that are approved by CODA.

 

Applications and Certifications

Application for Determination of Licensure Eligibility (Residency)

Certification of Clinical Residency Completion

Application for Law and Ethics Examination


For more information, contact Eric Rivera at (916) 263-2150 or by email at Eric.Rivera@dca.ca.gov.