Quick Hits
- Dental Assisting Program
- Approved DA Courses
- Dental Workforce Survey
- Online License Renewal (DDS)
- Dental Hygiene Committee
- E-mail Mailing List
- Elective Facial Cosmetic Surgery Permit (EFCS)
- License Renewal Information (RDA)
- Licensure by Residency
- Board Calendar
- Diversion Program
- License Verification
- Laws and Regulations
- Address Change Form (DDS)
- Name Change Form (DDS)
- Board Newsletters
- Complaint Form
- Education Providers
Related Links
Licensed Dentists
Renew Your License On Line
Dental licenses expire on the last day of the birth month of the licensee every two years, per Business and Professions Code, Section 1715. If the licensee's birth year is an even number, his or her license will expire during even-numbered years. If the licensee's birth year is an odd number, his or her license will expire during odd-numbered years. There is no grace period for a dentist in active practice, although a delinquency fee will not be assessed until the renewal is more than 30 days late. A dentist who practices after the expiration date without renewing is considered to be practicing without a license.
Renewal notices are mailed approximately 60 days before expiration. If a renewal notice is not received, see instructions below for online renewal or duplicate renewal form. A dentist is responsible for renewing the license regardless of having received the renewal notice or not.
Licensed dentisTs, registered dental assistants, and registered dental assistants in extended functions are required to complete healthcare survey
- Recent legislation (AB 269) was signed into California law that requires the Dental Board of California (Board) to collect data from all licensees with the purpose of identifying areas in California that are underserved with professionals with cultural or linguistic competencies in the dental health care field. Effective January 1, 2009, all initial licensure applicants and license renewal applicants will be required to report the following information to the Board pursuant to Business and Professions Code Section 1715.5 as follows:
- Completion of any advanced educational programs accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation in a dental specialty recognized by the American Dental Association [Business & Professions Code § 1715.5(a)]
- Practice or employment status [Business & Professions Code § 1715.5(b)]
- Reporting information regarding cultural background and foreign language proficiency is optional.
- All survey information will be collected and aggregated annually to be reported on the Board web site. The survey is on the reverse side of licensee's renewal forms. It is also online, as part of the online license renewal process.
- If you have any questions, please contact David Wolf at (916) 263-2356 or David.Wolf@dca.ca.gov.
Approximate processing times
Renewal Method: Mail
- Update of license status: 6-8 weeks
- Arrival of pocket license: 6-8 additional weeks
Renewal Method: On line
- Update of license status: 48 hours
- Arrival of pocket license: 2-3 weeks
Fees
- Online - see Online Professional Licensing on Homepage Fees
- DDS $365 active or inactive
- Delinquent fee $150 (30 days after expiration)
- Retired DDS $182.50 active or inactive
- Delinquent fee $91.25 (30 days after expiration)
Continuing Education
The minimum requirement for each renewal period is 50 hours of continuing education, including 2 hours of Infection Control, 2 hours of California Dental Law, and Basic Life Support. Dental licensees renewing for the first time are exempt from this requirement, see Business and Professions Code Section 1017. You may verify a Continuing Education Provider by visiting our License Verification web page.
Click here for Duplicate renewal notice.
Retired Dentists
InformationApplication
