License By Credential Pathway: Pending Clinical Practice Contract

This pathway requires a signed, full–time (minimum of 32 hours per week), 2–year contract to practice dentistry as specified in Business and Professions Code (BPC) section 1635.5, subdivision (a)(3)(B) in at least one of the following:

  • A primary care clinic licensed under subdivision (a) of Section 1204 of the Health and Safety Code.
  • A primary care clinic exempt from licensure pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 1206 of the Health and Safety Code.
  • A clinic owned or operated by a public hospital or health system.
  • A clinic owned and operated by a hospital that maintains the primary contract with a county government to fill the county's role under Section 17000 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

*Requires a completed form, which is available by using this link:

NOTE: For more information on underserved communities, please visit Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA).

Application Requirements

Before applying to the Board for a dentist license, all applicants must:

  • Be at least 18 years of age.
  • Submit a completed application online through BreEZe or by mail using a paper application.
  • The paper application can be found at the following link: Licensure by Credential. It should be mailed to the following address:
    • Dental Board of California
      2005 Evergreen Street, Suite 1550
      Sacramento, CA 95815
  • Pay a non–refundable application fee of $525.00.
  • Provide a color passport–style photo. Please ensure the photo is clear with a plain background and the applicant's entire profile is visible. The photo should be included with the initial application, or it can be emailed to the Board for processing.
  • Submit proof of having an active and unrestricted license issued by another state, district, or territory of the United States to practice dentistry that is not subject to any current or pending disciplinary action such as revocation, suspension, or probation. Submit an Out of State Certification Form.
    NOTE: The Board will accept an electronic copy only if emailed directly from the licensing agency. The Board will not accept license verifications directly from the applicant, whether via BreEZe, email, or mail (unless delivered in a sealed unopened envelope.)
  • Submit proof that the applicant has not failed a state, regional, or national examination for licensure to practice dentistry within five years prior to the date of the application. If the applicant subsequently passed the examination for licensure, the prior failure shall not make the applicant ineligible. Acceptable proof is as follows:
    • Complete and submit the Certification of Non–Failure of Licensure form. This can be emailed to the Board for processing. This form is required even if you have never taken the WREB or ADEX examination or a state, regional, or national exam for licensure.
  • Submit classifiable sets of fingerprints. (Click link for more information)
    • For Live Scan service (only available in California) once you have submitted this application, Board staff will review and send you the Live Scan forms via email with instructions.
    • Applicants located outside of California must use hard cards provided by the Board or Standard FBI fingerprint cards. If submitting hard cards, the applicant must pay a non–refundable processing fee of $49 at the time of application submission or mailed to the Board along with the hard cards with a check or money order made payable to the Dental Board of California. You can send a message to the Board to request a set of fingerprint hard cards.
  • Submit fifty (50) continuing education (CE) courses.

For more information, call (916) 263–2300 or send a message to the Board.