Application to Obtain Eligibility to Take the Law and Ethics Examination

Applicants who apply for licensure through the WREB, ADEX, or Residency pathways must take and pass the California Dentistry Law and Ethics examination administered by PSI Services LLC (PSI), the examination administration provider contracted with the Dental Board of California (Board). The Law and Ethics examination can be taken up to one year prior to graduation from a dental program.

Application Requirements

• Submit a completed application online through BreEZe or by mail using a paper application. The paper application can be found at the following link: Application for Law and Ethics Examination. It should be mailed to the following address:

  Dental Board of California
  2005 Evergreen Street, Suite 1550
  Sacramento, CA 95815

  Please Note: If you are applying for a Special Permit for faculty at a California dental college, or if you previously passed the Restorative Technique Examination, you must submit the Application for Law and Ethics Examination for Special Permit Applicants or Applicants Who Previously Passed the Restorative Technique Exam.

• Pay a non-refundable application fee of $125.00.
• Provide satisfactory evidence that you have graduated or are expected to graduate from a dental school approved by the Board or the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) of the American Dental Association. One of the following documents must be submitted either electronically directly from the school or by mail with an original signature and university seal:
  • A completed paper Application for Law and Ethics Examination sent by mail, with question 12 on page 2 completed;
  • A letter signed by the Dean of the dental school certifying that the applicant has graduated, has completed all clinical and didactic requirements, and has been awarded the degree; or
  • A completed Certification of Dean of Dental College Granting Degree form , which can also be found on page 6 of the application.

  Note: Applications submitted by the dental school on behalf of an applicant are not accepted for processing. All applications must be submitted with a form of payment. If the dental school submits an application electronically without payment, it will fulfill the Dean Certification requirement, but the application will not be processed unless submitted by the applicant with the required fee via BreEZe or by mail.

IMPORTANT: Once the Board receives your application to take the Law and Ethics examination, you have two (2) years to pass the examination. Once you pass the examination, your passing score is valid for two (2) years after the date you receive your passing score. Authority: California Code of Regulations (CCR), title 16, section 1004, subsections (a)(1)–(3).

Cancelled (Abandoned) Applications

If your application is cancelled (abandoned), you must complete a new application. This includes submitting required documentation and processing fees to the Board. For more information, call (916) 263-2300 or email dentalboard@dca.ca.gov.

Registering for the Examination

Once your application has been processed and approved by the Board, your eligibility to test will be sent to the testing vendor Psychological Services Incorporated (PSI) who administers the test. You will receive a letter by mail with information regarding scheduling your examination and additional study material. PSI will charge a separate examination fee, which will be paid directly to PSI upon registration to take the exam. PSI will mail the Candidate Information Bulletin (CIB) to your address of record. Review the CIB thoroughly for important information about acceptable clothing attire, cancellation policy, and other guidance. If you fail the exam, or miss your scheduled test date, you can contact PSI to reschedule the exam in 7–10 business days. Additional submission for eligibility, or submission of a re–exam application is not required.

Once you have passed the Law and Ethics examination, notify the Board by email at dentalboard@dca.ca.gov.

• Candidate Information Bulletin for Licensed Dentist Written and Law and Ethics Exam

For more information, visit PSI's CA Dentistry Law and Ethics Examination webpage.

Testing Accommodations For Licensure Candidates With Disabilities

Applicants who have a disability and need a testing accommodation to take a licensure examination can find the testing accommodation request form and information by clicking HERE. Applicants can contact the Dental Board by email at DentalBoard@dca.ca.gov or by phone at (916) 263-2300 with any questions.

Processing Time

An application may be approved in as little as 30 days if the application is complete and submitted with all required documentation. However, the standard processing time is 4 weeks.

For more information, call (916) 263-2300 or email dentalboard@dca.ca.gov.