Application for Licensure Based on Completion of a Residency Program Licensure by Residency

Application for licensure based on completion of a General Practice Residency or Advanced Education in General Dentistry Program that is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) or a national accrediting body approved by the Dental Board of California (Board) pursuant to Business and Professions Code (BPC) section 1634.1.

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 Residency. It should be mailed along with a check or money order made payable to the Dental Board of California to the following address:

  • Dental Board of California
    2005 Evergreen Street, Suite 1550
    Sacramento, CA 95815
  • Pay a non-refundable application processing fee of $800.00.
  • 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 graduated from a dental school approved by the Board or CODA. 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 letter signed by the Dean of the dental school certifying that the applicant has graduated, completed all clinical and didactic requirements, and 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.
  • Submit proof of having passed the National Board Written Examination of the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations.

    • NOTE: Applicants can contact the American Dental Association (ADA) to have their scores made electronically available to the Board.

  • Submit proof of having completed a clinically based advanced education in general dentistry program or an advanced education program in general practice residency. The program or residency must be, at minimum, one year in duration and accredited by either CODA or a national accrediting body approved by the Board. A Certification of Clinical Residency Completion form is to be filled out upon successful completion of the program and to include an educational seal. Completion of the program shall be within two years prior to the date of their application for a license. The form shall be completed by the current program director.

    • NOTE: Some residency programs do not have an educational seal. In this case, applicants will need to request a signed letter from the program director stating that the program does not have an educational seal available.

  • 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.
    • An Individual Performance Report (WREB) or a Cumulative Score Report (ADEX) that shows no failures. This should be requested by the agency that administers the examination and can be emailed directly to the Board.
  • 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 a completed Out of State/Country Licensure Certification form (only for those who are licensed in another state or country). The Board will accept an electronic copy only if emailed directly from the licensing agency.
  • Submit a completed application for the Law and Ethics Examination with the required non-refundable application processing fee of $125, and then provide satisfactory evidence of having passed the Law and Ethics Examination.

    • NOTE: This examination can be taken up to one year prior to graduation from dental school.