License Update and Maintenance

You can maintain your Dentist License and permits and update your license and permit information using the BreEZe system at www.BreEZe.ca.gov. If you do not have a BreEZe account, select New User to create one. You can link licenses and permits to your BreEZe account by selecting the Update Profile tab as shown below.

License Update

Changing the Status of Your License

You may change the status of a Dentist License to active or inactive. Inactive status may be appropriate if you are discontinuing your clinical practice of dentistry and will stop offering dental services.

To change the status of your license, submit a request online at www.BreEZe.ca.gov. Regardless of license status, maintaining your license will require payment of a renewal fee. To change your Dentist License from inactive to active status, you must certify completion of the required continuing education courses. [BPC § 462.]

You may change the status of your license when renewing. If you are due to renew in the next 90 days, complete your renewal application at www.BreEZe.ca.gov and select either Active or Inactive when answering the renewal questions.

Permits may not be placed on inactive status.

Requesting a Replacement License

To request a duplicate or replacement pocket license or wall certificate, either submit a request online at www.BreEZe.ca.gov or mail a completed Declaration and Request for Replacement Pocket License or Certificate form to the Board. The current fee for a replacement license is $50.00. Effective April 1, 2024, the fee for a replacement license is $111.00. Requests sent by mail must include a check payment. Make the check payable to the Dental Board of California.

Reduced Dentist License Renewal Fee

You may request a reduced Dentist License renewal fee if you meet all of the following requirements of BPC § 1716.1:

  • You have practiced dentistry in California for 20 years or more.
  • You have reached the age of retirement under the federal Social Security Act.
  • You customarily provide your services free of charge or for a nominal charge. In no event may the aggregate of these charges in any single calendar year be in an amount that would render you ineligible for full Social Security benefits.

To request a reduced renewal fee, mail a completed Application for Reduced Dental License Renewal Fee form to the Board. When renewing and paying a reduced fee, you must choose to renew in either active or inactive status. If your license is in inactive status, you are exempt from CE requirements. [BPC § 703.] If your license is in active status but you are in uncompensated practice only, you are required to complete 30 units of CE every two years instead of the normal 50 hours. These 30 hours of CE must include mandatory courses and courses related directly to the delivery of dental services. [BPC § 1645.]

Waiver of 50% of Renewal Fee for a Dentist with a Disability

A licensed dentist who is unable to practice dentistry due to a disability may request a waiver of 50% of the renewal fee. [BPC § 1716.1.] The request can be submitted online at www.BreEZe.ca.gov or by mail. To submit by mail, mail a completed Disabled Dentist Application for Waiver of 50% of License Renewal Fee form to the Board.

A licensed dentist granted a 50% waiver may not engage in the practice of dentistry unless and until they pay the current renewal fee in full and submit a completed Application to Remove Disabled Status from License form to the Board.

Reporting a Change of Name

A legal name change must be reported to the Board within 10 days. [BPC § 1654.] You may submit a notification of name change online at www.BreEZe.ca.gov or by mail. Submission by mail must include all of the following items:

  1. A completed Notification of Name Change form.
  2. A copy of a current, government-issued photographic identification (e.g., driver’s license, alien registration, passport, etc.).
  3. A copy of one of the following legal documents as proof of name change:
    • Certified Court Order
    • Marriage Certificate
    • Dissolution of Marriage (Divorce)

There is no fee for a name change unless a replacement pocket or wall license is requested. Once the name is changed, the next pocket license issued at the time of renewal will be issued in the new name.

Effective January 1, 2024, under BPC § 27.5, licensees may notify the Board of a name and/or gender change and request confidentiality of the previous name or gender information, when meeting certain specified requirements. For more information and to make a request, click here.

Reporting a Change of Address

A change of address must be submitted either online at www.BreEZe.ca.gov or by mail. To submit by mail, mail a completed Change of Address Form to the Board. If you do not have a BreEZe account, you can create one and link your license and permits. See the instructions above under License Update and Maintenance.

The Fictitious Name Permit (FNP) is address-specific, so the address cannot be changed. If you have moved, you must apply for a new FNP. The address for an Additional Office (AO) permit can be changed if the new address is within the same county.

Letter of Certification of License or Permit

You can request certification of a license or permit either online at www.BreEZe.ca.gov or by mail. To submit a request online, log into your BreEZe account at www.breeze.ca.gov and select the Request Certification of Licensure application in the Manage Your License Activities drop-down menu. To submit a request by mail, mail a completed Request for Certification of California Dental License form to the Board. Letters of Certification are sent by mail and can take up to 30 days to process.

A licensed dentist who passed the Board’s Dental Licensure Examination prior to 2010 can request their examination scores. This request can be submitted either online or by mail. To request an examination score by mail, complete the relevant section of the Request for Certification of California Dental License form and mail the form to the Board.

Important Notice to All Dentists Regarding Death or Incapacity to Practice

Effective January 1, 2008, certain non-dentists may, upon a dentist’s death or incapacity to practice, contract with another licensed dentist or dentists to continue the dental practice for up to 12 months from the date of death or incapacity. The practice must meet specified criteria and certain conditions must be met, including providing specific notification to the Board. BPC sections 1625.3 and 1625.4 authorize this contract action for the legal guardian, conservator, or authorized representative of an incapacitated dentist; the executor or administrator of the estate of a deceased dentist; or the named trustee or successor trustee of a trust or subtrust who meets certain requirements. You and your estate planner should become familiar with these requirements and the notification process. Contact the Board for additional information.

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