The Ohio State Dental Board offers the following types of licenses, permits and certificates:

• Dental licensure.
• Dental Hygiene licensure.
• Dental licensure for graduates of unaccredited dental colleges located outside the United States.
• Dental Limited Resident's licenses.
• Dental and Dental Hygiene Limited Teaching licenses.
• Dental Limited Continuing Education licenses.
• Reinstatement from Retirement/Suspension.
• Dental Assistant Radiographer's certificates.
• Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary Registration.
• General Anesthesia Permits.
• Conscious Sedation Permits.
• Coronal Polishing Certificates.
• Volunteer Certificates.

Dental Licensure

The following information is required from all applicants:

1. A completed application with the appropriate nonrefundable fee.
2. Proof of graduation from an accredited school of dentistry with seal.
3. A "Final Report Card" from the National Board of Dental Examiners. Photocopy not accepted.
4. A Criminal Records Check (BCI&I and FBI) completed by the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation, must be submitted directly the the Board. Results shall be received by the board prior to the issuance of a license to practice. For information on obtaining a background check, you may go the their website: http://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Services/Business/WebCheck.
5. Certificate of Good Standing from each state where the applicant holds or has held a license to practice.
6. Letters of recommendation from each of the local dental associations or societies of which the applicant has been a member during the preceding five years.
7. Proof of immunity to or inoculation against the hepatitis B virus.
8. Pass a written jurisprudence examination on the Dental Practice Act, Chapter 4715. of the Ohio Revised Code. This examination is available on our homepage at www.dental.ohio.gov under Jurisprudence exams.

The Board will accept applications for initial licensure from dentists that meet ONE of the following requirements:

A) Dentists who have passed all parts of the clinical examinations administered by the Northeast Regional Board (NERB), Central Regional Dental Testing Service (CRDTS), Southern Regional Testing Agency (SRTA) and Western Regional Examining Board (WREB) or

B) Dentists who possess a license in good standing from another state and have been actively engaged in the legal and reputable practice of dentistry in another state or in the armed forces of the United States, the United States public health service, or the United States department of veteran's affairs for five years immediately preceeding application are eligible for licensure.

Download application packet

Dental Hygiene Licensure

The following information is required from all applicants:

1. A completed application with the appropriate nonrefundable fee.
2. Proof of graduation from an accredited school of dental hygiene with seal.
3. A "Final Report Card" from the National Board of Dental Examiners. Photocopy not accepted.
4. A Criminal Records Check (BCI&I and FBI) completed by the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation, must be submitted directly the the Board. Results shall be received by the board prior to the issuance of a license to practice. For information on obtaining a background check, you may go the their website: http://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Services/Business/WebCheck.
5. Certificate of Good Standing from each state where the applicant holds or has held a license to practice.
6. Letters of recommendation from each of the local dental associations or societies of which the applicant has been a member during the preceding five years.
7. Proof of immunity to or inoculation against the hepatitis B virus.
8. Pass a written jurisprudence examination on the Dental Practice Act, Chapter 4715. of the Ohio Revised Code. This examination is available on our homepage at www.dental.ohio.gov under Jurisprudence exams.

The Board will accept applications for initial licensure from dental hygienists that meet ONE of the following requirements:

Hygienists who have passed all parts of a regional board examination - North East Regional Board (NERB), Central Regional Dental Testing Service (CRDTS), Southern Regional Testing Agency (SRTA) an Western Regional Examining Board (WREB).

Hygienists who possess a license in good standing from another state and have been actively engaged in the legal and reputable practice of dental hygiene in another state or in the armed forces of the United States, the United States public health service, or the United States department of veteran's affairs for five years immediately preceeding application are eligible for licensure..

Grade cards from all regional boards are required prior to consideration of the application.

Download application packet

Dental Licensure for Graduates of an Unaccredited Dental College Located Outside the United States

The Ohio State Dental Board (Board) will consider applications from graduates of unaccredited dental college located outside the United States who meet the following criteria:

• Have taken a basic science and laboratory examination consistent with rules adopted under section 4715.11 of the Revised Code and received a passing score as established by the board:
• Have had sufficient clinical training in an accredited institution to reasonably assure a level of competency equal to that of graduates of accredited dental colleges, as determined by the board.

1. Pass Parts I and II of the National Board examination.
2. Provide proof of having passed either the "Test of English as a Foreign Language" (TOEFL), with a score of 650; or attainment of level 109 in the "English Language Service Test."
3. Provide the following notarized credentials in English translation:
   1. Diploma or evidence of graduation from a dental school.
   2. Evidence of being licensed or admitted to practice in the country of graduation.
   3. A complete transcript of all academic grades in dental school with courses completed, along with pre-dental school transcripts.
4. Further information required:
   1. A Criminal Records Check (BCI&I and FBI) completed by the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation, must be submitted directly the the Board. Results shall be received by the board prior to the issuance of a license to practice. For information on obtaining a background check, you may go the their website: http:/http://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Services/Business/WebCheck.
   2. A certification letter from each of the state boards of dental examiners where you hold or have held a dental license.
   3. Letters of recommendation from each of the local dental associations or societies of which you have been a member during the preceding five years.
5. You must also send a certified attestation, acceptable to the Board, from the faculty of an ADA-accredited dental college, that you have had a laboratory examination, and clinical training in all phases of general dentistry, and that you presently possess clinical skills at least equal to the graduates of that school.
   
   1. Since the vast majority of American dental schools do not offer a laboratory examination, and the laboratory examinations that are offered may not be acceptable to the Ohio State Dental Board, it is recommended that the applicant enroll in a two-year program in an accredited dental school that includes clinical training, and which is commensurate with the final two years of dental school.
6. Proof of immunity to or immunization against the hepatitis B virus.
7. Prior to any application being presented to the Board, the applicant must pass an examination on Board Statutes and Regulations (Chapter 4715. of the Ohio Revised Code. This examination is available on our homepage at www.dental.ohio.gov under Jurisprudence exams.

Fees for foreign-trained dentists are the same as those for other dental license applicants, and are likewise nonrefundable.

There is no provision in the Dental Practice Act for licensure of foreign-trained dental hygienists. Only graduates of accredited dental hygiene schools may apply for an Ohio dental hygiene license.

Download application packet

Limited Resident's License

The Ohio State Dental Board (Board) may grant a Limited Resident's License to a graduate of a dental school, authorized to practice in another state or country or qualified to take the regular licensing examination in this state, and who furnishes the Board satisfactory proof that he has been appointed a dental resident at an accredited dental college in this state or at an accredited program of a hospital in this state, but who has not yet been licensed as a dentist by the Board.

Any person receiving such Limited Resident's License may practice dentistry only in connection with programs operated by the dental college or hospital at which he is appointed as a resident as designated on his Limited Resident's License, and only under the direction of a licensed dentist who is a member of the staff thereof, or a dentist holding a current limited teaching license, and only on bona fide patients of such programs. If residency program is changed, you must submit a new application for a limited resident's license.

Limited Resident's License applications must be reviewed and approved by the Board. The license is valid from July 1st of the year of issue, through the termination of the residency program.

The nonrefundable fee for the Limited Resident's License is $10.00.

Download application packet

Dental and Dental Hygiene Limited Teaching Licenses

The Ohio State Dental Board (Board) may without examination issue a Limited Teaching License to a dentist or dental hygienist who is authorized to practice dentistry or dental hygiene in another state or country, and who has a full-time appointment to the faculty of the endorsing dental college or dental hygiene school. A person holding a limited teaching license may practice only in connection with programs operated by the endorsing dental college.

Limited Teaching Licenses are subject to yearly renewal. The nonrefundable fee for the license is $101 for dentists, $58 for dental hygienists.

The application must be certified by both the dean of the dental college, and the chairman of the department, or by the director of the dental hygiene school and a Criminal Records Check (BCI&I and FBI) completed by the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation, must be submitted directly the the Board. Results shall be received by the board prior to the issuance of a license to practice. For information on obtaining a background check, you may go the their website: http://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Services/Business/WebCheck.

Pass a written jurisprudence examination on the Dental Practice Act, Chapter 4715. of the Ohio Revised Code. This examination is available on our homepage at www.dental.ohio.gov under Jurisprudence exams.

Download application packet - Limited Dentist Teaching

Download application packet - Limited Dental Hygiene Teaching

Limited Continuing Education License

The Ohio State Dental Board (Board) shall, without examination, issue a temporary Limited Continuing Education license to a resident of a state other than Ohio who is licensed to practice dentistry in such state and is in good standing, is a graduate of an accredited dental college, and is registered to participate in a continuing dental education practicum in Ohio. The application must be endorsed by the Director of the continuing education practicum.

The dentist holding a temporary Limited Continuing Education license may practice dentistry only on residents of the state in which he is permanently licensed or on patients referred by a dentist licensed in Ohio, and only while participating in a required clinical exercise of the endorsing practicum on the premises of the facility where the practicum is being conducted.

Practice under a temporary Limited Continuing Education license shall be under the direct supervision and full professional responsibility of an instructing dentist licensed in Ohio, shall be limited to the performance of those procedures necessary to complete the endorsing practicum and shall not exceed thirty days of actual patient treatment in any year. A "treatment day" is any portion of any day during which treatment is rendered to a patient in a continuing education practicum.

Persons applying for a Limited Continuing Education license must pay the nonrefundable application fee of $101; provide certification of graduation from an accredited school; certification of licensure from any states in which they currently hold or have held a license; application must be endorsed by the Director of the continuing education practicum; and proof of having been immunized against or having immunity to the hepatitis B virus.

The Limited Continuing Education license is renewable a maximum of two times.

Download application packet

Reinstatement from Retirement/Suspension

A dentist or dental hygienist who has been retired for longer than one year, or who has been suspended for nonrenewal in accordance with ORC 4715.141 and 4715.24, must file an application for reinstatement, pay the appropriate nonrefundable fee, provide proof of having completed forty hours of continuing education for dentists or twelve hours of continuing education for hygienists, proof of inoculation against or immunity to the hepatitis B virus, a Criminal Records Check (BCI&I and FBI) completed by the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation, must be submitted directly the the Board. Results shall be received by the board prior to the issuance of a license to practice. For information on obtaining a background check, you may go the their website: http://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Services/Business/WebCheck, and take the examination on the Dental Practice Act (Chapter 4715. of the Ohio Revised Code). You will be notified if there will be an interview before the Board after review of your application.

Dental hygienists who have not practiced for longer than five years will be required to take a refresher course at an accredited hygiene school prior to applying for reinstatement.

In addition, dentists and dental hygienists who have not practiced for an extended period of time may be required to pass a clinical examination.

This procedure supersedes all previous procedures that may have been followed in previous years.

Download application packet - Dental Reinstatement

Download application packet - Dental Hygiene Reinstatement

Dental Assistant Radiographer's Certificate

The Ohio State Dental Board (Board) may grant a certificate to practice as a dental assistant radiographer in the State of Ohio to dental assistants meeting the following requirements:

1. Applicant must file an application and pay the nonrefundable fee of $25, by certified check or money order, made payable to the Ohio State Dental Board.
2. Applicant must have completed training in dental radiography from an Ohio State Dental Board approved sponsor (Approved Sponsor List), unless:
   1. He/She holds certification from the Dental Assisting National Board or the Ohio Commission on Dental Assistant Certification (Proof of his/her current certification must show an expiration date, and must accompany the application); or
   2. He/She holds a license, certificate, or other credential issued by another state that uses standards for dental assistant radiographers that the Ohio State Dental Board has determined are at least equal to those established by the Board. (Proof of acceptable licensure or certification must accompany the application.)
3. The applicant must show immunity to or inoculation against the hepatitis B virus when such inoculation does not threaten his/her health and well-being. Proof of having received the series of inoculations MUST accompany the application.

   Download application packet

   Download application packet for Reinstatement

Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary Registration

The Ohio State Dental Board (Board) may grant registration to practice as an expanded function dental auxiliary in the State of Ohio to applicants meeting the following requirements:

1. Applicant must file an application and pay the nonrefundable fee of $20, by certified check or money order, made payable to the Ohio State Dental Board;
2. Applicant must have completed and EFDA education or training course accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association or the higher learning commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools;
3. Proof of having successfully passed the examination administered by the Commission on Dental Testing in Ohio or an examination accepted by the Ohio State Dental Board;
4. Proof of current certification to perform basic life-support procedures certified by either the American Red Cross, the American Heart Association or the American Health and Safety Institute; and
5. The applicant must show immunity to or inoculation against the hepatitis B virus when such inoculation does not threaten his/her health and well-being. Proof of having received the series of inoculations MUST accompany the application.

   Download application packet

General Anesthesia Permit

The Ohio State Dental Board (Board) may grant a General Anesthesia Permit to a dentist who can produce evidence showing that he or she:

1. Has completed an approved, accredited post-doctoral training program which affords appropriate training necessary to administer deep sedation and general anesthesia; and/or
2. Has completed an approved Accreditation council for graduate medical education (ACGME) accredited post-doctoral training program in anesthesiology which affords appropriate training necessary to administer deep sedation and general anesthesia; and/or
3. Has completed a minimum of one year advanced clinical training in anesthesiology from a Joint commission on accreditation of healthcare organization (JCAHO) accredited institution beyond the minimum one year pre-doctoral training in anesthesiology and that meets the objectives set forth in Part Two of the American dental association’s "Guidelines for Teaching the Comprehensive Control of Anxiety and Pain in Dentistry"; and ,
4. Has a properly equipped facility(s), whether fixed, mobile, or portable, for the administration of general anesthesia or deep sedation in which the permit holder agrees to have available and utilize adequate monitoring, personnel, emergency equipment and drugs as recommended in the American dental association’s "Guidelines for the Use of Conscious Sedation, Deep Sedation and General Anesthesia for Dentists" and/or the American association of oral and maxillofacial surgeon’s "Office Anesthesia Evaluation Manual"; and
5. At the time of application maintains successful completion of an advanced cardiac life support course, or its age appropriate equivalent; and
6. Maintains a permanent address within the state of Ohio in which he or she conducts business pursuant to his or her Ohio dental license.

A nonrefundable fee of $527 is payable to the Board at the time of application.

(Please refer to Section 4715-5-05 of the Ohio Administrative Code "Use of General Anesthesia and Deep Sedation" for more information.)

Download application packet

Conscious Sedation Permit

The Ohio State Dental Board may grant a Conscious Sedation Permit under the following conditions to dentists using conscious sedation, with the exception of nitrous oxide/oxygen inhalation conscious sedation for patients of any age and/or oral conscious sedation or anxiolysis of patient age thirteen and older, which does not require a permit.

In order to receive such permit, the dentist must apply on a prescribed application to the Ohio State Dental Board, submit the fee ($327) as established by section 4715.13 (E) of the Revised Code, and produce evidence showing that he or she:

1. Has successfully completed comprehensive pre-doctoral or continuing education conscious sedation training in an accredited educational institution or program, which included a minimum of sixty hours of didactic instruction and twenty cases of clinical experience commensurate with each intended route(s) of administration, whether;
   1. Oral for children twelve years or younger; or
   2. Non-intravenous parenteral; or
   3. Intravenous.

      Training in intravenous conscious sedation qualifies the permit holder to administer any route of conscious sedation. Didactic and clinical training shall conform to the principles in part I or part III of the American Dental Association's "Guidelines for Teaching the Comprehensive Control of Pain and Anxiety in Dentistry", with clinical experience commensurate with the intended route of administration; or

2. Has satisfactorily completed an accredited post-doctoral training program which included conscious sedation training equivalent to paragraph (B)(1) of this rule; or
3. Has satisfactorily completed the qualifications governing the use of general anesthesia in rule 4715-5-05 of the Administrative Code; and
4. Has a properly equipped facility(s), whether fixed, mobile, or portable, in which the permit holder agrees to have available and utilize adequate monitoring, personnel, emergency equipment and drugs as recommended in the American Dental Association's "Guidelines for the Use of Conscious Sedation, Deep Sedation and General Anesthesia for Dentists" and/or the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry's "Guidelines for Conscious Sedation of Pediatric Patients"; and
5. At the time of application maintains successful completion of an advanced cardiac life support course, or its age appropriate equivalent; and
6. Maintains a permanent address within the State of Ohio where he or she conducts business pursuant to his or her Ohio state dental license.

(Please refer to Section 4715-5-07 of the Ohio Administrative Code "Use of Conscious Sedation" for more information.)

Download application packet

Coronal Polishing Certificate

The Ohio State Dental Board may grant a certificate to perform coronal polishing to certified dental assistants meeting the following requirements:

1. Proof of current dental assistant certification from the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) or the Ohio Commission on Dental Assistant Certification (OCDAC); and
2. Proof of completion of the 7-hour Board-approved Coronal Polishing Training Program (Approved Training Programs); and
3. Proof of having successfully completed an examination for coronal polishing through the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB), Ohio Commission on Dental Assistant Certification or the educational institution in which you received the Board-approved Training Program or
4. Proof of current certification from DANB or OCDAC and a copy of licensure, certification, or other credential issued by another state that uses standards that are at least equal to the training and examination requirements for Ohio; and
5. Proof of immunity or inoculation against the Hepatitis B virus

In order the receive such certificate, application must apply on a prescribed application to the Ohio State Dental Board, submit the fee of $15.00.

Download application packet

Volunteer Certificate

The Ohio State Dental Board may grant a certificate to provide free dental services to indigent and uninsured persons at non-profit shelters or health care facilities in the state of Ohio who meet the following requirements:

1. Proof of degree from dental college of dental hygiene school;
2. Copy of most recent license to practice dentistry or dental hygiene in the United States or most recent license equivalent to a license to practice dentistry or dental hygiene in one or more branches of the United States armed services that the United States government issued:
3. Evidence that you maintained a dental or dental hygiene license in good standing for at least ten years prior to retirement in the United States, or that you have practiced as a dentist or dental hygienist in good standing in one or more branches of the united States armed services that the United States government issued for ten years prior to retirement;
4. Proof of immunity to or inoculation against the Hepatitis B virus.

In order the receive such certificate, application must apply on a prescribed application to the Ohio State Dental Board. .

Download application packet

You may phone the Board office at (614) 466-2580, FAX us at (614) 752-8995, or write to us at Ohio State Dental Board, 77 South High Street, 18th Floor, Columbus, Ohio 43215-6135, to request further information or application materials.