Before applying for licensure, please familiarize yourself with the general licensing policies Opens in a new window Opens in a new window.
Applicants who earned the degree of doctor of dental medicine or surgery, or its equivalent, from a foreign dental school may be eligible for licensure provided the applicant has:
Successfully completed the National Board of Dental Examiners (NBDE Opens in a new window Opens in a new window) examinations; and
Successfully completed an acceptable Regional Board Examination approved by the Connecticut State Dental Commission and Department of Public Health.
The following regional examinations are approved:
The Commission on Dental Competency Assessments Opens in a new window Opens in a new window Opens in a new window(formerly NERB)
Southern Regional Testing Agency Opens in a new window Opens in a new window Opens in a new window;
Central Regional Dental Testing Service Opens in a new window Opens in a new window Opens in a new window;
Western Regional Examining Board; Opens in a new window Opens in a new window Opens in a new window
Candidates must successfully complete all components of a regional board examination; an overall passing score is not acceptable.
Candidates who have successfully completed a clinical performance examination other than the Commission on Dental Competency Assessments must also pass the diagnostics component of the clinical performance test offered by the Commission on Dental Competency Assessments (formerly NERB) or the Council of Interstate Testing Agencies.
Successfully completed not less than two years of graduate dental training as a resident dentist in a program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA Opens in a new window Opens in a new window); and
Successfully completed at a level greater than the second post-graduate year, at least three additional years of residency or fellowship training accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA Opens in a new window Opens in a new window) in school of dentistry in Connecticut OR has served as a full-time faculty member for at least three years in a school of dentistry in Connecticut while holding a provisional license issued by this office;
If applicable, verification of all licenses ever held by the applicant (current or expired)from each state or territory in which the applicant is or has ever been licensed. Most states charge a fee for this service. Please contact each state or territory for fee information.
Documentation Requirements
An official transcript of dental education, verifying the award of the degree in dentistry, sent directly from the school to this office. Transcripts received in a language other than English will be forwarded to the applicant from this office with instructions on how to obtain an acceptable translation;
An official report of National Board scores, directly to this office. Please visit the ADA Opens in a new window Opens in a new window Opens in a new window website for score transfer information;
An official report of successful completion of an acceptable clinical performance examination;
Submission of a Verification of Dental Residency Training form Opens in a new window Opens in a new window Opens in a new window directly from the program director verifying successful completion of not less than two years of graduate dental training; and
Submission of a Verification of Dental Residency Training form Opens in a new window Opens in a new window Opens in a new window directly from the program director verifying completion of at least three additional years of residency or fellowship training OR a letter from the Dean of the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine indicating that the applicant has been a full-time faculty member for at least three years in a school of dentistry in Connecticut while holding a provisional license issued by this office;
Verification of all licenses ever held by the applicant (current or expired) directly from each state. Most states charge a fee for completion of the verification form Opens in a new window Opens in a new window Opens in a new window; contact each state or territory for fee information.
A complete application with photo and fee in the amount of $569.75. Applications are only accepted online. Please select this link Opens in a new window Opens in a new window Opens in a new window Opens in a new window to apply online. Please note that the application fee covers the Department's cost to query the National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB Opens in a new window Opens in a new window Opens in a new window).
All supporting documentation should be sent from the source to:
Connecticut Department of Public Health
Dental Licensure
410 Capitol Ave., MS #12 APP
P.O. Box 340308
Hartford, CT 06134
Phone:(860) 509-7603
Fax: (860) 707-1929
Email: dph.dentalteam@ct.gov