Dentists and dental hygiene licenses expire 12/31/2025. You cannot practice without a current license. It is your responsibility to renew your license even if you do not receive a notice. It is your responsibility to ensure the Board has your current contact information, including email address, on file.
Dental assistants do not renew until next year and expire 12/31/2026.
RENEWAL TIPS:
Renewal Fees: Dentist $475 Late fee $475
Dental Hygienist $185 Late fee $185
Dermal fillers and botulinum toxin permit renewal $225.00 Late fee $125
Sedation and anesthesia permit renewal $200 Late fee: $225
CONTINUING EDUCATION
DO NOT submit any continuing education to the Board office unless requested by the Board for an audit. The Board no longer collects, stores or maintains CE records. Should you be selected for a random CE audit, you must provide evidence of appropriate CE. Therefore, save evidence of CE for the event of an audit. When signing the renewal form, you are attesting that all CE requirements have been met. Signing the form without having completed the hours may result in Board action if your CE records are audited.
As per Administrative regulations, ND dentists, dental hygienists and registered dental assistants may achieve CE requirements online by attending record webinars or online classes without a proctor. Of these online or self-study courses, there is a limit of 16 hours for dentists and 8 hours for hygienists. Live webinars do not count as online or self-study courses because they allow for interaction with the presenter. All dentists, hygienists and dental assistants must maintain a current infection control and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certificate. Anesthesia permit holders are required to maintain current advanced cardiac life support certification or pediatric advanced live support as specified by permit.
Inactive Dentists and Inactive Dental Hygienists Renew Annually
A registered dental hygienist or a dentist may place a license on inactive status. A dentist or dental hygienist on inactive status shall be excused from paying renewal fees for license but shall pay the annual inactive status renewal fee. To maintain inactive status, the inactive status renewal application and $40 application fee must be received by the Board by December 31st annually. While on inactive status, the licensee may not engage in the practice of dentistry or dental hygiene in the state until the individual submits a reinstatement application, pays the application fee, and meets any additional requirements established by rule of the Board. Continuing education is not required while the licensee remains on inactive status, However, continuing education is required to reinstate a license.
Inactive Renewal Notice & Application – 2026 Inactive Renewal form for dentists & hygienists
Other Important Information about Renewal
Newly licensed dentists and dental hygienists: If you recently became licensed, you must still renew your license. A renewal cycle is two-years. Dentists and dental hygienists must renew by December 31, of odd numbered years. Registered dental assistants renew by December 31, of even numbered years. Newly licensed dentists and dental hygienists or dental assistants who graduated from a program within two years of completion of an accredited program (or RDA completed DANB within the last 2 years) are exempt from the CE requirement but still must renew the license or registration.
Notice regarding registration certificates: A confirmation notice will be sent via email once your renewal is approved by the Board. Approval is done at least once a week. The license or registration can be verified on the Board's Verification & Roster page.
Certificates will NO LONGER be mailed out. You may print your certificate from the Board's website links below. You will need to login with your last name, license number, and the last 4 digits of your SSN.
Dentists - Print your new dental certificate.
Hygienists - Print your new RDH certificate.
Pursuant to the North Dakota Century Code, a licensee must provide the Board current and correct addresses. It is the responsibility of the registrant to renew the license and any permits whether you receive a renewal notice or not.
Continuing Education Requirements for Renewal
DO NOT SUBMIT CONTINUING EDUCATION TO THE BOARD. The Board no longer collects, stores or maintains CE records. Should you be selected for a random CE audit, the licensee must provide evidence of appropriate CE. Therefore, save evidence of CE for the event of an audit. When signing the renewal form, the licensee also attests that all CE requirements have been met.
The Board requires 16 hours for a registered dental assistant and dental hygienists and 32 hours for dentist renewal. Total hours must include 2 hours of infection control, 2 hours of ethics or jurisprudence, and 2 hours of a board approved cardiopulmonary resuscitation course (CPR) or Basic Life Support. CE courses must be directly related to clinical dentistry, hygiene or assisting. You may obtain one half of the required CE hours from self-study or online courses. LIVE WEBINARS count as in-classroom hours. Two hours of CE is awarded to practitioners who take the open book, free of charge, online Ethics/Jurisprudence examination. Please go to the Board’s website to complete the open book online Jurisprudence exam for 2 credits.
All dentists, hygienists and dental assistants must maintain a current cardiopulmonary resuscitation certificate. Anesthesia permit holders are required to maintain current advanced cardiac life support certification or pediatric advanced live support as specified by permit. The Board encourages licensees to obtain renewal of CPR certification as it becomes available.
TIMELINE - ONLINE LICENSE RENEWAL
11/5/2025 - Approximate date that renewal notices will be sent out to all dentists and hygienists.
Military Spouse: The ND Board of Dental Examiners is required by law to inquire as to the status of a military spouse. The question will appear on renewal forms and initial applications. The Board defines a "military spouse" as a foreign practitioner who is the spouse of a member of the armed forces of the United States or a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States stationed in North Dakota in accordance with military orders or stations in North Dakota before a temporary assignment to duties outside of North Dakota.
12/31/2025 - Dentists and hygienists who do not renew by December 31 of the odd-numbered year will incur late fees. If your renewal was not received online or USPS postmarked on or before December 31, your registration expires and you may not practice. After December 31, you must pay the additional late fees to renew your license.
Inactive Status Annual Renewal - 2026 Inactive Renewal form for dentists & hygienists. The annual inactive status for dentists and hygienists expires December 31 of every year.
General Renewal Information - Continuing Education & License Renewal
Do Not Submit Continuing Education to the Board Office. The Board no longer collects, stores or maintains CE records. Should you be selected for a random CE audit, the licensee must provide evidence of appropriate CE. Therefore, save evidence of CE for the event of an audit. When signing the renewal form, the registrant also attests that all CE requirements have been met.
Permits Requiring CE:
General anesthesia & deep sedation permits; requires 4 hours of related CE
Moderate sedation permits; requires 4 hours of related CE
Anesthesia dental assistant; requires 2 hours of related CE
Restorative functions; requires 2 hours of related CE
Endorsements such as an endorsement for local anesthesia, nitrous monitoring or sealants do not require renewal or require related continuing education. Botox permits do require renewal and CE. DO NOT SUBMIT CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR ANESTHESIA PERMITS TO THE BOARD UNLESS SELECTED FOR A RANDOM CE AUDIT.
Permits that Must be Renewed by December 31, of odd numbered years
General Anesthesia
Moderate sedation, and
Botox permit
CE Audit
The Board recommends you retain documentation such as receipts, vouchers or certificates of completion for the current and previous renewal cycle. Examples of proof of CE includes receipts, and certificates of completion. If the course was a “webinar” the certificate of completion must indicate “webinar”, course title, date of completion, number of CE hours attended. Membership organizations may also provide certificates indicating proof of attendance.
Self-Study | Classroom Style CE | Webinars
The Board defines self-study as those in which there is no interaction between an instructor and student, or education in which the student engages in the learning activity without supervision or an instructor. Self-study programs may be pre-recorded audio programs, self-paced digital courses, or self-paced online courses. Self-study is an education process designed to permit a participant to learn a given subject without involvement of a proctor.
One half of required CE credits may be obtained by classroom style learning or webinars. The Board views a live webinar as a method of learning, such as a presentation, lecture, workshop or seminar which takes place on the Internet using video conferencing software. The remote audience may see and hear the presenter, ask questions and sometimes answer polls. The key feature of a webinar is its interactive elements and the ability to receive and discuss information in real-time. If you are watching a recorded webinar, it is considered self-study and will count towards the self-study limit.
Classroom style learning is described as, attending a conference, course or may also be as simple as a qualified practitioner providing CE with the aid of electronic media, for example study clubs, or practitioners providing CE to employees regarding infection control or nitrous oxide equipment education. Live webinars will count toward classroom style learning.
CPR
In addition to the biennial continuing education requirement, all practitioners must maintain a valid and current CPR or BLS certification. Any credits earned by taking a CPR/BLS course for the sake of maintaining a valid certification will be counted towards the biennial CE requirement. CPR education must have a hands-on component.
Initial Licensure Fee vs. Renewal Fee
Both fees are required in order to obtain and maintain a license and registration with the NDBDE. The initial license application fee is paid to initiate administrative processes and verifications that must be completed by the Board’s administrative office. The renewal fee, grants the license for the following two-year period. Failure to pay the renewal fee will cause the license to expire.
If you are uncertain of your licensure status, click on the Board's Verification & Roster page. It is illegal to practice dentistry, dental hygiene, or provide dental assisting expanded duties without a license or registration. Once a practitioner is delinquent in renewing by December 31st, it is unlawful to practice without a valid registration or certificate of license.
Dentists, dental hygienists and registered dental assistants have a duty to report [See NDCC 43-28-18.1] within 60 days of the event any illegal, unethical, or errant behavior or conduct including the following events, proceedings, or formal or informal actions:
A practitioner shall advise the board in a timely manner if they reasonably believes another practitioner has committed an illegal or immoral act or has otherwise failed to make a report as required by law. If you have an incident to report as required by statute, submit the supporting documentation and/or certified copies of all court documents, police records related to the matter discussed in the petition.
What do I need to renew online?
A current email address
A method of payment: Most major credit cards accepted (not American Express)
What happens once I renew my license online?
A confirmation notice is sent via email. The license or registration can be verified on the Board's Verification & Roster page. Certificates will NO LONGER be mailed out.
I am newly licensed. Do I need to renew my license?
Yes. Regardless of when you are licensed during the two-year period, a renewal application and fee is required. The initial license application fee for licensure covers the Board’s time and resources involved in processing a new license. However, a license who has graduated from any CODA accredited programs within two years of the renewal deadline is exempt from sending the continuing education. CPR must be maintained at all times. A newly licensed by credential applicant may utilize CE taken within the previous two years of the renewal deadline, even if the CE was provided during the initial license application process. The renewal fee renews the license for the following 24-month period.
I did not receive the renewal notice, will I be charged the late fee?
Yes, if not renewed by December 31st. Renewal notices are emailed on November 1. The law requires all licensees to notify the Board of any address changes including email address. If you didn't receive a renewal notice by mid-November, call the Board's office immediately.
It wasn't my fault! The office manager did not send my renewal applications and they were postmarked after December 31. Will l incur a late fee?
Yes. The practitioner is responsible for the timely renewal of license.
Is there a “grace” period?
Yes. The grace period consists of the 60 days following December 31. During this time period, although the license can be renewed, practitioners are prohibited from practicing with an expired license. Once the license renewal and fees have been confirmed by the Board, the practitioner may resume practice. A dental assistant may not provide any expanded duties if the registration is not renewed but may continue to provide minimal duties as provided by Administrative Rules.
Dentists and Dental hygienists renew license by December 31 of odd numbered years. Registered dental assistants [RDA/QDA] renew registration by December 31 of even numbered years.
If I did not renew during the 60-day grace period, can I renew the license?
No, you must reapply for ND licensure. The practitioner must re-apply and meet the requirements of licensure to be granted license. The process of re-applying for licensure delays the practice of dentistry further.
What method of payments are accepted?
Acceptable forms of payment for online renewal are VISA, DISCOVER, MASTERCARD credit cards and VISA DEBIT cards. American Express is not accepted. New in 2025, the Board will accept checks as an option for online renewal.
When can I place my license on inactive status?
When the license is due for renewal, download the inactive status application. While on inactive status, the dentist/hygienist may not engage in the practice of dentistry in the state until the dentist applies for reinstatement, pays the fee and meets any other requirement established by Administrative Rules.
2026 Inactive Renewal form for dentists & hygienists
If my license is inactive, can I apply for active license?
Yes, however an application for reinstatement must be reviewed by the Board. If you intend to reinstate your inactive license, plan ahead. The reinstatement application and fee must be submitted to the Board 30 days before the next Board meeting.
If I am retired or my license is on inactive status, do I need to renew each biennial renewal period?
No. Inactive status must be maintained annually. Licensees who have submitted the “inactive status” application receive notice to renew the status annually around mid-October. If the renewal for the inactive status is not received by the Board, the inactive status is cancelled. The annual fee is $40. Continuing education is not required. The licensee may not practice dentistry in North Dakota once the license is placed on inactive status.
When do registered dental assistants renew registration?
An RDA or QDA must renew registration by December 31 of even numbered years.
What are the CE requirements for a dental assistant renewal?
1. Continuing education activities include publications, seminars, symposiums, lectures, college courses, and online education.
2. The continuing dental education hours will accumulate on the basis of one hour of credit for each hour spent in education. Subject matter directly related to clinical dentistry will be accepted by the board without limit.
3. The minimum number of hours required within a two-year cycle is sixteen. Of these hours, a dental assistant may earn no more than eight hours from self-study. Self-study is an educational process designed to permit a participant to learn a given subject without involvement of a proctor. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation courses must provide hands-on training. All other continuing education requirements may be satisfied from online education. LIVE WEBINARS DO NOT COUNT AS SELF-STUDY.
The continuing education must include:
a. Two hours of ethics or jurisprudence. Passing the laws and rules examination is the equivalent of two hours of ethics or jurisprudence.
b. Two hours of infection control.
c. A cardiopulmonary resuscitation course.
d. For registered anesthesia dental assistant permitholders, two hours related to sedation or anesthesia.
e. For registered dental restorative dental assistant permitholders, two hours related to restorative dentistry.
4. Mere registration at a dental convention without specific attendance at continuing education presentations will not be creditable toward the continuing dental education requirement.
5. All dental assistants must hold a current cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certificate.
6. The board may audit the continuing education credits of a dental assistant. Each licensee shall maintain certificates or records of continuing education activities from the previous renewal cycle. Upon receiving notice of an audit from the board, a licensee shall provide satisfactory documentation of attendance at, or participation in the continuing education activities listed on the licensee's continuing education form. Failure to comply with the audit is grounds for nonrenewal of or disciplinary action against the license.
