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Initial Applications - Dentists

License by Examination

License by examination laws include NDCC 43-28-10.1, NDAC 20-02-01-03.1, and NDAC 20-02-01-03.3. Applicants are encouraged to fully review those laws. In summary, however, an applicant who has passed a Board-approved clinical competency exam that includes a hand skills assessment and passes the examination administered by the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations or the National Dental Examining Board of Canada within five years of application may apply for a license to practice pursuant to the following requirements:

• Has a DDS or DMD diploma from a dental program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association.
• A completed notarized application and the application fee must be submitted to the Board. In lieu of applications being notarized, the Board accepts current identification documents issued within the last five years. Acceptable ID means a valid driver's license, U.S. passport, or identification card issued by any branch of the armed forces of the United States. Attach a copy of the identification to your application.
• Background check results from recognized data sources, health care institutions, licensing agencies, and national and state law enforcement agencies.
• Completion of Criminal History Record Check process. You may send the completed forms with your initial submission of your application or at a later date. Contact the Board office if you need the fingerprint cards and forms mailed to you.
• Evidence the applicant has the physical health and visual acuity to enable the applicant to meet the minimal standards of competency.
• Evidence of successfully completing a Board approved cardiopulmonary resuscitation course with two years of application.
• Verification of good standing from each state where the applicant holds or has ever held a professional license.
• Grounds for dental of the application under section 43-28-18 do not exist.
• The applicant has passed the online Jurisprudence examination on ND laws and rules governing the practice of dentistry.
• The Board may require an interview.
• Proof of identity including any name change documentation.
• License by Examination Application Packet
• To expedite your application, you may send it to the Board's street address: 
  NDSBDE Office
  2900 E Broadway Ave Ste 3
  Bismarck, ND 58501

License by Credential Review

 License by Credential Requirements:

• DDS or DMD diploma from a dental program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association, or its equivalent. Determinations of equivalency are made by the Board, and are based on it’s review of the application and on an independent assessment carried out by a Board-approved assessment or accreditation institution. The applicant must bear all costs associated with their equivalency assessment. The Board may require the applicant to complete additional steps, including completion of additional education, passage of a national written examination, and passage of a clinical competency examination (which includes a hand skills assessment) approved by the board.
• Evidence of current CPR or BLS certification.
• The applicant has physical health and visual acuity to enable the applicant to meet the minimum standards of professional competence. 
• Requirements of 32 hours of continuing education as required by ND Administrative Rule § 20-02-01-06 within 24 months prior to the date the application.
• Applicants may be required to appear at a formal meeting of the Board for an interview.
• Successfully complete the online ND Jurisprudence Examination. 
• Completion of Criminal History Record Check process. You may send the completed forms with the application or after the application is received. Processing this information may take up to 14 business days. Contact the Board office if you need the fingerprint cards and forms mailed to you.

License by Credential Application Packet

• To expedite your application, you may send it to the Board's street address: 
  NDSBDE Office
  2900 E Broadway Ave Ste 3
  Bismarck, ND 58501

Board-Approved Clinical Exams  

Application Fees and Fee Nonrefundability 

All fees are nonrefundable even if the applicant is subsequently denied or fails to complete the application. The Board will not discuss or give information regarding the application with anyone other than the applicant. You may periodically review your documents received by the Board.  

Criminal History Record Check

You may send the completed forms to complete the Criminal History Record Check process with the application or after the application is received. Processing this information may take up to 14 business days. Contact the Board office if you need the fingerprint cards and forms mailed to you. Return the fingerprint forms to the NDBDE. Submit the completed form and both fingerprint cards to the NDBDE with your check or money order  payable to the ND Attorney General. The forms may be completed by local law enforcement or fingerprinting service center which may take digital prints. Results must be received by the board prior to the issuance of a license to practice. Check with local law enforcement for scheduling.

If you have a conviction, or any other incident to report as required by application,  send with the application supporting documentation and/or certified copies of all court documents related to the matter discussed in the petition. Documentation includes, as applicable, a copy of any assessment or evaluation and recommendations for treatment, criminal charges, reported offenses, police reports, judgments, dispositions of criminal complaint, dispositions of offenses, final dispositions, court orders, actions pending, and deferred judgments. Not doing so may delay the licensing process.