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Initial Licensing & Permitting

General Information | All Applicants

• The North Dakota Board of Dental Examiners grants licensure to qualified dental or dental hygiene applicants and registers two levels of dental assistants; RDA  (registered dental assistant) or QDA (qualified dental assistant).
• The Board regularly holds quarterly meetings at which time license applications are reviewed. Applications must be submitted to the Executive Director 30 days prior to a meeting of the Board.
• Initial license by credential or examination dental and dental hygiene applicants must submit to a ND background check. Applicants by credential must also obtain a Level II Background Check from Professional Background Information Services (PBIS).  
• A dental assistant must be registered with the Board to provide expanded duties.
• The Board does not issue specialty licenses. 
• All dental and dental hygiene applicants must undergo a criminal background check.
• The Board office will not discuss an application with anyone other than the applicant. Applicants may contact the Board office regarding the status of an application.
• You may check your application status to find out what documents the Board has received and what documents are missing before your license/registration will be issued. The Board office updates the status as documents are received in the Board office. 
• Incomplete applications or applications submitted without the application fee will be returned. All fees are NON-REFUNDABLE.

A permit is required for the following:

• Administer general anesthesia, deep sedation (DDS)
• Administer moderate parenteral or enteral sedation (DDS)
• Administer minimal sedation (DDS)
• Administer dermal fillers or botulinum toxin (DDS)
• Administer local anesthesia (RDH) This permit requires no renewal.
• Provide restorative functions (RDH or RDA)
• Provide anesthesia assistant functions (RDH or RDA)

 

• Nitrous Oxide Inhalation Therapy: Upon application for license, proof of nitrous education is required to administer nitrous oxide inhalation therapy; a permit is not required. Dental hygienists and dental assistants are not authorized to administer nitrous oxide inhalation therapy.
• Dentists, dental hygienists, qualified and registered dental assistants are required to maintain current CPR. Online courses are not accepted.
• All applicants are required to successfully complete the ND Ethics and Jurisprudence Examination.