1.3 Licensure Types, Credentials & Initial Application
Key Takeaways
- Per the PSI Candidate Information Bulletin for the Minnesota Jurisprudence Examination (updated 8/1/2025), the exam is **100 scored items plus 10 non-scored items, 120 minutes, and 80% correct to pass**, the fee is **$85** (nonrefundable, valid one year from the date of payment, and none of it goes to the Board), and the examination is **OPEN BOOK** over Board Administrative Rules 3100.0100–3100.9600 and Board Statutes 150A.01–150A.31.
- Licensure by credentials (reciprocity) requires documented active clinical practice for at least 2,000 hours within the 36 months immediately preceding application, alongside an unblemished multi-state disciplinary record.
- Minnesota Rules 3100.7000, subpart 1 lists 12 special areas of dentistry suitable for announcing a specialty practice; a dentist without a CODA-accredited postdoctoral program in one of them may restrict practice to an area but must not use the words "specialist," "specialty," "specializing," or "limited to," and must state that services are provided by a general dentist.
- The Guest Volunteer License (MN Rules 3100.1380) caps uncompensated practice at no more than ten days in a calendar year; the separate Guest License (MN Rules 3100.1370) is renewed annually, requires a nonprofit public health setting, and carries no day cap.
- All applicants for initial licensure must submit to mandatory fingerprint-based criminal background checks processed through the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) and the FBI pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 214.075.
1.3 Licensure Types, Credentials & Initial Application
The Minnesota Board of Dentistry maintains rigorous licensure and credentialing standards to ensure that all practitioners entering the state's oral health workforce possess verified clinical competency, didactic mastery, and ethical standing. Minnesota Statutes Chapter 150A and Minnesota Rules Chapter 3100 establish multiple distinct pathways to initial licensure, specialty recognition, and limited practice authorizations.
1. Initial Licensure by Examination
The primary pathway for new graduates and first-time applicants seeking licensure in Minnesota is Licensure by Examination. While specific requirements vary slightly across professional categories (DDS, DT, DH, LDA), all candidates must satisfy four core pillars of verification:
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| INITIAL LICENSURE BY EXAMINATION PILLARS |
| |
| [1. ACCREDITED EDUCATION] |
| Graduation from a dental, dental therapy, dental hygiene, or dental |
| assisting program accredited by CODA (Commission on Dental Accreditation) |
| + |
| [2. NATIONAL WRITTEN EXAMINATIONS] |
| - Dentists: Integrated National Board Dental Exam (INBDE / NBDE) |
| - Dental Hygienists: National Board Dental Hygiene Exam (NBDHE) |
| - LDAs: Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) Certification |
| + |
| [3. REGIONAL / NATIONAL CLINICAL EXAMINATION] |
| Passing score on an approved hands-on/patient/manikin clinical exam |
| (e.g., CDCA-WREB-CITA, CRDTS, or Board-recognized equivalent) |
| + |
| [4. STATE JURISPRUDENCE & STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS] |
| - Minnesota Jurisprudence Exam: 100 scored + 10 non-scored items, |
| 120 minutes, 80% CORRECT TO PASS, $85, OPEN BOOK |
| - Current Healthcare Provider CPR / BLS Certification (AHA / ARC) |
| - Fingerprint-based Criminal Background Check (MN Stat. § 214.075) |
| = |
| ISSUANCE OF ACTIVE LICENSE |
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Detailed Licensure Components:
- Accredited Education: Candidates must present an official transcript confirming graduation from an educational program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) or a program recognized by the Board.
- National Board Written Examinations: Verification of successful passage of national standardized cognitive examinations demonstrating theoretical and biomedical competence.
- Clinical Examination Standards: Candidates must pass an objective, standardized clinical examination recognized by the Board (such as the CDCA-WREB-CITA or CRDTS examination). The clinical examination evaluates hands-on restorative, periodontal, or diagnostic performance.
- Minnesota Jurisprudence Examination. The Board contracts with PSI Services LLC to administer the examination, and PSI publishes a Candidate Information Bulletin that is the authoritative source for its specifications. As of the bulletin updated August 1, 2025:
| Specification | Published value |
|---|---|
| Scored items | 100 |
| Non-scored items | 10 (administered in addition; they are not scored and the time taken on them does not count against examination time) |
| Time | 120 minutes, plus an introductory tutorial of up to 15 minutes that does not count against examination time |
| Passing standard | 80% correct — "In order to pass the examinations, you must achieve a minimum score of 80%." |
| Fee | $85, non-refundable and non-transferable, valid for one year from the date of payment. "The Minnesota Board of Dentistry does not receive any of this fee." |
| Format | Computer-administered, at a PSI test center or by remote online proctoring (no breaks are allowed during remote online proctored examinations) |
| Scoring | Score displayed on screen at the end and emailed; a failing report includes a diagnostic report of strengths and weaknesses |
| Open book? | Yes — "This examination is OPEN BOOK." |
One examination for every credential. The bulletin is explicit: "All dental professional applicants (dentists, dental hygienists and dental assistants) who are applying for licensure must take and pass the Minnesota Dental Jurisprudence Examination," and "This examination is used for all applicants for Minnesota licensure. Dental, dental therapy, dental hygiene and dental assisting applicants all take the same examination and should study all of the statutes and rules, not just those applicable to a particular profession." Do not study selectively by credential.
The published content outline. PSI publishes actual item weights — this is a real blueprint, not an inference:
| Subject Area | % of items |
|---|---|
| General Duties | 28% |
| Delegation of Duties | 28% |
| Infection Controls | 26% |
| Record Keeping | 12% |
| Personal Conduct and Ethical Behavior | 6% |
Two observations that should shape your preparation. First, delegation and infection control together are 54% of the examination — more than half. The supervision matrices in MN Rules 3100.8400 through 3100.8700 and the sanitary-conditions rule 3100.6300 deserve proportionate study time. Second, Personal Conduct and Ethical Behavior is only 6% — roughly six items. It is the area candidates over-study because it feels like what a "jurisprudence" exam should be about.
The stated scope and the reference list. Scope: "Tests a candidate's knowledge of all Minnesota statutes and rules related to the practice of dentistry, including the infection control guidelines established by the Centers for Disease Control." References: Board Administrative Rules 3100.0100 – 3100.9600 and Board Statutes 150A.01 – 150A.31. That is the entire corpus — every live rule part and every live statutory section in those two ranges is fair game.
What "open book" does and does not allow. The bulletin restricts how the material may be used: "Candidates may NOT write, highlight, underline, index, or mark the material during the examination session," and "Any additional paper (loose, taped, adhered, stapled, etc.) will NOT be allowed in the examination room." Open book therefore rewards knowing where a rule lives, not carrying an annotated outline. With 100 items in 120 minutes you have roughly 72 seconds per item — enough to verify a citation you already expect, not enough to search a chapter cold.
The five-year rule still governs the credential. Every licensure rule in MN Rules 3100.1100 through 3100.1400 requires "evidence of passing the board's jurisprudence examination within the past five years," and the reinstatement rule 3100.1850 shortens that window to within 12 months for a license terminated more than six months. 5. Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification: Proof of current, valid CPR/BLS certification at the Healthcare Provider level through the American Heart Association (AHA) or American Red Cross (ARC), incorporating in-person hands-on psychomotor skills evaluation.
2. Licensure by Credentials (Endorsement / Reciprocity)
Experienced practitioners licensed in another U.S. jurisdiction or Canadian province may apply for Minnesota licensure through Licensure by Credentials under Minnesota Statutes § 150A.06, subdivision 4 and Minnesota Rules 3100.1400.
Mandatory Criteria for Licensure by Credentials:
- Active Practice Threshold: The applicant must prove that they have been actively engaged in the clinical practice of their profession for at least 2,000 hours within the thirty-six (36) months (3 years) immediately preceding the date of application in Minnesota.
- Equivalency of Initial Standards: Evidence of graduating from a CODA-accredited school of dentistry or dental hygiene, or with a baccalaureate or master's degree from a board-approved or CODA-accredited dental therapy program; evidence of passing a clinical examination for licensure in another U.S. jurisdiction or Canadian province; and evidence of passing all parts of a national board examination.
- Disciplinary Record: MN Rules 3100.1400, subpart 2 states the standard precisely — the applicant "must not be subject to any pending or final disciplinary action in another United States jurisdiction or Canadian province." MN Stat. § 150A.06, subd. 4 adds that an applicant not currently licensed must have previously held a license in good standing that was not subject to any final or pending disciplinary action at the time of surrender.
- Jurisprudence & Background Check: Evidence of passing the Board's jurisprudence examination within the past five years, documentation of current CPR certification, and a criminal background check under MN Stat. § 214.075.
- Fee: MN Stat. § 150A.091, subd. 9 sets the licensure-by-credentials application fee at $893 (dentist), $340 (dental therapist), $235 (dental hygienist), and $71 (dental assistant) — noticeably higher than the ordinary application fee in subd. 2.
- Alternative to the hours requirement: § 150A.06, subd. 4 allows an applicant to satisfy the experience element either by 2,000 hours of active practice within 36 months or by passing a board-approved reentry program within 36 months of the application date.
[!IMPORTANT] The 2,000-Hour / 36-Month Rule: This metric is frequently tested on the Jurisprudence Exam. If a dentist has been licensed in Iowa for 10 years but worked only 1,200 clinical hours over the last 3 years (e.g., due to an extended leave or administrative role), they do not qualify for Licensure by Credentials and must retake an approved clinical examination to obtain a Minnesota license.
3. Specialty Licensure and Specialty Advertising
Two different rules are in play, and candidates routinely merge them.
A. The specialty license — MN Rules 3100.1120
A person seeking licensure as a specialty dentist must provide the Board: a completed application; current government-issued identification; the fee in MN Stat. § 150A.091, subd. 2; evidence of graduating from a school of dentistry; evidence of graduating from a CODA-accredited postdoctoral specialty program; evidence of certification from a board-approved specialty board OR evidence of passing a board-approved clinical examination; evidence of passing all parts of a national board examination; evidence of completing a postdoctoral specialty program or at least 2,000 hours within the past 36 months of active practice in another U.S. jurisdiction, Canadian province, or U.S. government service; evidence of passing the Board's jurisprudence examination within the past five years; documentation of current CPR certification; and a criminal background check under MN Stat. § 214.075.
Note the "or" in the certification requirement. Diplomate status is one of two acceptable routes — a board-approved clinical examination also satisfies it.
B. The 12 announceable specialty areas — MN Rules 3100.7000, subpart 1
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| 12 SPECIAL AREAS SUITABLE FOR ANNOUNCING A SPECIALTY PRACTICE |
| (MN Rules 3100.7000, subp. 1) |
| |
| A. Dental anesthesiology G. Oral medicine |
| B. Dental public health H. Orofacial pain |
| C. Endodontics I. Orthodontics and dentofacial |
| D. Oral and maxillofacial orthopedics |
| pathology J. Pediatric dentistry |
| E. Oral and maxillofacial K. Periodontics |
| radiology L. Prosthodontics |
| F. Oral and maxillofacial surgery |
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The list grew from nine to twelve when dental anesthesiology, oral medicine, and orofacial pain were added. An older Board rule on specialties, 3100.4100, was repealed — do not cite it.
C. Advertising criteria and the restricted-practice rule
- Education criteria (subp. 2): A licensed dentist may advertise as a specialist in an area only with evidence of graduating from a CODA-accredited postdoctoral specialty program in one of the twelve designated areas.
- Restricting practice (subp. 3): A dentist who does not meet those criteria is still free to limit practice to one or more areas of dentistry. But that dentist must not use the terms "specialist," "specialty," "specializing," or "limited to," and the advertising must state that the services are being provided by a general dentist. Memorize those four prohibited words — they are quoted verbatim in exam items.
4. Special & Limited Licensure Types
Minnesota law provides several specialized, limited-scope licenses and permits designed for specific institutional, academic, or humanitarian contexts.
| License / Permit Category | Governing Rule / Statute | Target Population | Authorized Scope & Statutory Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guest License | MN Rules 3100.1370; MN Stat. § 150A.06, Subd. 2c | Dentists, DTs, DHs, or dental assistants licensed and practicing in another U.S. jurisdiction | Requires a CODA-accredited degree, current CPR, a criminal background check, the § 150A.091, subd. 2 fee ($50), and evidence that the clinic where the licensee practices is a nonprofit organization that is a public health setting. Renewed annually at the end of the calendar year; must renew within 30 days of expiration or the Board administratively terminates it. Professional development under 3100.5100 is required. There is no day cap. |
| Guest Volunteer License | MN Rules 3100.1380 | Out-of-state licensees providing care without compensation | Same core documents but no application fee listed and no background check requirement in the rule. The holder must not practice more than ten (10) days in a calendar year. Exempt from professional development. The Board provides a free mini-license for display. This — not the Guest License — is the charitable-event credential. |
| Resident Dentist | MN Rules 3100.1160; MN Stat. § 150A.06, Subd. 1b and § 150A.01, Subd. 8a | Enrolled graduate students or students of a CODA-accredited advanced education program | Practice tied to the accredited postgraduate program. Renewed annually, valid July 1 through June 30 (MN Rules 3100.1750). |
| Resident Dental Therapist / Resident Dental Hygienist | MN Rules 3100.1170 | Enrolled graduate students or students of a board-approved or CODA-accredited advanced dental education program | Requires application, ID, the § 150A.091, subd. 2 fee, evidence of enrollment, jurisprudence examination within the past five years, current CPR, and a § 214.075 background check. Three distinctive terms: the Board shall terminate the license "when the person is no longer an enrolled graduate student or student"; the Board shall not reinstate a terminated resident license; and the resident is not required to meet the professional development requirements of 3100.5100. Renewal follows the annual July 1–June 30 cycle in 3100.1750. |
| Faculty License (full or limited) | MN Rules 3100.1150; MN Stat. § 150A.01, Subd. 6a and § 150A.06, Subd. 1a | Dental educators | Practice tied to the school or residency program. A limited faculty dentist renews annually by June 30 (3100.1750); a full faculty dentist renews biennially like a general dentist. |
| Limited General Dentist | MN Rules 3100.1130 | Graduates of nonaccredited dental programs | Requires a one-time Board credential review for educational equivalency and eligibility to sit a board-approved clinical examination. Practices under the general supervision of a supervising dentist (see MN Rules 3100.3600, subp. 12 for nitrous oxide). |
| Limited Radiology Registration | MN Rules 3100.1320 | Dental assistants who take radiographs only | A registration, not a license. Application fee $27 and biennial renewal not to exceed $24 (MN Stat. § 150A.091, subds. 2 and 5). A limited radiology registrant may not convert to emeritus status (3100.1700, subp. 3, item D). |
| Emeritus Inactive | MN Rules 3100.1340 | Retired licensees in good standing | Not a license to practice. One-time $50 fee (§ 150A.091, subd. 19); not renewable; once issued, the holder cannot seek reinstatement of the prior license. Applicant must not be under a suspension, revocation, disqualification, condition, or restriction. |
| Emeritus Active | MN Rules 3100.1350 | Retired licensees who still want limited practice | Permits pro bono or volunteer practice, paid practice up to 500 hours per calendar year solely to provide licensing supervision, and paid consulting up to 500 hours per calendar year. Renewed biennially on the same cycle; reduced professional development of 25 hours (dentist/DT) or 13 hours (DH/LDA). Fees: dentist $212, DT $100, DH $75, dental assistant $55. |
5. Criminal Background Check Mandate (MN Stat. § 214.075)
Under Minnesota Statutes § 214.075, all initial applicants for any license issued by the Board of Dentistry must complete a fingerprint-based criminal background check before an active license can be issued.
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| STATUTORY BACKGROUND ADJUDICATION PROCESS (§ 214.075) |
| |
| [APPLICANT FILES FORM] ---> Submits initial application & pays fees |
| | |
| v |
| [FINGERPRINT SUBMISSION] -> Electronic fingerprints captured via approved |
| vendor (IdentoGO / LiveScan) |
| | |
| v |
| [DUAL-AGENCY SEARCH] -----> 1. MN Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) |
| 2. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) |
| | |
| v |
| [BOARD ADJUDICATION] -----> Criminal history reviewed under MN Stat. |
| Chapter 364 (Rehabilitation of Offenders) |
| | |
| +--------------------------+--------------------------+ |
| | (Clean / Rehabilitated) | (Disqualifying|
| v v Conviction) |
| [LICENSE ISSUED] [LICENSE DENIED] |
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Key Procedural Points:
- Dual Search: The check encompasses both state records through the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) and nationwide federal records through the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
- Applicant Expense: The applicant is legally responsible for paying the background check processing fee directly to the vendor/Board.
- Minnesota Criminal Rehabilitation Act (MN Stat. Ch. 364): A past criminal conviction does not automatically disqualify an applicant from licensure unless the conviction directly relates to the occupation of dental care (e.g., prescription drug fraud, sexual assault, patient abuse, felony theft) and the applicant cannot show sufficient evidence of rehabilitation.
A dentist licensed in Wisconsin for eight years applies for Minnesota Licensure by Credentials. To satisfy the clinical practice requirement under Minnesota Statutes § 150A.06, how many active clinical practice hours must the applicant document?
An out-of-state licensed dental hygienist wishes to provide voluntary, non-compensated preventive dental services at a charitable clinic run by a Minnesota nonprofit. Which credential fits, and what day limit applies?
Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 214.075, what procedural requirement must all initial applicants for licensure complete before the Minnesota Board of Dentistry can issue an active license?
Dr. Nguyen is a Minnesota general dentist who has taken extensive continuing education in orthodontics but has never completed a CODA-accredited postdoctoral orthodontic program. She wants to market her practice as focused on orthodontics. Under Minnesota Rules 3100.7000, what may she lawfully do?