2.1 Dentist Licensure by Examination: Education, National and Clinical Exams, Background Check
Key Takeaways
- A New Hampshire dentist applicant must hold a DDS or DMD from a CODA-accredited general dentistry program, be of good professional character, and be at least 18 years old (RSA 317-A:8, I; Den 301.02(g)).
- Dentist applicants must pass the Joint Commission national board examination and the ADEX or an equivalent clinical exam, including a periodontal scaling component or manikin exam, within 3 years before applying (Den 301.02(d); Den 302.04(a)).
- At least 3 Statement of Professional Character forms are required, completed by at least 2 licensed dentists if the applicant has prior dental employment, and signed within 4 months of submission (Den 301.02(c)(1)).
- RSA 317-A:8-a requires a state and FBI fingerprint-based criminal history check for every initial or reinstatement applicant, at the applicant's cost.
- A new licensee holding a DEA number must register with the New Hampshire PDMP within 90 days of initial licensure, or the failure is professional misconduct (Den 301.02(k)).
Dentist Licensure by Examination
Licensure by examination (Den 101.21) means a license granted because the applicant meets Den 300 and has passed the American Board of Dental Examiners (ADEX) exam or a similar national or regional testing agency exam. The alternative, licensure by endorsement certification, is covered in section 2.2.
Statutory requirements — RSA 317-A:8 and 317-A:9
- Applications go to OPLC, in writing or online, with the fee set in OPLC rules (RSA 317-A:8, I).
- The applicant must prove graduation from a school recognized by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) with a D.D.S. or D.M.D.
- The applicant must be of good professional character and 18 years of age or older.
- Every applicant, including one converting from inactive to active status, must supply information on dental competence and professional conduct (RSA 317-A:8, II).
- No application may be granted unless OPLC finds the applicant has the necessary educational, character, and other professional qualifications (RSA 317-A:8, V).
- RSA 317-A:9: applicants must pass an examination determined by the Board or a national or regional test the Board approves. The exam may be oral, clinical, written, or a combination. No license is granted to an applicant who fails.
- Den 303.01: every dentist applicant is also examined on RSA 317-A and its rules, which is the jurisprudence exam (section 1.1).
The application package — Den 301.02
Applicants file OPLC's Universal Application for Initial Licensure (Plc 304.01(a)(1)) plus a Dentist Addendum disclosing:
- any other names used;
- whether the applicant passed the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations (JCNDE) exam and the ADEX exam, or an equivalent U.S. regional or state clinical exam that includes a clinical periodontal scaling component or the manikin examination;
- whether any DEA registration has ever been revoked, suspended, denied, restricted, or otherwise sanctioned, or is under investigation.
Along with the application, the applicant submits:
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Character references | At least 3 Statement of Professional Character forms, completed by at least 2 licensed dentists in good standing if the applicant has previous dental employment, each signed within 4 months of submission |
| Graduation proof | Signed certification of graduation, or a certification of completion if the degree will be conferred within 3 months |
| Identity | Birth certificate, passport, or driver's license or other state ID (translated to English if needed) |
| Life support | Proof of current BLS for Healthcare Providers (BLS-HCP), if applicable |
| Criminal record check | Per Plc 304.01(b) |
| Transcript | Official dental school transcript and any specialty certificate. An unofficial transcript plus a diploma bearing the school seal may be used until the official transcript is ready |
| Exam results | Original JCNDE and ADEX (or equivalent) grade cards |
| Other-state verification | A certified statement from every state board where the applicant was licensed, covering past or pending discipline, stayed probation, and investigations |
| Fee | As required by Plc 1002.11 |
Clinical examination currency — the 3-year window
- Den 301.02(d): the applicant must have passed the regional board exam, and the CDCA or equivalent agency must send verification directly to OPLC showing the clinical or manikin exam, including periodontal scaling, was passed within the 3 years immediately before the application.
- Den 302.04(a): the ADEX or similar exam must be completed within the 3-year period before the licensing process is completed. The window does not apply to endorsement applicants.
- OPLC's dental licensing page also notes that all applicants for licensure by examination must pass the written portion of the ADEX.
Education standard — Den 301.02(f)–(g)
The applicant must graduate from a general dentistry program that lasts at least 2 academic years, is CODA-accredited, and awards the DMD or DDS. The education requirements of RSA 317-A:8 apply to every applicant.
Criminal history record check — RSA 317-A:8-a
Every applicant for initial permanent licensure or reinstatement:
- submits a New Hampshire Division of State Police criminal history record release form;
- submits a full set of fingerprints taken by a qualified law enforcement agency or an authorized Department of Safety or OPLC employee. If two sets are rejected for insufficient pattern, OPLC may accept police clearances from every city, town, or county where the applicant lived during the past 5 years;
- has the check run through state police records and the FBI.
OPLC must review the results before deciding and keep them confidential. The applicant pays for the check.
After passing the jurisprudence exam — Den 301.02(h)–(k)
Once OPLC approves the application materials, the applicant takes the jurisprudence exam. With a score of 75% or higher, OPLC issues an active license. Then:
- An applicant who has a DEA number to prescribe Schedule II–IV controlled substances must register with the New Hampshire Controlled Drug Prescription Health and Safety Program (PDMP) under RSA 126-A:91 and give the DEA number to OPLC.
- Failing to register within 90 days of initial licensure is professional misconduct under RSA 317-A:17, II.
- No licensee may prescribe or dispense Schedule II–IV controlled substances without PDMP registration.
Two dentist qualifications that apply after licensure — Den 302.04
- Botulinum toxin and dermal fillers (Den 302.04(d)): a dentist must submit documentation to the Board of at least 8 hours of hands-on training before performing these procedures.
- Specialty announcements (Den 302.04(b)–(c)): covered in section 8.3.
A dentist passed the ADEX clinical examination four years before applying for New Hampshire licensure by examination and has never practiced. Which rule is the obstacle?
A new graduate who worked as a dental assistant before dental school is assembling character references for a New Hampshire dental license. What does Den 301.02(c)(1) require?
A dentist holding a DEA registration receives an initial New Hampshire license on March 1 and has not registered with the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program by June 15. What is the consequence under Den 301.02(k)?