North Carolina Dental License Renewal
Updated August 2026
Fees, deadlines, and what's required to renew a dental license in North Carolina.
The Board publishes its fee schedule at ncdentalboard.org/fees.htm. Unlike many states, North Carolina dental and dental hygiene licenses renew annually, not on a multi-year cycle.
| Fee type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Dental license (by examination) | $395.00 |
| Dental licensure by credentials | $2,000.00 |
| Dental licensure by military endorsement/spouse | $0.00 |
| Dental hygiene license processing fee (by examination) | $75.00 |
| Dental hygiene licensure by credentials | $750.00 |
| Dental hygiene licensure by military endorsement/spouse | $0.00 |
| Dental provisional license | $100.00 |
| Dental hygiene provisional license | $60.00 |
| Dental intern permit | $150.00 |
| Instructor's license | $140.00 |
| Volunteer license | $100.00 |
| Dental license renewal (2026) | $329.00 |
| Dental hygiene license renewal (2026) | $106.00 |
| Instructor's license renewal | $180.00 |
| Volunteer license renewal | $25.00 |
| Anesthesia application fee (incl. evaluation) | $475.00 |
| Sedation application fee (incl. evaluation) | $375.00 |
| Anesthesia/sedation permit renewal | $100.00 |
| Anesthesia/sedation site inspection | $275.00 |
| Late renewal penalty (any license/permit) | $50.00 |
| Dental reinstatement (voided license) | $554.00 |
| Dental hygiene reinstatement | $166.00 |
| PA/PLLC registration | $50.00 |
| PA/PLLC renewal | $25.00 |
| PA/PLLC penalty | $10.00 |
| Duplicates | $25.00 |
| Certificate of licensure with raised seal | $25.00 |
Renewal deadlines and penalties
All licensed dentists and dental hygienists must renew annually. State law requires renewal with payment by January 1 each year, but the Board does not assess a penalty until after January 31. Online renewal opens November 1 and closes March 31 each year. After January 31, a $50.00 late penalty applies and cannot be waived by the Board. Any license not renewed by March 31 becomes void, and the Board treats continuing to practice on a void license as a Class I misdemeanor, with each day of violation a separate offense. A voided license must go through reinstatement: $225.00 plus the current year's renewal fee for dentists ($554.00 total), or $60.00 plus the current year's renewal fee for hygienists ($166.00 total). Anesthesia and sedation permits follow the same annual cycle, late-fee, and reinstatement structure.
Anesthesia and sedation permit applicants pay a $100.00 application fee plus an up-front evaluation fee of $375.00 (anesthesia) or $275.00 (sedation) — shown on the fee schedule as the combined $475.00 and $375.00 application-fee line items above.
Helpful Resources
North Carolina Board of Dentistry
Board contact information, licensing requirements, and complaint procedures.
Learn more →North Carolina Dental Society
Membership, contact details, and how the state dental association supports licensed dentists.
Learn more →License Requirements
See the exams, education, and application steps required to become a licensed dentist or dental hygienist in every state.
Learn more →CE Requirements
See how many continuing education hours are required to renew your license in each state, and which courses qualify.
Learn more →How to Verify a License
Verify a dentist's or hygienist's license status using each state board's official lookup tool.
Learn more →How to File a Complaint
Step-by-step guidance on filing a complaint against a dentist or hygienist with your state dental board.
Learn more →Disciplinary Actions
How state dental boards investigate and discipline dentists, and how to check a practitioner's public record.
Learn more →Dental Specialties
The 12 recognized dental specialties explained, from orthodontics to oral surgery, and how specialty licensing works.
Learn more →This page is your North Carolina renewal starting point
Fees and deadlines above cover what it takes to renew, but continuing education specifics and complaint procedures live on the board's main page. Before you renew, verify your license status is current and in good standing using the tool above.