New York Board of Dentistry

Dental licensing in New York State

Dental licensure in New York follows a path quite different from most US states. Rather than a freestanding dental board, licensure is administered by the Office of the Professions (OP), a unit of the New York State Education Department. The Board of Regents — which licenses individuals in more than 50 professions defined in Education Law — holds final authority over dental licensure and disciplinary matters in New York State.

Within this structure, the New York State Board for Dentistry is an advisory body to the Board of Regents and the OP. It does not independently issue licenses; the OP processes all applications, evaluates credentials, and administers the licensure system. The Board of Regents takes final action on disciplinary cases, while the OP investigates and prosecutes professional misconduct for all licensed professions except medicine.

The statutory basis for dental licensure in New York is Title 8, Article 133, Section 6604 of the New York State Education Law, along with Part 61 of the Commissioner's Regulations. The OP's dentistry pages at op.nysed.gov are the authoritative source for all application, renewal, and misconduct information.

Three practitioner categories fall under OP jurisdiction for dental professions: dentists, dental hygienists, and registered dental assistants. Each has its own licensure pathway documented on the OP website.

New York dental license types

New York's Office of the Professions licenses three dental practitioner categories under the Education Law:

• Dentist — the standard full practice license for qualified graduates who have met New York's education, examination, experience, and character requirements.
• Dental hygienist — a distinct license for preventive and clinical hygiene procedures; separate application pathway from the dentist license.
• Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) — New York's licensed dental assistant credential, also administered by the Office of the Professions.

In addition to the standard dentist license, the OP issues two supplemental credentials:

• Limited permit — issued to dental college graduates who have satisfied New York's education requirements but have not yet completed all steps for full licensure. A limited permit holder may practice dentistry only under the supervision of a New York State licensed dentist who must be present on the premises at all times during professional services.
• Dental anesthesia/sedation certificate — required for dentists who employ general anesthesia, deep sedation, or conscious sedation (parenteral or enteral route, with or without inhalation agents). This certificate is issued by the State Education Department and is separate from the base dental license.

Applying for a New York dental license

Dental licensure applications in New York are submitted to the Office of the Professions at the State Education Department. Applicants file Form 1 (Application for Licensure) along with supporting documentation and the applicable fee. Applicants who apply electronically must pay by credit card; paper applications use personal check or money order payable to the New York State Education Department.

Requirements for initial licensure

To be licensed as a dentist in New York State, applicants must:

• Be of good moral character and at least 21 years of age
• Complete at least 60 semester hours of preprofessional education, including courses in general chemistry, organic chemistry, biology or zoology, and physics
• Complete at least four academic years of professional dental education at an accredited or OP-registered program (or equivalent foreign dental degree)
• Pass both Parts I and II of the National Board Dental Examination (scores verified directly from the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations)
• Complete an approved dental residency program of at least one year's duration — required for all initial licensure applicants since January 1, 2007; clinical practical examinations are not accepted for initial licensure
• Complete coursework in the identification and reporting of child abuse from a New York State approved provider
• Complete approved coursework in infection control and barrier precautions, including HIV and hepatitis B virus prevention

Fees

The fee for initial dental licensure and first registration is $377. The fee for a limited permit is $105 (non-refundable). These figures are from the OP's published requirements and are subject to change; the fee due is the one in law when your application is received. Confirm current amounts at op.nysed.gov before applying. Do not send cash.

Licensure by endorsement

Dentists licensed in another US jurisdiction or Canadian province may apply for a New York license by endorsement. Requirements include: meeting New York's education standards, lawful practice for at least two years (full-time) following initial licensure with at least eight months in the two years preceding application, passing an examination satisfactory to the board, being at least 21 years of age, good moral character, and completing the child abuse identification training.

Endorsement applicants who have not completed an approved one-year dental residency program are also required to have been endorsed on the basis of their out-of-state licensure. All endorsement applicants must submit Form 1, a $377 licensure fee, Certification of Professional Education (Form 2), Verification of Other Licensure (Form 3), Personal Affidavit of Professional Practice (Form 4), and Supporting Affidavit (Form 4A).

Fees and license renewal

The New York State Office of the Professions sets fees for dental licensure through the Education Law framework. Fees are subject to change, and the fee due is the one in law when the application is received (with retroactive increases billed separately if they have occurred). Cash payments are not accepted.

The initial dental licensure and first registration fee is $377. The limited permit fee is $105 and is not refundable. Both figures are from the OP's published requirements; confirm current amounts at op.nysed.gov before applying as fees are subject to change.

Dental license renewal in New York is administered by the OP. Renewal requirements — including the renewal cycle length, renewal fees, and any CE obligations required for renewal — are documented on the OP's dentistry pages.

Continuing education requirements

Continuing education is required for license renewal in New York's licensed dental professions. The Office of the Professions sets CE requirements as part of the renewal registration process under the Education Law framework. CE content for dental licensees typically covers clinical practice, infection control, and ethics, though New York's specific required subjects and hour counts vary by license type and registration cycle.

The New York State Dental Association offers a CE Navigator tool as a member benefit to help dentists track continuing education progress and find qualifying courses. ADA CERP and AGD PACE accreditations are widely recognized CE provider standards, though New York's specific accepted provider requirements should be confirmed with the OP.

Scope of practice in New York

Scope of practice for dental professionals in New York is defined by the Education Law, the Commissioner's Regulations, and the policies of the Office of the Professions. New York licenses three dental practitioner categories — dentists, dental hygienists, and registered dental assistants — each with a distinct scope of permitted services.

Key scope distinctions from source

• Limited permit holders — may practice dentistry only under the direct supervision of a New York State licensed dentist. The supervising dentist must be present on the premises at all times when professional services are rendered under a limited permit.
• Dental anesthesia/sedation — dentists who employ general anesthesia, deep sedation, or conscious sedation (parenteral or enteral route, with or without inhalation agents) must obtain a separate dental anesthesia/sedation certificate from the State Education Department in addition to their dental license.

Filing a complaint in New York

Professional misconduct complaints against dental professionals in New York are handled by the Office of the Professions, which investigates and prosecutes misconduct for all licensed professions in the state except medicine. The Board of Regents is responsible for the final disposition of all disciplinary matters, including the most serious cases where license revocation may be warranted.

Filing a complaint

Complaints must be submitted in writing — they cannot be filed by phone. Contact the OP to request a complaint form or access it at op.nysed.gov:

• Phone — 1-800-442-8106 (to request a form or get information)
• Email — conduct@nysed.gov
• Form — available at op.nysed.gov/enforcement

What constitutes professional misconduct

New York's Education Law defines professional misconduct to include, among other things:

• Gross incompetence or gross negligence on a single occasion, or repeated negligence
• Permitting or aiding an unlicensed person to perform activities requiring a license
• Practicing beyond the scope of the profession
• Releasing confidential information without authorization
• Being convicted of a crime
• Abandoning or neglecting a patient in need of immediate care
• Performing unnecessary or unauthorized services
• Practicing under the influence of alcohol or other drugs

Penalties and disposition

Penalties that may be imposed include censure and reprimand, fines of up to $10,000 per violation, suspensions, probationary terms, and — in severe cases — license revocation. The Board of Regents takes final action on the most serious misconduct cases.

The OP's Professional Assistance Program offers an alternative path for licensees who abuse alcohol or other drugs, allowing voluntary and confidential license surrender while completing treatment — available to licensees who have not harmed clients. Successful completion may serve as an alternative to disciplinary action.

Practicing dentistry in New York without a license and current registration is a felony.

New York State Dental Association

The New York State Dental Association (NYSDA) is the statewide professional membership organization for New York dentists and a constituent society of the American Dental Association. NYSDA has approximately 11,000 members in New York State organized through 13 local dental societies, and is part of organized dentistry's tripartite structure connecting local, state, and national membership.

Member benefits

• CE Navigator — a member benefit tool to help dentists track their continuing education progress and find qualifying courses for New York renewal requirements.
• Member Assistance Program (MAP) — a free, confidential benefit available to NYSDA members and their household members and office staff, offering short-term counseling and resources for mental health, stress management, financial wellness, and life coaching.
• Advocacy — NYSDA represents member interests before New York State legislative and regulatory bodies, including on issues such as CBCT accreditation requirements, insurance reimbursement, and tax policy affecting dental practices.

NYSDA membership connects practitioners to their local dental society, to statewide resources, and to the ADA's 163,000-member national organization. Members can join or renew simultaneously with the ADA, NYSDA, and their local dental society.

Disciplinary records in New York

Disciplinary records for New York dental professionals are publicly accessible through the Office of the Professions' online verification system. The OP maintains these records as part of its transparency and public protection mandate.

How to look up disciplinary history

Use the OP's Online Verification Search (available through op.nysed.gov) to look up a licensed New York dental professional. Within an individual's search results, an "Enforcement Actions" tab displays summaries of any final disciplinary actions taken by the Board of Regents. The OP's enforcement section also allows searching for disciplinary actions by year, month, and profession — useful for reviewing the overall disciplinary record across New York dental licensees over time.

Because the Board of Regents takes final action on all disciplinary matters, the Online Verification Search reflects final Regents dispositions rather than pending or preliminary findings. Cases closed without a finding of misconduct do not appear in public enforcement records.

Other state dental boards