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Arizona Dentist — Requirements & Free Practice

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Dental License (Dentist)

Licence to practice dentistry in Arizona issued by the State Board of Dental Examiners under A.R.S. Title 32, Chapter 11, Article 2.

Licensing authority: Arizona State Board of Dental Examiners · Application information

Licensure by credential (A.R.S. § 32 1240; A.A.C. R4 11 201, R4 11 202)
Application Documents
A.A.C. R4-11-301(A) requires a sworn statement of qualifications, a photograph no more than 6 months old, an official sealed transcript sent directly to the Board, a current healthcare provider level CPR certificate, licence verifications sent directly from every other jurisdiction of licensure, a National Practitioner Data Bank self-query no more than 30 days old if licensed elsewhere, a commanding officer or supervisor letter for military or federal applicants, and the jurisprudence examination fee.
Citizenship
The Board's Statement of Citizenship form, with supporting evidence of lawful presence, is required of every applicant (Applications and Forms page).
Clinical Examination
Have passed the clinical examination of another state or testing agency more than five years before applying, where that state or agency maintains a substantially equivalent standard of licensure (A.R.S. § 32-1240(A)); certified documentation with name, examination date and passing score must be sent directly from the state or testing agency (A.A.C. R4-11-201(A)). No official Arizona source identifies which examinations meet this requirement.
Continuing Education
Affidavit of compliance with the continuing dental education requirement of the state of current licensure (A.A.C. R4-11-202(B)(3)).
Current Licence
Have a current dental license in another state, territory or district of the United States (A.A.C. R4-11-202(B)(1)).
Denial Grounds
The Board may deny an application on the grounds in A.R.S. § 32-1232(C) and must suspend an application while the applicant is under investigation by a dental regulatory board in another jurisdiction (A.R.S. § 32-1232(D)).
Dental Degree
Hold a diploma conferring a degree of doctor of dental medicine or doctor of dental surgery from a recognized dental school (A.R.S. § 32-1232(A)).
Fee
Licensure by credential fee of not more than $2,000 (A.R.S. § 32-1240(B)), reduced by 50% for applicants working in underserved areas or facilities who commit to a three-year exclusive service period with annual employment verification (A.A.C. R4-11-202(D)-(F)).
Fingerprint Clearance Card
A valid fingerprint clearance card issued pursuant to A.R.S. § 41-1758.03 (A.R.S. § 32-1232(B)).
Jurisprudence Result
The Board's Jurisprudence Portal states that results of the Jurisprudence Examination are valid for one year from the date the examination is completed, and that the testing fee is $35.00; the Board requires a copy of the certificate of completion with the application.
National Board Result
A.R.S. § 32-1233(1) requires having passed the written national dental board examinations; the Board's Initial Application Instructions link the National Board Examination to the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations (jcnde.ada.org), whose currently offered written examination is the INBDE. An applicant who passed a written national dental board examination that is no longer offered presents that passing result; the official scorecard must be sent to the Board directly from the National Board examination (A.A.C. R4-11-301(A)(5)).
Practice Hours
Affidavit of at least 5000 hours of dental practice during the five years immediately before applying; dental educator experience at a CODA-accredited or USDE-recognized program and public health employment count (A.A.C. R4-11-202(B)(2)).
Provisional Licence
Under A.R.S. § 32-4701 a licensing authority may issue an otherwise qualified applicant who has been convicted of an offense either the regular licence or a provisional licence valid for not more than one year, subject to the exclusions in § 32-4701(K).
Licensure by examination (A.R.S. §§ 32 1232, 32 1233; A.A.C. R4 11 301)
Application Documents
A.A.C. R4-11-301(A) requires a sworn statement of qualifications, a photograph no more than 6 months old, an official sealed transcript sent directly to the Board, a current healthcare provider level CPR certificate, licence verifications sent directly from every other jurisdiction of licensure, a National Practitioner Data Bank self-query no more than 30 days old if licensed elsewhere, a commanding officer or supervisor letter for military or federal applicants, and the jurisprudence examination fee.
Citizenship
The Board's Statement of Citizenship form, with supporting evidence of lawful presence, is required of every applicant (Applications and Forms page).
Clinical Examination
Have passed, within five years preceding filing the application, a clinical examination administered by a state or regional testing agency in the United States (A.R.S. § 32-1233(2)); the certificate or scorecard must be sent to the Board directly from the testing agency (A.A.C. R4-11-301(A)(4)(a)). No official Arizona source identifies which examinations meet this requirement.
Denial Grounds
The Board may deny an application on the grounds in A.R.S. § 32-1232(C) and must suspend an application while the applicant is under investigation by a dental regulatory board in another jurisdiction (A.R.S. § 32-1232(D)).
Dental Degree
Hold a diploma conferring a degree of doctor of dental medicine or doctor of dental surgery from a recognized dental school (A.R.S. § 32-1232(A)).
Fingerprint Clearance Card
A valid fingerprint clearance card issued pursuant to A.R.S. § 41-1758.03 (A.R.S. § 32-1232(B)).
Jurisprudence Result
The Board's Jurisprudence Portal states that results of the Jurisprudence Examination are valid for one year from the date the examination is completed, and that the testing fee is $35.00; the Board requires a copy of the certificate of completion with the application.
Military Training
Education, training or experience requirements may be completely or partially satisfied by substantially equivalent military education, training or experience, as determined by the Board (A.R.S. § 32-4303).
National Board Result
A.R.S. § 32-1233(1) requires having passed the written national dental board examinations; the Board's Initial Application Instructions link the National Board Examination to the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations (jcnde.ada.org), whose currently offered written examination is the INBDE. An applicant who passed a written national dental board examination that is no longer offered presents that passing result; the official scorecard must be sent to the Board directly from the National Board examination (A.A.C. R4-11-301(A)(5)).
Provisional Licence
Under A.R.S. § 32-4701 a licensing authority may issue an otherwise qualified applicant who has been convicted of an offense either the regular licence or a provisional licence valid for not more than one year, subject to the exclusions in § 32-4701(K).
Reinstatement of an expired licence within twenty four months (A.R.S. § 32 1236(D))
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Timing
Submit a complete renewal application within the twenty-four-month period immediately following expiration, with the renewal fee and a $100 penalty; after that period the person must reapply for licensure (A.R.S. § 32-1236(D)).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-12.

Licensure of a spouse of an active duty service member accompanying a permanent change of station to Arizona (A.R.S. § 32 4302(A))
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board Jurisprudence Statement
A.R.S. § 32-4302(A) issues this licence "without an examination" and § 32-4302(C) excepts subsection A from the authority to require a state-law examination. The Board's Applications and Forms page nevertheless states: "As part of your initial application, all applicants will be required to submit a copy of his/her certificate of completion of the Board’s jurisprudence examination."
Citizenship
The Board's Statement of Citizenship form, with supporting evidence of lawful presence, is required of every applicant (Applications and Forms page).
Discipline History
No licence revoked or surrendered while under investigation, no unresolved discipline by another regulating entity, and no pending complaint, allegation or investigation relating to unprofessional conduct (A.R.S. § 32-4302(A)(5)-(7)).
Education Verified
The other state had minimum education and, if applicable, work experience and clinical supervision requirements when it licensed the applicant and verifies that the applicant met them (A.R.S. § 32-4302(A)(3)).
Fees And Criminal History
Pays all applicable fees (the Board's FAQ states the dentist fee is the $2,000 licensure by credential fee) and has no disqualifying criminal history under A.R.S. § 41-1093.04 (A.R.S. § 32-4302(A)(8)-(9)).
Fingerprint Clearance Card
A valid fingerprint clearance card issued pursuant to A.R.S. § 41-1758.03 (A.R.S. § 32-1232(B)).
Military Spouse
Married to an active duty member of the United States armed forces and accompanying the member to an official permanent change of station to a military installation in Arizona (A.R.S. § 32-4302(A)).
Other State Licence
Currently licensed in at least one other state in the discipline applied for and at the same practice level, in good standing in every state of licensure, and licensed by another state for at least one year (A.R.S. § 32-4302(A)(1)-(2)).
Prior Examination
The applicant previously passed an examination required for the licence by the other state, if that state required one (A.R.S. § 32-4302(A)(4)); this is prior evidence, not an Arizona examination.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-12.

New licence after suspension, revocation or surrender (A.R.S. § 32 1235)
Initial Requirements
Comply with all initial licensing requirements of A.R.S. Title 32, Chapter 11 (A.R.S. § 32-1235(D)), including the dental degree and the clinical examination described for licensure by examination or by credential; no official Arizona source identifies which clinical examinations meet that requirement.
Jurisprudence Result
The Board's Jurisprudence Portal states that results of the Jurisprudence Examination are valid for one year from the date the examination is completed, and that the testing fee is $35.00; the Board requires a copy of the certificate of completion with the application.
National Board Result
A.R.S. § 32-1233(1) requires having passed the written national dental board examinations; the Board's Initial Application Instructions link the National Board Examination to the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations (jcnde.ada.org), whose currently offered written examination is the INBDE. An applicant who passed a written national dental board examination that is no longer offered presents that passing result; the official scorecard must be sent to the Board directly from the National Board examination (A.A.C. R4-11-301(A)(5)).
Rehabilitation
Demonstrate complete rehabilitation with respect to the conduct that was the basis for the suspension, revocation or surrender, including no conduct warranting revocation during that period, full restoration of civil rights after a criminal conviction and restitution ordered by a court (A.R.S. § 32-1235(A)).
Waiting Period
No application less than five years after the suspension, revocation or surrender, except after reversal on appeal of a felony or moral turpitude conviction (A.R.S. § 32-1235(B)-(C)).
Triennial licence renewal (A.R.S. § 32 1236(A) (C))
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing Education
Affidavit of compliance with the Board's continuing education rules, or a written extension request received by the renewal deadline; not required for a licence first issued within the preceding year or in disabled status (A.R.S. § 32-1236(B)).
Military Extension
Licences of national guard, reserve and regular armed forces members on federal active duty are extended as provided in A.R.S. § 32-4301.
Renewal Application
Submit a complete renewal application and a renewal fee of not more than $650 on or before the last day of the licensee's birth month every third year; the licence expires thirty days after the birth month (A.R.S. § 32-1236(A)).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-12.

Retired or disabled licence status (A.R.S. § 32 1236(G) (H))
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Fee
Reduced renewal fee as prescribed by the Board by rule (A.R.S. § 32-1236(G)).
Prescribing
Relinquish prescribing privileges, surrender any DEA registration and any registration under A.R.S. § 36-2606, and surrender any drug and device dispensing permit (A.R.S. § 32-1236(H)(1)-(2)).
Status
Fully retired, or a permanent disability; the licensee attests by affidavit that the licensee is not currently engaged in the practice of dentistry and may contribute services to a recognized charitable institution (A.R.S. § 32-1236(G), (H)(3)).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-12.

Universal licence recognition for Arizona residents (A.R.S. § 32 4302)
Arizona Dental Jurisprudence Examination
Citizenship
The Board's Statement of Citizenship form, with supporting evidence of lawful presence, is required of every applicant (Applications and Forms page).
Discipline History
No licence revoked or surrendered while under investigation, no unresolved discipline by another regulating entity, and no pending complaint, allegation or investigation relating to unprofessional conduct (A.R.S. § 32-4302(A)(5)-(7)).
Education Verified
The other state had minimum education and, if applicable, work experience and clinical supervision requirements when it licensed the applicant and verifies that the applicant met them (A.R.S. § 32-4302(A)(3)).
Fees And Criminal History
Pays all applicable fees (the Board's FAQ states the dentist fee is the $2,000 licensure by credential fee) and has no disqualifying criminal history under A.R.S. § 41-1093.04 (A.R.S. § 32-4302(A)(8)-(9)).
Fingerprint Clearance Card
A valid fingerprint clearance card issued pursuant to A.R.S. § 41-1758.03 (A.R.S. § 32-1232(B)).
Jurisprudence Result
The Board's Jurisprudence Portal states that results of the Jurisprudence Examination are valid for one year from the date the examination is completed, and that the testing fee is $35.00; the Board requires a copy of the certificate of completion with the application.
Other State Licence
Currently licensed in at least one other state in the discipline applied for and at the same practice level, in good standing in every state of licensure, and licensed by another state for at least one year (A.R.S. § 32-4302(A)(1)-(2)).
Prior Examination
The applicant previously passed an examination required for the licence by the other state, if that state required one (A.R.S. § 32-4302(A)(4)); this is prior evidence, not an Arizona examination.
Residency
Establish residence in Arizona; the Board accepts a valid Arizona driver's license, current Arizona vehicle registration, most recent Arizona income tax filing, Arizona voter registration, Arizona residential mortgage documentation or Military Form 2058 (Initial Application Instructions, process 3).

Integrated National Board Dental Examination

Provider
Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations (JCNDE); administered at Prometric test centers
Format
Computer-based multiple-choice examination administered over two days; each item has at least three but not more than five response options, only one of which is the correct or best option
Exam questions
500 items: Sections 1-3 of 100 standalone items each, Section 4 of 60 case-based items, Sections 5 and 6 of 70 case-based items each
Time limit
12 hours 30 minutes total administration time over two days, including the optional tutorial, scheduled breaks, and post-examination survey
Passing score
Scale score of 75 (scale scores range from 49 to 99); results reported as pass or fail
Exam fee
$890 examination fee (purchased individually)
Examination outline
  • Diagnosis and Treatment Planning — includes all aspects of diagnosis, assessment, interpretation of laboratory results, physical evaluation of structure, appearance and function, as well as background, characteristics, circumstances, underlying conditions and psychological, social or behavioral influences to derive an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan, as well as identify reasonable and safe treatment alternatives for any patient (Clinical Content areas 1-15) (36%)
    • CC 1. Interpret patient information and medical data to assess and manage patients.
    • CC 2. Identify the chief complaint and understand the contributing factors.
    • CC 3. Perform head and neck and intraoral examinations, interpreting and evaluating the clinical findings.
    • CC 4. Use clinical and epidemiological data to diagnose and establish a prognosis for dental abnormalities and pathology.
    • CC 5. Recognize the normal range of clinical findings and distinguish significant deviations that require monitoring, treatment, or management.
    • CC 6. Predict the most likely diagnostic result given available patient information.
    • CC 7. Interpret diagnostic results to inform understanding of the patient’s condition.
    • CC 8. Recognize the manifestations of systemic disease and how the disease and its management may affect the delivery of dental care.
    • CC 9. Recognize the interrelationship between oral health and systemic disease, and implement strategies for improving overall health.
    • CC 10. Select the diagnostic tools most likely to establish or confirm the diagnosis.
    • CC 11. Collect information from diverse sources (patient, guardian, patient records, allied staff, and other healthcare professionals) to make informed decisions.
    • CC 12. Formulate a comprehensive diagnosis and treatment plan for patient management.
    • CC 13. Discuss etiologies, treatment alternatives, and prognoses with patients so they are educated and can make informed decisions concerning the management of their care.
    • CC 14. Understand how patient attributes (e.g., sex, age, race, ethnicity, and special needs), social background and values influence the provision of oral health care at all stages of life.
    • CC 15. Interact and communicate with patients using psychological, social, and behavioral principles.
  • Oral Health Management — includes all aspects of patient care delivery, including provision and modification of treatment, handling of complications, intervention outcomes assessment, and all developments that arise in the course of managing a patient’s oral health care (Clinical Content areas 16-38) (42%)
    • CC 16. Prevent, recognize, and manage medical emergencies (e.g., cardiac arrest).
    • CC 17. Prevent, recognize, and manage dental emergencies.
    • CC 18. Recognize and manage acute pain, hemorrhage, trauma, and infection of the orofacial complex.
    • CC 19. Prevent, diagnose, and manage pain during treatment.
    • CC 20. Prevent, diagnose, and manage pulpal and periradicular diseases.
    • CC 21. Prevent, diagnose, and manage caries.
    • CC 22. Prevent, diagnose, and manage periodontal diseases.
    • CC 23. Prevent, diagnose, and manage oral mucosal and osseous diseases.
    • CC 24. Recognize, manage, and report patient abuse and neglect.
    • CC 25. Recognize and manage substance abuse.
    • CC 26. Select and administer or prescribe pharmacological agents in the treatment of dental patients.
    • CC 27. Anticipate, prevent, and manage complications arising from the use of therapeutic and pharmacological agents in patient care.
    • CC 28. Diagnose endodontic conditions and perform endodontic procedures.
    • CC 29. Diagnose and manage the restorative needs of edentulous and partially edentulous patients.
    • CC 30. Restore tooth function, structure, and esthetics by replacing missing and defective tooth structure, while promoting soft and hard tissue health.
    • CC 31. Perform prosthetic restorations (fixed or removable) and implant procedures for edentulous and partially edentulous patients.
    • CC 32. Diagnose and manage oral surgical treatment needs.
    • CC 33. Perform oral surgical procedures.
    • CC 34. Prevent, diagnose, and manage developmental or acquired occlusal problems.
    • CC 35. Prevent, diagnose, and manage temporomandibular disorders.
    • CC 36. Diagnose and manage patients requiring modification of oral tissues to optimize form, function and esthetics.
    • CC 37. Evaluate outcomes of comprehensive dental care.
    • CC 38. Manage the oral esthetic needs of patients.
  • Practice and Profession — includes the understanding, implementation and monitoring of effective systems, procedures, and policies that support professional practice integrity, quality control and self or organizational performance assessment, as well as systems, procedures, and policies that enable skillful integration of new knowledge, products and technology, and that minimize risk and enhance the quality of care provided or improve community oral health (Clinical Content areas 39-56) (22%)
    • CC 39. Evaluate and integrate emerging trends in health care.
    • CC 40. Evaluate social and economic trends and adapt to accommodate their impact on oral health care.
    • CC 41. Evaluate scientific literature and integrate new knowledge and best research outcomes with patient values and other sources of information to make decisions about treatment.
    • CC 42. Practice within the general dentist’s scope of competence and consult with or refer to professional colleagues when indicated.
    • CC 43. Evaluate and utilize available and emerging resources (e.g., laboratory and clinical resources, information technology) to facilitate patient care, practice management, and professional development.
    • CC 44. Conduct practice activities in a manner that manages risk and is consistent with jurisprudence and ethical requirements in dentistry and healthcare.
    • CC 45. Recognize and respond to situations involving ethical and jurisprudence considerations.
    • CC 46. Maintain patient records in accordance with jurisprudence and ethical requirements.
    • CC 47. Conduct practice related business activities and financial operations in accordance with sound business practices and jurisprudence (e.g., OSHA and HIPAA).
    • CC 48. Develop a catastrophe preparedness plan for the dental practice.
    • CC 49. Manage, coordinate, and supervise the activity of allied dental health personnel.
    • CC 50. Assess one's personal level of skills and knowledge relative to dental practice.
    • CC 51. Adhere to standard precautions for infection control for all clinical procedures.
    • CC 52. Use prevention, intervention, and patient education strategies to maximize oral health.
    • CC 53. Collaborate with dental team members and other health care professionals to promote health and manage disease in communities.
    • CC 54. Evaluate and implement systems of oral health care management and delivery that will address the needs of patient populations served.
    • CC 55. Apply quality assurance, assessment, and improvement concepts to improve outcomes.
    • CC 56. Communicate case design to laboratory technicians and evaluate the resultant restoration or prosthesis.
Examination sources

Arizona Dental Jurisprudence Examination

Provider
Arizona State Board of Dental Examiners, online Jurisprudence Portal (txn.esslearning.com/catalogs/azbde/)
Format
Online multiple-choice examination, considered open book
Exam questions
50 multiple choice questions
Time limit
One hour
Passing score
75% (A.A.C. R4-11-301(C))
Exam fee
$35.00 testing fee paid at the time of testing, plus the $300 Arizona dental jurisprudence examination fee paid with a dentist licence application (A.R.S. § 32-1232(B))
Examination outline
  • Arizona Revised Statutes Title 32, Chapter 11 — Dentistry
  • Arizona Administrative Code Title 4, Chapter 11 — State Board of Dental Examiners
Examination sources