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Idaho Dentist — Requirements & Free Practice

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Licenses, application pathways and examination requirements

Each license and applicant pathway has its own requirements and exemptions. Choosing practice questions does not determine your eligibility.

Dentist License

License to practice dentistry in Idaho, issued by the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses in the name of the State Board of Dentistry (Idaho Code Title 54, Chapter 9; IDAPA 24.31.01).

Licensing authority: Idaho State Board of Dentistry (Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses) · Application information

Licensure by credentials (Idaho Code § 54 916B)
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application Fee
Idaho Code § 54-916B(6): application fee as set by Board rule.
Clinical Practice
Idaho Code § 54-916B(2): clinical practice for at least five years immediately preceding application, for a minimum of 3,500 hours.
Education
Idaho Code § 54-916B(3): graduation from a CODA-accredited dental school.
Other State License
Idaho Code § 54-916B(1): active license in good standing to practice dentistry in another state with no disciplinary proceedings or unresolved complaints pending.
Prior Clinical Examination
Idaho Code § 54-916B(5): has successfully completed a board-approved clinical examination (prior evidence).
Prior National Board
Idaho Code § 54-916B(4): has successfully completed the national board dental examinations (prior evidence).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-07-01.

Licensure by examination
Integrated National Board Dental Examination
Application Fee
Idaho Code § 54-916 and IDAPA 24.31.01.400: application on Board forms with the application fee set by Board rule.
Bls Certification
IDAPA 24.31.01.100.01.b: proof of current BLS certification.
Clinical Examination
IDAPA 24.31.01.100.02.b: pass a Board-approved clinical examination upon such subjects as specified by the Board; results are valid for licensure by examination for five years from successful completion. The official sources obtained do not name the approved clinical examinations.
Criminal History
Idaho Code § 54-915(1): must not have been convicted, found guilty, or received a withheld judgment or suspended sentence of a crime deemed relevant under § 67-9411(1), unless sufficiently rehabilitated to warrant the public trust.
Education
Idaho Code § 54-915(2) and IDAPA 24.31.01.100.01.a: DDS or DMD degree from a dental school accepted and approved by the Board, from a program accredited by CODA at the time of graduation.
Conversion of an inactive status license to active status (Idaho Code § 54 920(7)(d))
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Evidence
Idaho Code § 54-920(7)(d): pay the active status license fee and submit satisfactory evidence of compliance with the chapter and rules, good professional conduct, and accumulated continuing education required of an uninterrupted active license.
Inactive License
Idaho Code § 54-920(7)(d): holds an Idaho dentist license with inactive status.
Otherwise
Idaho Code § 54-920(7)(e): persons unable to meet these requirements must apply as first-time applicants.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-07-01.

Licensure by endorsement for military members, veterans and spouses (Idaho Code § 67 9406)
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Discipline Disclosure
Idaho Code § 67-9406(3): must disclose all current, pending or subsequent disciplinary proceedings; the Board may withhold, revoke or condition licensure.
Military Status
Idaho Code § 67-9406(1)-(2): member of the military, former member discharged under honorable conditions, veteran, or spouse of any such person.
Other License
Idaho Code § 67-9406(1)-(2): current, valid and unrestricted licensure in another U.S. state, district or territory, or in a branch of the armed forces or national guard.
Scope Comparison
Idaho Code § 67-9406(5): where Idaho's scope is broader, the Board may issue a limited license pending additional requirements and may administer an examination or partial examination narrowly tailored to the additional knowledge or skills.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-07-01.

License with provisional or special status (Idaho Code § 54 920(7)(c))
Integrated National Board Dental Examination
Board Discretion
Idaho Code § 54-920(7)(c): issued at the Board's discretion to a person who fulfills or substantially fulfills the applicable licensure requirements when special circumstances require specific conditions, restrictions or limitations.
Limitations
Idaho Code § 54-920(6)(c): conditions may include a limited effective period, specified education, examinations and skills testing, and restrictions on services, patients and locations.
Renewal
Idaho Code § 54-920(7)(c): a provisional license is effective for the period specified by the Board and may not be renewed.
Reinstatement of a license canceled for less than two years (Idaho Code § 54 921(1))
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Canceled License
Idaho Code § 54-921(1): the Idaho license has been canceled for less than two years.
Fees And Continuing Education
Idaho Code § 54-921(1): submit all required application and license fees and evidence of completion of all required continuing education hours.
Longer Cancellation
Idaho Code § 54-921(2): a license canceled for more than two years is reinstated only by satisfying the requirements of a first-time applicant.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-07-01.

Universal licensure for holders of another state's license (Idaho Code § 67 9409)
Integrated National Board Dental Examination
Application And Background
Idaho Code § 67-9409(3) and (5): application, supporting materials, the same background checks and the same fees as standard applicants.
Competency
Idaho Code § 67-9409(1)(b) and (8): demonstrates competency through methods determined by the Board, not beyond the standard licensing process.
Examination Discretion
Idaho Code § 67-9409(4): the Board may require the applicant to take and pass all or a portion of an examination it uses as part of the application requirements as necessary to demonstrate competence.
Other State License
Idaho Code § 67-9409(1)(a): current, valid and unrestricted licensure in another U.S. state, district or territory.
Scope Comparison
Idaho Code § 67-9409(6): the Board may issue a limited license where Idaho's scope of practice is broader.
Universal work recognition (Idaho Code § 67 9414)
Integrated National Board Dental Examination
Application And Background
Idaho Code § 67-9414(3) and (5): application, supporting materials, the same background checks and the same licensing fee as standard applicants.
Examination Passing Score
Idaho Code § 67-9414(2): the same passing score as standard licensing applicants on any examination the Board requires.
Work Experience
Idaho Code § 67-9414(1): at least four years of work experience in the profession in another U.S. state, district or territory, or in the military, where a license was not required.

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