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Texas Dentist — Requirements & Free Practice

US-TX · License preparation

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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.

Dental School Faculty Member License

License for a salaried faculty member of a CODA-accredited dental school who has direct patient contact; it does not authorize practice outside the auspices of the employing school.

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

Dental school faculty member licensure
Jurisprudence Assessment for Dentists (No Sedation Permit)
Education
Degree from a dental school (Tex. Occ. Code 267.003(a)(1)(A)).
Faculty Position
Full-time or part-time salaried faculty position at a CODA-accredited dental school, with endorsement by the dean, department chair or program director (Tex. Occ. Code 267.003(a)(1)(B), (a)(2)).
Other
NPDB self-query, verification of every license held, current basic life support certification, approved human trafficking prevention course and fingerprints (TSBDE Faculty License page).
Scope
The license does not authorize practice outside the auspices of the employing school and expires when employment with the school terminates (Tex. Occ. Code 267.005; 22 TAC 117.2).
Timing
Apply within 30 days after beginning employment and pass the jurisprudence examination within six months after beginning employment; direct patient contact is permitted before passing (Tex. Occ. Code 267.003(c), (e)).

Military Limited Volunteer License

Dental license limited to uncompensated practice at a clinic that primarily treats indigent patients, for dentists licensed or retired in good standing in another state who are or were authorized to treat armed forces personnel or veterans.

Licensing authority: state board of dental examiners · Application information

Military limited volunteer licensure
Jurisprudence Assessment for Dentists (No Sedation Permit)
Eligibility
Licensed in good standing, or retired in good standing, in another state, and is or was authorized to treat personnel enlisted in a branch of the U.S. armed forces or veterans (22 TAC 101.13(b)).
General Qualifications
22 TAC 101.1: at least 21 years of age; proof of U.S. citizenship, lawful permanent residency or federal work authorization; professional fitness; current basic life support course; fingerprints for criminal history; approved human trafficking prevention course; National Practitioner Data Bank self-query; all application fees paid.
Ineligibility
No license under active investigation or subject to disciplinary action, no controlled-substance authority under investigation or discipline, and no felony or moral-turpitude misdemeanor conviction, deferred adjudication or active investigation (22 TAC 101.13(c)).
Jurisprudence Timing
The Jurisprudence Assessment must have been passed within one year immediately prior to application (22 TAC 101.1(c)(5)).
Practice Limits
Practice only at a clinic that primarily treats indigent patients, without compensation; no fees for issuance or renewal (22 TAC 101.13(a), (d)).

Provisional License

Provisional dental license for eligible applicants currently licensed in another jurisdiction.

Licensing authority: State Board of Dental Examiners

Provisional licensure for an applicant currently licensed in another jurisdiction
Jurisprudence Assessment for Dentists (No Sedation Permit)
Concurrent Application
A concurrent application for licensure by examination or by credentials (22 TAC 101.12(a)(1)).
Education
Graduate of a CODA-accredited dental school approved by the Board (Tex. Occ. Code 256.1013(a)(2)).
General Qualifications
22 TAC 101.1: at least 21 years of age; proof of U.S. citizenship, lawful permanent residency or federal work authorization; professional fitness; current basic life support course; fingerprints for criminal history; approved human trafficking prevention course; National Practitioner Data Bank self-query; all application fees paid.
Jurisprudence Timing
The Jurisprudence Assessment must have been passed within one year immediately prior to application (22 TAC 101.1(c)(5)).
Other Jurisdiction License
Licensed in good standing as a dentist for at least two years in another jurisdiction with substantially equivalent licensing requirements (Tex. Occ. Code 256.1013(a)(1)).
Prior Examinations
Has passed a national or other examination recognized by the Board relating to the practice of dentistry (Tex. Occ. Code 256.1013(a)(3)); prior evidence.
Sponsorship
Sponsored by a Texas licensee with whom the provisional license holder will practice; the Board may waive sponsorship for hardship (22 TAC 101.12(b)).
Validity
The provisional license is valid until the Board approves or denies the license application, which must occur within 180 days unless extended (Tex. Occ. Code 256.1013(c)-(d)).

temporary licensure by credentials

Temporary dental license limited to practice as an employee of a nonprofit corporation that accepts Medicaid reimbursement.

Licensing authority: state board of dental examiners · Application information

Temporary licensure by credentials for employment by a nonprofit corporation that accepts Medicaid reimbursement
Jurisprudence Assessment for Dentists (No Sedation Permit)
Background Checks
NPDB/HIPDB/AADB background checks (22 TAC 101.4(a)(5)).
Continuing Education
12 hours of continuing education within the 12 months preceding application (22 TAC 101.4(a)(7)).
Current License
Current license in good standing in another state, the District of Columbia or a U.S. territory, with endorsement by that jurisdiction's board (22 TAC 101.4(a)(3)-(4)).
Education
DDS or DMD degree from a CODA-accredited dental school (22 TAC 101.4(a)(1)).
Employment
Current employment by a Texas nonprofit corporation that accepts Medicaid reimbursement; practice only as its employee (22 TAC 101.4(a)(6), (b)).
General Qualifications
22 TAC 101.1: at least 21 years of age; proof of U.S. citizenship, lawful permanent residency or federal work authorization; professional fitness; current basic life support course; fingerprints for criminal history; approved human trafficking prevention course; National Practitioner Data Bank self-query; all application fees paid.
Jurisprudence Timing
The Jurisprudence Assessment must have been passed within one year immediately prior to application (22 TAC 101.1(c)(5)).
Prior Examinations
Passing results of the examination for dentists given by the ADA Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations and of the clinical examination underlying the other-state license are prior evidence (22 TAC 101.4(a)(2)-(3)).

Temporary License for Charitable Purpose

Temporary dental license for a dentist whose practice consists only of voluntary charity care.

Licensing authority: State Board of Dental Examiners · Application information

Temporary licensure for voluntary charity care by a dentist licensed, or recently licensed, in another U.S. jurisdiction
Jurisprudence Assessment for Dentists (No Sedation Permit)
Charity Care Disclosures
Description, sponsor, location and dates of the charity care and procedures for continued care, emergencies and records (22 TAC 101.10(c)).
Eligibility
Not the subject of a final or pending disciplinary action in any jurisdiction; DDS or DMD degree from a CODA-accredited dental school (22 TAC 101.10(b)(1)-(2)); the TSBDE page states that a dentist who holds or has held a Texas dental license is not eligible.
General Qualifications
22 TAC 101.1: at least 21 years of age; proof of U.S. citizenship, lawful permanent residency or federal work authorization; professional fitness; current basic life support course; fingerprints for criminal history; approved human trafficking prevention course; National Practitioner Data Bank self-query; all application fees paid.
Jurisprudence Timing
The Jurisprudence Assessment must have been passed within one year immediately prior to application (22 TAC 101.1(c)(5)).
Other Jurisdiction License
Currently licensed in another state, the District of Columbia or a U.S. territory, or so licensed in good standing within two years before applying (22 TAC 101.10(b)(4)).
Practice Limits
Voluntary charity care only, in the geographic area and period specified by the license; no anesthesia other than local without a permit (22 TAC 101.10(d), (f)).
Prior Examinations
Has passed the examination for dentists given by the ADA Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations and the clinical examination underlying the other-state license (22 TAC 101.10(b)(3)-(4)); prior evidence.

Jurisprudence Assessment for Dentists (No Sedation Permit)

Examination outline
  • Texas Occupations Code Chapter 251. General Provisions Relating to Practice of Dentistry
  • Texas Occupations Code Chapter 254. Board Powers and Duties
  • Texas Occupations Code Chapter 255. Public Interest Information and Complaint Procedures
  • Texas Occupations Code Chapter 256. Licensing of Dentists and Dental Hygienists
  • Texas Occupations Code Chapter 257. License Renewal
  • Texas Occupations Code Chapter 258. Practice by Dentist
  • Texas Occupations Code Chapter 259. Prohibited or Restricted Commercial or Professional Activities
  • Texas Occupations Code Chapter 260. Operation of Certain Dental Practices
  • Texas Occupations Code Chapter 261. Confidentiality and Immunity of Dental Peer Review Committee
  • Texas Occupations Code Chapter 262. Regulation of Dental Hygienists
  • Texas Occupations Code Chapter 263. License Denial and Disciplinary Proceedings
  • Texas Occupations Code Chapter 264. Penalties and Enforcement Provisions
  • Texas Occupations Code Chapter 265. Regulation of Dental Assistants
  • Texas Occupations Code Chapter 266. Regulation of Dental Laboratories
  • Texas Occupations Code Chapter 267. Licensing of Faculty Members of Dental or Dental Hygiene Schools
  • 22 Texas Administrative Code Chapter 100. General Provisions
  • 22 Texas Administrative Code Chapter 101. Dental Licensure
  • 22 Texas Administrative Code Chapter 104. Continuing Education
  • 22 Texas Administrative Code Chapter 107. Dental Board Procedures
  • 22 Texas Administrative Code Chapter 108. Professional Conduct
  • 22 Texas Administrative Code Chapter 110. Sedation and Anesthesia
  • 22 Texas Administrative Code Chapter 111. Standards for Prescribing Controlled Substances and Dangerous Drugs
  • 22 Texas Administrative Code Chapter 112. Visual Dental Health Inspections
  • 22 Texas Administrative Code Chapter 113. Requirements for Dental Offices
  • 22 Texas Administrative Code Chapter 114. Extension of Duties of Auxiliary Personnel--Dental Assistants
  • 22 Texas Administrative Code Chapter 115. Extension of Duties of Auxiliary Personnel--Dental Hygiene
  • 22 Texas Administrative Code Chapter 116. Dental Laboratories
  • 22 Texas Administrative Code Chapter 117. Faculty and Students in Accredited Dental Schools
  • 22 Texas Administrative Code Chapter 119. Special Areas of Dental Practice
  • 22 Texas Administrative Code Chapter 125. Applications for Special Consideration or Exception to Board Rules
Examination sources