Dentist License – By Exam

Must be mailed to TSBDE

Copy of your online application and payment summary receipt. If you applying by using your foreign education  or military credentials, you will need to submit a paper application. Do not apply online, you will only further delay your processing time.

• 1- 2×2 passport photo
  •  Your head must face the camera directly with full face in view
  •  You must have a neutral facial expression or a natural smile, with both eyes open.
  •  Use a plain white or off-white background.
  •  Be sized correctly
• Copy of driver’s license, naturalization papers, or passport.
• Copy of current Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR certification, must include hands on demonstration of skills.
• Official school transcript showing proof of graduation from a Commission on Dental Accreditation-accredited (CODA) dental school.  Transcripts must remain in the original sealed envelope.
• Completion of National Boards Parts I and II. TSBDE will electronically validate scores that have been made available to Texas.
• Proof of completion of a general dentistry clinical examination administered by a regional clinical examining board dated within 5 years from the date of examination.  TSBDE will electronically validate scores that have been made available to Texas.   Score reports must remain in the original sealed envelope if they are mailed in. Click here for a list of regional clinical examining boards recognized by the TSBDE.   TSBDE currently validates scores from ADEX, CITA, CDCA, CRDTS AND WREB.
• Proof of completion of TSBDE Jurisprudence Assessment dated within one year immediately prior to application submission.
• National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) Self-Query.  Report results must remain in the original sealed envelope.  NPDB self-query reports are valid for 60 days. Contact the NPDB at telephone number (800) 767-6732, or website http://www.npdb.hrsa.gov/pract/howToGetStarted.jsp.
• For applicants who have held a license in another state/jurisdiction: A verification of licensure with imprint of state seal issued from a state board of dentistry in which the applicant has ever held a license to practice dentistry or dental hygiene.  This is not a copy of your license. A copy of the license alone is not acceptable.

Foreign Graduate Licensure: May not apply online. Submit a paper application and select your method of licensure. All of the above supplemental documents are required along with  the official final transcript of an American Dental Association-approved specialty in a CODA-accredited education program that consists of at least two (2) years of training as specified by the Council on Dental Education and copy of the diploma of the non accredited dental school (translated, if not in English).

Military Applicants: U.S. Military Active Duty, Veterans, and U.S. Military Active Duty Spouses may not apply online. Submit a paper application and select your method of licensure. All of the above supplemental documents are required along with a a copy of your Military Change of Station Orders, Identification Card or a document showing proof of Honorable or General Discharge.

Please allow 3 – 4 weeks for processing once TSBDE has received a completed application.  Incomplete applications will delay the process.  Please do not contact the Licensing Division to check the status of your application unless it has been longer than 4 weeks and you have not been contacted via mail.  Once your application has been approved, you will receive an approval letter via the U.S. mail advising you of the license activation process.