Application Procedures/Requirements
Dentists can be licensed by either "examination" or "reciprocity". These terms are specific to this state, so please read the requirements below:
To qualify for licensure by examination you must:
- Graduate from an accredited school or college of Dentistry;
- Pass the licensure examination Part I and Part II given by the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations (JCNDE) with a score of 75 or above on each part of this examination;
- Pass an acceptable licensure practical examination. The Nebraska Board of Dentistry has determined that the following examinations will be accepted* for Dentistry license applications completed between September 1, 2012 through August 31, 2013 (a passing score for each examination is determined by the respective testing agency):
- 2012-2013 Central Regional Dental Testing Service (CRDTS) Dental Examination (Passing score is 75)
- 2012-2013 North East Regional Board (NERB) Dental Examination with either the NERB Patient-based Periodontal Examination or the CRDTS Patient-based Periodontal Examination (Passing score is 75)
- 2012-2013 Council of Interstate Testing Agencies (CITA) Dental Examination (Passing score is 75)
- 2012-2013 Western Regional Examining Board (WREB) Dental Examination with CRDTS Prosthodontic Manikin Examination (Passing Score is 75)
- 2012-2013 Southern Regional Testing Agency (SRTA) Dental Examination with CRDTS Periodontal Examination (Passing Score is 75)
Note: The Department will retain a list of acceptable licensing examinations for 5 years as an administrative reference for applicants who do not apply for licensure during the same year the examination is completed.
*Acceptable examinations will be updated by September 1st of each calendar year.
- Pass a
jurisprudence examination that relates to the statutes that govern dentistry with an average score of 75% or above;
- Have good moral character and have attained at least the age of majority (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 43-2101. All persons under 19 years of age are declared to be minors, but in case any person marries under the age of 19 years, his/her minority ends); and
Application Procedures:
The applicant will need to submit to the Department the following:
- Completed Application; and Criminal Background Check (now required for initial licensure)
- Official transcript from an accredited school or college of dentistry showing graduation from the school or college;
- Official documentation of the scores obtained on Parts I and II of the licensure examination given by JCNDE;
- Official documentation of the scores obtained on either the CRDTS, WREB, CITA or NERB examination; NOTE: NERB examinees must request that NERB send their scores directly to our Department. All other regional exam scores are automatically sent to the Department.
- Completed jurisprudence examination;
- Fee of $165, unless you are applying within the 6 months prior to the expiration date of the license, which is March 1,of odd years, then the fee is $41.25.
- Copy of a birth certificate, marriage license, driver’s license, or other valid verification of age.
The Department shall act within 150 days upon all completed applications for licensure.
To qualify for Licensure by Reciprocity:
An applicant who is licensed as a dentist in another jurisdiction may apply for licensure by reciprocity if the applicant meets the following requirements:
- Graduated from an accredited school or College of Dentistry;
- Passed the licensure examination Part I and Part II given by the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations (JCNDE) with a score of 75 or above on each part of this examination;
- Passed an examination requiring demonstration of the applicant's skill in clinical dentistry;
- Passed a jurisprudence examination that relates to the statutes that govern dentistry with an average score of 75% or above;
- Have actively engaged in the practice of dentistry or in an accepted residency or graduate training program for at least 3 years in which one of those three years was within the least three years immediately preceding the date of application for licensure;
- Provided proof of 15 hours of continuing education that meets the criteria for approval by the Board during the 12 month period preceding the date of application for licensure;
- Attained at least the age of majority and have good moral character.
Application Procedures:
The applicant will need to submit to the Department the following:
- Completed Application; and Criminal Background Check (now required for initial licensure)
- Official transcript from an accredited school or college of dentistry showing graduation from the school or college;
- Official documentation of the scores obtained on Parts I and II of the licensure examination given by JCNDE;
- Official documentation of the scores obtained on either the CRDTS, WREB, CITA or NERB examination; NOTE: NERB examinees must request that NERB send their scores directly to our Department. All other regional exam scores are automatically sent to the Department.
- Completed jurisprudence examination;
- Fee of $165, unless you are applying within the 6 months prior to the expiration date of the license, which is March 1,of odd years, then the fee is $41.25.
- Copy of a birth certificate, marriage license, driver’s license, or other valid verification of age.
- Documentation sent directly to the Department from the licensing agencies of all jurisdictions where the applicant is or has ever been licensed.
- Documentation of being actively engaged in practice of dentistry or in an accepted residency or graduate training program.
- Evidence of completion of 15 hours of acceptable continuing education with the preceding 12 month of the date of application.
The Department shall act within 150 days upon all completed applications for licensure.
Examination Requirements
The Nebraska Board of Dentistry has determined that the following examinations will be accepted* for Dentistry license applications completed between September 1, 2011 through August 31, 2012 (A passing score for each examination is determined by the respective testing agency):
2011-2012 Central Regional Dental Testing Service (CRDTS) Dental Examination (Passing score is 75)
2011-2012 North East Regional Board (NERB) Dental Examination (Passing score is 75)
2011-2012 Council of Interstate Testing Agencies (CITA) Dental Examination (Passing score is 75)
2011-2012 Western Regional Examining Board (WREB) Dental Examination with CRDTS Prosthodontic Manikin Examination (Passing Score is 75)
2011-2012 Southern Regional Testing Agency (SRTA) Dental Examination with CRDTS Periodontal Examination (Passing Score is 75)
Note: The Department will retain a list of acceptable licensing examinations for 5 years as an administrative reference for applicants who do not apply for licensure during the same year the examination is completed. *Acceptable examinations will be updated by September 1st of each calendar year.
CRDTS www.crdts.org
WREB www.wreb.org
CITA www.citaexam.com
NERB www.nerb.org
SRTA www.srta.org
The JURISPRUDENCE Examination is an open book examination to be completed and returned along with the application for licensure.
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Fees
Fee Schedule
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Applications
These forms may be completed online, however, they cannot be submitted via e-mail due to the fact that all applications and forms require original signatures. If you complete the form online, you must print the form and mail it to the address below.
Application for License to Practice Dentistry
Application for Reinstatement of License to Practice Dentistry
Criminal Background Check (now required for initial licensure)
Name Change Form
Inhalation Analgesia Permit Application
General Anesthesia Permit Application
Parenteral Sedation Permit Application
Duplicates/Reissue Form
Jurisprudence Examination Form
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Renewal Information
Dentist renewal: All initial licenses issued by the Department shall expire on March 1 of each odd-numbered year. There are three license status choices:
Active Status –means the licensee can engage in the practice of dentistry in the State of Nebraska.
Inactive status-means the licensee shall not engage in the practice of dentistry in the State of Nebraska. A license that is placed on inactive remains on that status until such time as the license is reinstated. In order to move a license from inactive to active status, an individual shall complete a reinstatement application, pay the renewal fee, which is in effect at the time he, or she wishes to reinstate the license and meet additional requirements as specified by regulation.
Any licensee who wishes to renew his or her license must:
- Meet continuing education requirements;
- Pay the renewal fee of $165.00; or
- Place the license on inactive status.
First Notice. At least 30 days before March 1 of each odd-numbered year, the Department shall send a renewal notice which includes an affidavit for continuing education and an application for waiver of continuing education to each licensee at the licensee's last place of residence as noted in the records of the Department. It is the responsibility of the licensee prior to the renewal period to notify the Department of any name and/or address changes.
The Department may refuse to renew a license for falsification of any information submitted for renewal of a license. Such refusal shall be made pursuant to NAC §§ 38-144, 185 through 189, and 196; and NAC §§ 38-144, 185 through 189, and 196; and NAC §§ 4-108 through 114; and NAC §§ 4-108 through 114.
Audit of Continuing Education. The Board may biennially select, in a random manner, a sample of the license renewal applications for audit of continuing education credits. Each licensee shall be responsible for maintaining in his/her personal files such certificates or records of credit from acceptable continuing education activities. Licensees selected for audit shall be required to produce documentation of his/her attendance at those continuing education activities listed on his/her renewal application.
- The Department will send to each licensee selected for audit a notice of audit.
- When selected for audit, the licensee must provide satisfactory documentation of attendance at or participation in the acceptable continuing education activities listed on the licensee's sworn affidavit.
- Failure to comply with the audit may be grounds for non-renewal of the license.
Waiver of Continuing Education
The Department, on the recommendation of the Board, may waive the continuing education requirements, in whole or in part, for any two-year license or for the period of time when a licensee submits documentation that circumstances beyond his or her control prevented the completion of such requirements.
- Such circumstances shall include situations in which the licensee:
- Has been in the service of the regular armed forces of the United States during any part of the 24 months immediately preceding the license renewal date; or
- Has been first licensed within 24 months immediately preceding the renewal date.
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Continuing Education
A dentist must complete 30 hours of acceptable continuing education during the 24-month period preceding the expiration date of their license.
Anyone needing approval of continuing education courses may submit an application to the Department. Prior approval of continuing education courses is not required. The application for approval of continuing education courses may be submitted on a form provided by the Department or on an alternate format. The completed application must include the following information:
Anyone needing approval of continuing education courses may submit an application to the Department. Prior approval of continuing education courses is required. The application for approval of continuing education courses may be submitted on a provided by the Department or on an alternate format. The completed application must include the following information: - The topic of the program;
- Name of provider;
- Location of continuing education;
- The date(s) of the program; and
- The number of hours received for the program.
To obtain more detailed information concerning continuing education requirements in 172 NAC 56 Section 8 of the Regulations Governing the Practice of Dentisty and Dental Hygiene.
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Name and Address Change
To request an address change, you can contact Office of Medical and Specialized Health at (402) 471-2118 or e-mail at dhhs.medicaloffice@nebraska.gov. If you wish to change your name on your Licensure Unit record, you must mail a written request with your signature notarized along with a copy of the legal document verifying name change to:
Licensure Unit
Office of Medical and Specialized Health
PO Box 94986
Lincoln NE 68509-4986
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Duplicates/Reissue
Duplicates: A duplicate large license or small license card may be requested at the time of initial licensure. A $10.00 fee, per document, is required.
Reissue: A large license and/or small license card may be reissued when the licensee requests: additional documents; replacement of original document(s) due to loss, mutilation or destruction; or replacement of document(s) due to a name change.
To request a reissued license, you must submit a request for reissuance, and include a fee in the amount of $10.00 per document. Submit said request to:
Licensure Unit
Medical and Specialized Health
PO Box 94986
Lincoln NE 68509-4986
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Rules and Regulations/Statutes
Regulations Governing the Performance of Duties by Licensed Dental Hygienists and other Dental Auxiliaries - 172 NAC 53
Regulations Governing Professional Advertising by Dentists - 172 NAC 54
Regulations relating to Dental Office Maintenance - 172 NAC 55
Regulations Governing the Practice of Dentistry and Dental Hygiene - 172 NAC 56
Regulations Governing the Practice of Dental Hygienists approved to Administer Local Anesthesia - 172 NAC 57
Statutes relating to Dentistry
Statutes relating to the Uniform Credentialing Act
Regulations relating to Mandatory Reporting
Mandatory Reporting Forms
Statutes relating to Medical Records
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Board Information
The Board of Dentistry advises the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health on all issues related to the regulation of Dentistry. Board member composition and length of terms follows: