Getting licensed to practice as a dentist in Alabama means applying through the Alabama Board of Dental Examiners, completing primary source verification of your credentials, and then enrolling with payers so you can bill. Here's how it works — and how Rivon handles Alabama licensing and credentialing for you.
Official AL boardApply, renew, or look up a license on the Alabama Board of Dental Examiners websiteHow to get licensed in Alabama
- 01Confirm eligibility and gather documents — diploma, training verification, exam results (INBDE + a clinical exam), current licenses, DEA, and a complete work history.
- 02Submit the application to the Alabama Board of Dental Examiners, with all fees and supporting documents.
- 03Primary source verification — the board confirms your education, training, licensure, certification, and background (including the NPDB) directly with each source.
- 04Board review and issuance — once the file is complete and verified, Alabama issues your license.
- 05Enroll with payers and keep the license current — track the renewal cycle and CE/CME so it never lapses.
Licensing board
Alabama Board of Dental Examiners
The AL board sets Alabama's application, documentation, fees, and renewal requirements.
Board websiteEstimated application fee
$1,050
An estimate; confirm current fees with the Alabama Board of Dental Examiners. Amounts vary by license type and change over time.
Typical timeline
~45 days
From a complete file to issuance — driven mostly by how fast primary sources respond. A clean, error-free application is the best way to stay near the low end.
Free AL checklist
Get the complete Alabama dentist licensing checklist
Every document, form and fee, stage by stage, with links to the official board forms. Emailed to you now.
Renewing your Alabama dental license
Once you're licensed, the Alabama Board of Dental Examiners requires you to renew on a set cycle. Here are the renewal rules as the board publishes them.
- Renewal cycle
- Every year (annual registration)
- Deadline
- Annual registration due by September 30; registration runs October 1 to September 30. Unrenewed licenses go to expired status October 1 and are automatically suspended January 1
- Renewal fee
- $350 dental annual registration fee (late fee: Oct 1 to Dec 31: reinstate by meeting renewal requirements and paying the annual fee; after the Jan 1 suspension, pay all missed annual fees (up to 5 years) plus the $250 dental license reinstatement penalty)
- Continuing education (CE)
- 20 hours every year, at least 10 hours in-person live
- CPR, 2-4 hours every 2 years (in-person only)
- At least 1 hour infectious disease control (annually)
- At least 1 hour prescribing controlled substances (annually)
- 1 hour ethical considerations (annually)
- Half of all hours must relate to dental practice
- How to renew
- Online through the Board of Dental Examiners of Alabama license renewal portalOpen the renewal portal
- NoteRegistration cannot be completed unless the CE requirement (Rule 270-X-4-.04) is met
- NoteThe renewal form asks you to attest to any controlled-substance inventory kept for dispensing or administration
- NoteAlabama Controlled Substance Permit renews separately ($150)
- NoteOral conscious sedation ($100), parenteral sedation ($300) and general anesthesia ($300) permits renew separately
- NoteCE rules shown are effective February 14, 2025
Last verified October 3, 2026 from the Alabama Board of Dental Examiners. As published by the board; confirm current requirements before renewing.
SourcesAlabama Admin. Code 270-X-2-.07 Annual Registration for DentistsBoard of Dental Examiners of Alabama - Fee Schedule 2025Board of Dental Examiners of Alabama - Continuing Education
Renewal tracking
Never miss a Alabama renewal
Rivon tracks your license expiration, CEhours and DEA, and reminds you before you're due.
Dental credentialing & payer enrollment in Alabama
A Alabama license lets you practice; credentialing lets you get paid. Before a health plan will reimburse you, it verifies your license, training, and history. Here's what that usually involves:
- 01Keep your NPI record (NPPES) current — your name, practice address, and taxonomy code should match your Alabama license exactly.
- 02Complete your CAQH ProView profile: upload your Alabama license and other documents, attest, and authorize each plan to view it. Re-attest every 120 days.
- 03Apply to each dental plan (and any medical plan you'll bill) that you want to join in Alabama. Each runs its own credentialing review.
- 04If you'll see Medicaid patients, enroll with Alabama Medicaid (and any Medicaid managed-care plans you'll work with).
- 05If you'll bill Medicare, enroll through PECOS.
- 06If you'll work in a hospital or surgery center, apply for privileges there — each facility credentials you separately.
New to CAQH? Read our CAQH ProView guide for setup, your CAQH ID, and re-attestation.
How Rivon handles Alabama licensing & credentialing
On the Rivon platform, your Alabama license, DEA, and certifications live in one record with always-on monitoring that flags every renewal weeks early — so nothing lapses with the Alabama Board of Dental Examiners. Document AI reads each credential and fills the profile without retyping, and licensing & credentialing pipelines run primary source verification and payer enrollment in parallel.
Prefer to hand it off? Rivon's white-glove team manages the entire Alabama application end to end — gathering documents, completing verification, and shepherding payer enrollment — while you watch progress in real time.
Alabama dentist licensing FAQ
How long does it take to get a dental license in Alabama?
Most Alabama dentist applications take about 45 days once the Alabama Board of Dental Examiners has a complete file, though timelines vary with how quickly primary sources (schools, prior boards, the NPDB) respond. Submitting a complete, error-free application is the single biggest way to avoid delays.
Which board licenses dentists in Alabama?
Dentists in Alabama are licensed by the Alabama Board of Dental Examiners, which verifies education, training, exams, and background before granting a license.
How much is the Alabama dentist application fee?
As an estimate, the Alabama dentist application fee is around $1,050. Fees change and vary by license type — always confirm the current amount directly with the Alabama Board of Dental Examiners before you apply.
How do I renew my Alabama dental license?
In Alabama, renewals are filed with the Alabama Board of Dental Examiners. How to renew: Online through the Board of Dental Examiners of Alabama license renewal portal. Renewal cycle: Every year (annual registration). Deadline: Annual registration due by September 30; registration runs October 1 to September 30. Unrenewed licenses go to expired status October 1 and are automatically suspended January 1. Renewal fee: $350 dental annual registration fee (late fee: Oct 1 to Dec 31: reinstate by meeting renewal requirements and paying the annual fee; after the Jan 1 suspension, pay all missed annual fees (up to 5 years) plus the $250 dental license reinstatement penalty). Continuing education: 20 hours every year, at least 10 hours in-person live. Required topics include CPR, 2-4 hours every 2 years (in-person only); At least 1 hour infectious disease control (annually); At least 1 hour prescribing controlled substances (annually); 1 hour ethical considerations (annually); Half of all hours must relate to dental practice. This is as published by the board (last verified October 3, 2026); confirm before renewing. Rivon tracks the expiration date and flags it well before it's due.
How many CE hours do I need to renew a dental license in Alabama?
20 CE hours. The Alabama Board of Dental Examiners publishes the requirement as: 20 hours every year, at least 10 hours in-person live. Required topics include CPR, 2-4 hours every 2 years (in-person only); At least 1 hour infectious disease control (annually); At least 1 hour prescribing controlled substances (annually); 1 hour ethical considerations (annually); Half of all hours must relate to dental practice. Last verified October 3, 2026; confirm with the board before renewing. Rivon tracks your CE hours against the requirement so you're not caught short.
How do I look up or verify a Alabama dentist license?
Use the license lookup (verification) tool on the Alabama Board of Dental Examiners's official website. It shows whether a license is active and when it expires.
What does dentist credentialing involve in Alabama?
Credentialing is how health plans and facilities verify your qualifications before you can bill them or practice with them. In Alabama that usually means an up-to-date NPI record, a complete and attested CAQH ProView profile, an application to each plan you want to join, and — if you'll bill them — Alabama Medicaid enrollment and Medicare enrollment through PECOS.
Do I need a Alabama license to practice telehealth there?
Generally yes. Licensure follows where the patient is located, so to treat patients in Alabama — including by telehealth — you typically need a Alabama license unless a specific exception applies.
Can Rivon handle Alabama dentist licensing and credentialing for me?
Yes. On the Rivon platform you can track every Alabama license and renewal with always-on monitoring and run credentialing with primary source verification. Or hand it to Rivon's white-glove team, which manages the Alabama application and payer enrollment end to end.