Getting licensed to practice as a dentist in Kentucky means applying through the Kentucky Board of Dentistry, 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 Kentucky licensing and credentialing for you.
Official KY boardApply, renew, or look up a license on the Kentucky Board of Dentistry websiteHow to get licensed in Kentucky
- 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 Kentucky Board of Dentistry, 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, Kentucky issues your license.
- 05Enroll with payers and keep the license current — track the renewal cycle and CE/CME so it never lapses.
Licensing board
Kentucky Board of Dentistry
The KY board sets Kentucky's application, documentation, fees, and renewal requirements.
Board websiteEstimated application fee
$325
An estimate; confirm current fees with the Kentucky Board of Dentistry. 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 KY checklist
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Renewing your Kentucky dental license
Once you're licensed, the Kentucky Board of Dentistry requires you to renew on a set cycle. Here are the renewal rules as the board publishes them.
- Renewal cycle
- Every 2 years
- Deadline
- Expires December 31 of odd-numbered years (CE due by the same date); late renewal tiers run January 1 - 31, reinstatement after February 1
- Renewal fee
- $295 general dental license renewal (late fee: Late renewal/reinstatement $575 (Jan 1-15), $835 (Jan 16-31), $1,415 (after Feb 1))
- Continuing education (CE)
- 30 hours per 2-year license period (at least 20 clinical; at least 10 live interactive)
- At least 20 hours clinical skills and knowledge
- At least 10 hours in live interactive format
- 3 hours KASPER, pain management or addiction disorders (dentists authorized to prescribe controlled substances)
- Current CPR certification maintained (does not count toward the 30 hours)
- How to renew
- Online through the Kentucky Board of Dentistry Thentia licensee portal (set up an account, then select License Renewal during the renewal period)Open the renewal portal
- NoteUp to 10 hours may be business/practice management, charitable volunteer clinical work, or dental association meetings
- NoteAnesthesia/sedation permits renew separately ($75)
Last verified October 3, 2026 from the Kentucky Board of Dentistry. As published by the board; confirm current requirements before renewing.
SourcesKentucky Board of Dentistry - FeesKentucky Board of Dentistry - Continuing EducationKentucky Board of Dentistry - Home
Renewal tracking
Never miss a Kentucky renewal
Rivon tracks your license expiration, CEhours and DEA, and reminds you before you're due.
Dental credentialing & payer enrollment in Kentucky
A Kentucky 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 Kentucky license exactly.
- 02Complete your CAQH ProView profile: upload your Kentucky 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 Kentucky. Each runs its own credentialing review.
- 04If you'll see Medicaid patients, enroll with Kentucky 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 Kentucky licensing & credentialing
On the Rivon platform, your Kentucky license, DEA, and certifications live in one record with always-on monitoring that flags every renewal weeks early — so nothing lapses with the Kentucky Board of Dentistry. 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 Kentucky application end to end — gathering documents, completing verification, and shepherding payer enrollment — while you watch progress in real time.
Kentucky dentist licensing FAQ
How long does it take to get a dental license in Kentucky?
Most Kentucky dentist applications take about 45 days once the Kentucky Board of Dentistry 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 Kentucky?
Dentists in Kentucky are licensed by the Kentucky Board of Dentistry, which verifies education, training, exams, and background before granting a license.
How much is the Kentucky dentist application fee?
As an estimate, the Kentucky dentist application fee is around $325. Fees change and vary by license type — always confirm the current amount directly with the Kentucky Board of Dentistry before you apply.
How do I renew my Kentucky dental license?
In Kentucky, renewals are filed with the Kentucky Board of Dentistry. How to renew: Online through the Kentucky Board of Dentistry Thentia licensee portal (set up an account, then select License Renewal during the renewal period). Renewal cycle: Every 2 years. Deadline: Expires December 31 of odd-numbered years (CE due by the same date); late renewal tiers run January 1 - 31, reinstatement after February 1. Renewal fee: $295 general dental license renewal (late fee: Late renewal/reinstatement $575 (Jan 1-15), $835 (Jan 16-31), $1,415 (after Feb 1)). Continuing education: 30 hours per 2-year license period (at least 20 clinical; at least 10 live interactive). Required topics include At least 20 hours clinical skills and knowledge; At least 10 hours in live interactive format; 3 hours KASPER, pain management or addiction disorders (dentists authorized to prescribe controlled substances); Current CPR certification maintained (does not count toward the 30 hours). 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 Kentucky?
30 CE hours. The Kentucky Board of Dentistry publishes the requirement as: 30 hours per 2-year license period (at least 20 clinical; at least 10 live interactive). Required topics include At least 20 hours clinical skills and knowledge; At least 10 hours in live interactive format; 3 hours KASPER, pain management or addiction disorders (dentists authorized to prescribe controlled substances); Current CPR certification maintained (does not count toward the 30 hours). 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 Kentucky dentist license?
Use the license lookup (verification) tool on the Kentucky Board of Dentistry's official website. It shows whether a license is active and when it expires.
What does dentist credentialing involve in Kentucky?
Credentialing is how health plans and facilities verify your qualifications before you can bill them or practice with them. In Kentucky 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 — Kentucky Medicaid enrollment and Medicare enrollment through PECOS.
Do I need a Kentucky license to practice telehealth there?
Generally yes. Licensure follows where the patient is located, so to treat patients in Kentucky — including by telehealth — you typically need a Kentucky license unless a specific exception applies.
Can Rivon handle Kentucky dentist licensing and credentialing for me?
Yes. On the Rivon platform you can track every Kentucky 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 Kentucky application and payer enrollment end to end.