Getting licensed to practice as a dentist in Texas means applying through the Texas State 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 Texas licensing and credentialing for you.
Official TX boardApply, renew, or look up a license on the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners websiteHow to get licensed in Texas
- 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 Texas State 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, Texas issues your license.
- 05Enroll with payers and keep the license current — track the renewal cycle and CE/CME so it never lapses.
Licensing board
Texas State Board of Dental Examiners
The TX board sets Texas's application, documentation, fees, and renewal requirements.
Board websiteEstimated application fee
$345
An estimate; confirm current fees with the Texas State 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 TX checklist
Get the complete Texas dentist licensing checklist
Every document, form and fee, stage by stage, with links to the official board forms. Emailed to you now.
Renewing your Texas dental license
Once you're licensed, the Texas State 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 2 years
- Deadline
- Must be renewed by midnight on the license's individual expiration date; reminder postcards are mailed 60 days before expiration
- Renewal fee
- $458.50 total ($411 board fee + $5 Texas Online + $2.50 NPDB + $15 PMP + $10 peer assistance), per TSBDE fee schedule (Figure 22 TAC 102.1) posted as proposed Feb 2024 (late fee: $687.75 if 1-90 days late; $917 if 91-364 days late)
- Continuing education (CE)
- 24 hours every 2 years (at least 16 clinical; up to 8 risk management; up to 8 self-study)
- Human trafficking prevention course (HHSC-approved)
- 4 hours safe and effective pain management / opioid and controlled substance prescribing each biennial renewal
- 2 hours prescribing and monitoring controlled substances (DEA registrants)
- Jurisprudence assessment every 4 years (does not count toward 24 hours)
- How to renew
- Online only through the Texas Online Licensing System (paper renewals not accepted since Sept 1, 2024)Open the renewal portal
- NoteCurrent BLS CPR (AHA or American Red Cross) required; CPR and OSHA hours do not count toward CE
- NoteSedation/anesthesia permit holders need current ACLS/PALS; permits renew with separate fees and an anesthesia jurisprudence exam every 5 years
- NoteDSO questionnaire and child support compliance verification at renewal
- NoteFee schedule PDF is labeled proposed (Feb 2024 board meeting); confirm current amount in the portal
Last verified October 3, 2026 from the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners. As published by the board; confirm current requirements before renewing.
SourcesTSBDE Dentist License RenewalTSBDE Dentist Continuing EducationTSBDE Fee Schedule (Figure 22 TAC 102.1, proposed FY2024)
Renewal tracking
Never miss a Texas renewal
Rivon tracks your license expiration, CEhours and DEA, and reminds you before you're due.
Dental credentialing & payer enrollment in Texas
A Texas 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 Texas license exactly.
- 02Complete your CAQH ProView profile: upload your Texas 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 Texas. Each runs its own credentialing review.
- 04If you'll see Medicaid patients, enroll with Texas 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 Texas licensing & credentialing
On the Rivon platform, your Texas license, DEA, and certifications live in one record with always-on monitoring that flags every renewal weeks early — so nothing lapses with the Texas State 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 Texas application end to end — gathering documents, completing verification, and shepherding payer enrollment — while you watch progress in real time.
Texas dentist licensing FAQ
How long does it take to get a dental license in Texas?
Most Texas dentist applications take about 45 days once the Texas State 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 Texas?
Dentists in Texas are licensed by the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners, which verifies education, training, exams, and background before granting a license.
How much is the Texas dentist application fee?
As an estimate, the Texas dentist application fee is around $345. Fees change and vary by license type — always confirm the current amount directly with the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners before you apply.
How do I renew my Texas dental license?
In Texas, renewals are filed with the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners. How to renew: Online only through the Texas Online Licensing System (paper renewals not accepted since Sept 1, 2024). Renewal cycle: Every 2 years. Deadline: Must be renewed by midnight on the license's individual expiration date; reminder postcards are mailed 60 days before expiration. Renewal fee: $458.50 total ($411 board fee + $5 Texas Online + $2.50 NPDB + $15 PMP + $10 peer assistance), per TSBDE fee schedule (Figure 22 TAC 102.1) posted as proposed Feb 2024 (late fee: $687.75 if 1-90 days late; $917 if 91-364 days late). Continuing education: 24 hours every 2 years (at least 16 clinical; up to 8 risk management; up to 8 self-study). Required topics include Human trafficking prevention course (HHSC-approved); 4 hours safe and effective pain management / opioid and controlled substance prescribing each biennial renewal; 2 hours prescribing and monitoring controlled substances (DEA registrants); Jurisprudence assessment every 4 years (does not count toward 24 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 Texas?
24 CE hours. The Texas State Board of Dental Examiners publishes the requirement as: 24 hours every 2 years (at least 16 clinical; up to 8 risk management; up to 8 self-study). Required topics include Human trafficking prevention course (HHSC-approved); 4 hours safe and effective pain management / opioid and controlled substance prescribing each biennial renewal; 2 hours prescribing and monitoring controlled substances (DEA registrants); Jurisprudence assessment every 4 years (does not count toward 24 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 Texas dentist license?
Use the license lookup (verification) tool on the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners's official website. It shows whether a license is active and when it expires.
What does dentist credentialing involve in Texas?
Credentialing is how health plans and facilities verify your qualifications before you can bill them or practice with them. In Texas 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 — Texas Medicaid enrollment and Medicare enrollment through PECOS.
Do I need a Texas license to practice telehealth there?
Generally yes. Licensure follows where the patient is located, so to treat patients in Texas — including by telehealth — you typically need a Texas license unless a specific exception applies.
Can Rivon handle Texas dentist licensing and credentialing for me?
Yes. On the Rivon platform you can track every Texas 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 Texas application and payer enrollment end to end.