[ DATA ]License renewal requirements
Dentists license renewal by state
How often a dental license renews, when it's due, what it costs and how much CE the board asks for, in 51 US jurisdictions. Of these, 37 every 2 years, 9 every year, 5 every 3 years. Every row comes from the board's own published pages, with a source link and the date we checked it.
Checked between October 3, 2026 and November 11, 2026. Boards change fees and rules; confirm with the board before renewing.
| State | Renews | Deadline | Renewal fee | CE | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama Board of Dental Examiners of Alabama | Every year (annual registration) | 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 | $350 dental annual registration fee Late: 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 | 20 hours every year, at least 10 hours in-person live | Alabama Admin. Code 270-X-2-.07 Annual Registration for Dentists Checked October 3, 2026 |
| Alaska Alaska Board of Dental Examiners | Every 2 years | Expires February 28 of odd-numbered years (current period March 1, 2025 to February 28, 2027); no grace period. The division sends one renewal notice by email or mail at least 30 days before expiration (08-4159 and 08-4132 General Information); failing to receive it does not excuse a late renewal | $450 full-term biennial renewal ($225 prorated for licenses first issued in the second year of the period) | 32 contact hours every 2 years, plus current CPR | Alaska Dental License Renewal application, form 08-4132 (Rev. 04/01/2026; March 1, 2025 - February 28, 2027; $450 / $225 prorated; renewal notice at least 30 days before expiration) Checked November 3, 2026 |
| Arizona Arizona State Board of Dental Examiners | Every 3 years | Renewal application and fee due by the last day of your birth month every third year; the license expires 30 days after that birth month | $650 triennial renewal ($15 retired or disabled status) Late: $100 late renewal penalty (applications received or postmarked after the expiration date) | 63 hours every 3-year renewal period | A.R.S. 32-1236 Renewal of license Checked November 3, 2026 |
| Arkansas Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners | Every 2 years | Renew by January 1 of even-numbered years (renewal forms go out in December of odd-numbered years); a license not renewed within 30 days after January 1 is forfeited | $300 dentist renewal (Board Rules Art. XXV.B); reinstatement is $200 plus the renewal fee Late: Relicensing after forfeiture: all accrued renewal fees plus a $200 penalty; after 2 years, a clinical re-examination is also required | 50 hours every 2-year reporting period, plus Healthcare Provider-level CPR | Arkansas Dental Practice Act, Rules and Regulations (May 2025), A.C.A. 17-82-310 to 17-82-312; Rules Art. XXV fees Checked November 3, 2026 |
| California Dental Board of California | Every 2 years | Expires on the last day of your birth month; born in an even-numbered year renew in even years, odd-numbered year in odd years | $680 active dentist renewal (includes the $15-a-year CURES fee); $650 inactive; $355 reduced fee for qualifying licensees (B&P 1716.1) Late: $325 delinquent fee (charged once the renewal is more than 30 days late); $162 on the reduced fee | 50 units every 2 years, including mandatory courses (none due at the first renewal) | Dental Board of California - Registered Dentist Renewal Information Checked October 17, 2026 |
| Colorado Colorado Dental Board | Every 2 years | All Colorado dentist licenses expire February 28 of even-numbered years (February 29 in leap years). Renewal opens about 4-5 weeks before the expiration date. | Not published Late: Not published. After expiration the dentist may not practice and must file the 'Dentist - Reinstatement of an Expired license' application | 30 hours each 2-year license period. The first renewal needs none if licensed 12 months or less before the first expiration, or 15 hours if licensed 12-24 months before | Colorado Dental Board - Dental Applications and Forms (license expiration and renewal information) Checked November 11, 2026 |
| Connecticut Connecticut State Dental Commission | Every year | Expires at the end of the birth month each year (first expiration is the first birth month after issuance); renewal notice is emailed about 60 days before and a final notice about 30 days after expiration. 90-day grace period after expiration (CGS 19a-88(f)) during which the dentist may practice and renew, then the license is void and needs reinstatement | $575 | 25 contact hours every 2 years (preceding 24-month period) | CT DPH - Dentist Licensing (renewal fee $575) Checked November 3, 2026 |
| Delaware Delaware Board of Dentistry and Dental Hygiene | Every 2 years | Expires May 31 of even-numbered years (renewal period June 1 to May 31); renewal notice is emailed a few months before | Not published Late: Late fee of 50% of the renewal fee; late renewal allowed up to 1 year after expiration | 50 hours of approved CPE every 2 years, plus current CPR | Delaware Board of Dentistry - License Renewal Checked November 3, 2026 |
| District of Columbia District of Columbia Board of Dentistry | Every 2 years | Moving to birth-month renewal (effective June 16, 2024): the license expires on the last day of the birth month, in odd years if born in an odd year and even years if born in an even year. The regulation's default expiration was December 31 of odd-numbered years | $254 renewal plus the mandatory $50 criminal background check (name search), per 17 DCMR 3500.1 Late: $85 late renewal fee (17 DCMR 3500.1); reinstatement $370 | 30 hours in the 2 years before the license expires, plus current CPR | DC Health - Board of Dentistry (Dentistry Licensing) Checked November 1, 2026 |
| Florida Florida Board of Dentistry | Every 2 years (biennium March 1 - February 28 of even years) | Expires February 28 of even-numbered years at midnight ET (current licenses expire February 28, 2028); online renewal opens up to 90 days before | $305 active-to-active renewal, plus a $43.25 fingerprint retention fee when Livescan retention expires during the cycle Late: Delinquent renewal $355 through March 31 after expiration, $455 thereafter, $760 if 120-day notified delinquent (active-to-active) | 30 hours per biennium (28 general + 2 hours prevention of medical errors) plus current live CPR | Florida Board of Dentistry - Dentist Renewal Checked November 3, 2026 |
| Georgia Georgia Board of Dentistry | Every 2 years | Expires at the close of December 31 of odd-numbered years regardless of issue date; late renewal January 1 - June 30 of the following even year; administratively revoked July 1 if not renewed | $260 biennial renewal (fee schedule effective April 9, 2021) Late: $525 biennial late renewal fee; reinstatement $1,675 | 40 hours every 2 years, at least 30 clinical and at least 20 in person | Georgia Board of Dentistry - Dental FAQs Checked October 17, 2026 |
| Hawaii Hawaii Board of Dentistry | Every 2 years | Expires December 31 of odd-numbered years (next: December 31, 2027) regardless of issue date; the 2025 renewal window ran November 3 - December 31 | $308 active dentist; $388 with anesthesia privilege; $12 inactive Late: Unrenewed licenses are forfeited; restoration within 2 years needs a hard-copy restoration application, renewal, penalty and CRF fees, and the full CE | 38 hours per biennium (32 CE + 6 ethics; at least 17 clinical, 1-4 hours BLS); prorated for newer licensees | Hawaii Board of Dentistry Checked November 1, 2026 |
| Idaho Idaho State Board of Dentistry | Every 2 years, on the licensee's birth date (transitioning from August 2026) | Expires on the licensee's birthday; current dentists had to renew by September 30, 2026, then move to a birth-date expiration in 2028, 2029 or 2030 depending on birth year and renewal timing | $0 - DOPL fee holiday (from January 1, 2026) waives the renewal fee for Board of Dentistry licenses renewed on or before expiration; sedation permits excluded Late: $50 late fee (DOPL Board of Dentistry fee table effective July 1, 2026); the license is canceled if the renewal, fee and late fee are not filed within 30 days of expiration (Idaho Code 54-920(4)) | 30 oral health/health-related CE hours per renewal (verifiable CE or volunteer practice) | Idaho DOPL - Board of Dentistry renewal cycle changes Checked November 3, 2026 |
| Illinois Illinois Board of Dentistry | Every 3 years | Expires September 30 every 3 years (next September 30, 2027); renew during the month before expiration | $300 ($100 per year) Late: Renewal within 90 days after expiration needs an additional fee (amount not in the rules); restoration (other than from inactive) is $50 plus all lapsed renewal fees | 48 hours every 3 years (the 36 months before September 30 of the renewal year); not required for the first renewal | IDFPR - Dental Professions (renewal links and notes) Checked November 3, 2026 |
| Indiana Indiana State Board of Dentistry | Every 2 years | Expires March 1 of even-numbered years; renewal notices sent about 90 days before expiration | $100 Late: $350 to renew a license expired 3+ years (no separate late fee published on the board page) | 20 hours every 2 years, at least half in live presentations or workshops | Indiana PLA - Dentistry Licensing Information Checked November 3, 2026 |
| Iowa Iowa Dental Board | Every 2 years | Expires August 31 of even-numbered years; late renewal through October 31; lapses November 1 if not renewed | $315 biennial dental license renewal Late: $100 late fee if renewed September 1-30; $150 if renewed October 1-31 (plus renewal fee); after that the license lapses and requires reinstatement ($511: $150 + $315 + $46 background check) | 30 hours every 2 years (CE period September 1 - August 31) | Iowa DIAL - Dentists Checked November 3, 2026 |
| Kansas Kansas Dental Board | Every 2 years (staggered by license number: even-numbered licenses renew in even years, odd in odd years) | Expires December 1 of the renewal year; renewal with penalty fee February 1 - March 1; license automatically canceled if not renewed before March 1 of the following year (K.S.A. 65-1431) | Not published Late: Penalty fee (statute caps it at $500) for renewals between February 1 and March 1; $200 penalty fee to reinstate a canceled license (K.A.R. 71-1-20) | 60 hours since the last renewal including 2 hours ethics (30 hours on the first renewal) | K.S.A. 65-1431 - Renewal of license; continuing education; penalty fee Checked November 11, 2026 |
| Kentucky Kentucky Board of Dentistry | Every 2 years | Expires December 31 of odd-numbered years (CE due by the same date); late renewal tiers run January 1 - 31, reinstatement after February 1 | $295 general dental license renewal Late: Late renewal/reinstatement $575 (Jan 1-15), $835 (Jan 16-31), $1,415 (after Feb 1) | 30 hours per 2-year license period (at least 20 clinical; at least 10 live interactive) | Kentucky Board of Dentistry - Fees Checked October 3, 2026 |
| Louisiana Louisiana State Board of Dentistry | Every 2 years | Expires December 31 at the end of the biennial period (current cycle ends December 31, 2026); online payment must be completed by 11:59 PM December 31 (paper postmarked by December 31) to avoid a late/delinquent fee | $590 biennial dentist license renewal (board fee page; LAC 46:XXXIII §415 still lists $540) Late: $250 delinquency fee in addition to the renewal fee (LAC 46:XXXIII §415); $500 reinstatement of a license lapsed by non-renewal | 30 hours every 2-year renewal period (20 personally attended clinical + 10 clinical that may be online/correspondence with exam) | LSBD - Licensee Login / renewals Checked October 3, 2026 |
| Maine Maine Board of Dental Practice | Every 2 years | Biennial license term runs January 1 of even-numbered years to December 31 of odd-numbered years; renew on or before expiration (renewal opens about 60 days before, e.g. October 31 for a December 31 expiration) | $750 (2-year dentist license, initial and renewal) Late: $100 late renewal fee within 90 days of expiration (plus renewal fee); between 91 days and 2 years requires reinstatement at initial fees | 40 credit hours per biennial license term plus current BLS certification | Maine Board of Dental Practice - Licensing FAQs Checked October 3, 2026 |
| Maryland Maryland State Board of Dental Examiners | Every 2 years | Expires June 30 of the second year after licensure (2026 renewal period May 1 - June 30, 2026); applications received July 1-31 pay a late fee, and from August 1 the license must be reinstated | $560 (COMAR 10.44.20.02); the 2026 dentist renewal application showed $586 (likely includes an added user fee); inactive status $150 per COMAR ($176 on the 2026 form) Late: $300 for renewals submitted July 1-31; reinstatement $860 after that (COMAR 10.44.20.02 and the 2026 Reinstatement Application) | 30 hours per 2-year renewal cycle (at least 13 in person or live webinar; up to 17 self-study) | COMAR 10.44.20.02 Fee Schedule Checked October 3, 2026 |
| Massachusetts Massachusetts Board of Registration in Dentistry | Every 2 years | All dental licenses, anesthesia permits and facility permits expire and are renewed together by March 31 of even-numbered years | $360 dental license renewal (anesthesia and facility permits renewed in the same transaction) Late: $57 per late license renewal, in addition to the renewal fee | 40 CEUs during the 24 months preceding March 31 of even-numbered years; not required in the first licensure cycle | Mass.gov - Renew your dental license and permits Checked October 17, 2026 |
| Michigan Michigan Board of Dentistry | Every 3 years | Renew in MiPLUS on or before the expiration date shown on the license; renewal opens about 90 days before expiration, when LARA sends a renewal notice | $296.40 dentist renewal; $248.10 controlled substance renewal (the CS license renews with the dentist license unless 'renew CS' is unchecked) | 60 hours every 3-year license cycle (at least 20 synchronous live hours; no more than 30 asynchronous) | LARA - Michigan Dentist Licensing Guide and FAQ (revision 1/26/2026), Renewal Requirements Checklist Checked November 3, 2026 |
| Minnesota Minnesota Board of Dentistry | Every 2 years | Expires the last day of the licensee's birth month in even-numbered years (even birth year) or odd-numbered years (odd birth year); renewal fee must be paid by the last day of the birth month; license is administratively terminated if not renewed within 30 days after expiration | $475 biennial renewal (dentist or full faculty dentist; Minn. Stat. 150A.091) Late: 25% of the biennial renewal fee for renewals received after the deadline | 50 hours of professional development per biennial cycle (at least 30 fundamental, no more than 20 elective) | Minn. R. 3100.1700 Terms and Renewal of Licensure Checked October 3, 2026 |
| Mississippi Mississippi State Board of Dental Examiners | Every 2 years (dentists renew in odd-numbered years) | Renewal window September 1 - October 31 of odd-numbered years; penalty period November 1 - December 31; licenses not renewed by December 31 are voided January 1 | 2025-2027 dentist renewal: $400 dental license + $50 impaired practitioner (PHN) fee = $450 for the biennium (Regulation 37 lists $200 and $25 per year); dental specialty +$250; each Class I/II/III anesthesia permit +$300; no reduced fee for inactive/retired status Late: $50 penalty (November 1-30) or $100 penalty (December 1-31), plus the renewal fee | 40 hours per biennial period (January 1 of even year - December 31 of odd year) | MSBDE - License Renewal FAQ Checked November 3, 2026 |
| Missouri Missouri Dental Board | Every 2 years | Expires November 30 of each even-numbered year (renewal period runs December 1 - November 30); renewal must be submitted on or before the expiration date | $150 biennial dentist license renewal (20 CSR 2110-2.170) Late: $100 renewal penalty fee (plus renewal fee); an expired license can be renewed within 4 years with penalty fee and CE | 50 hours every 2 years (at least 40 directly related to patient treatment, health and safety) | Missouri Dental Board home Checked October 3, 2026 |
| Montana Montana Board of Dentistry | Every year (CE tracked on a 3-year cycle) | Expires March 1 every year (ARM 24.101.413); a lapsed license can still be renewed within 45 days, an expired one within 2 years with the late penalty; after 2 years it terminates (ARM 24.101.408) | $230 active dentist renewal per ARM 24.138.402(6) (effective 9/21/2024), plus the $30 annual Montana Prescription Drug Registry fee every active dental licensee pays; the Board's paper form ($153 + $30 = $183, possibly a fee abatement under ARM 24.101.301) and FAQ ($306) conflict, so confirm in the portal Late: Late penalty of 100% of the renewal fee after March 1 (ARM 24.101.403(2)) | 60 hours per 3-year cycle (cycles started in 2015), not required until the first full year of licensure; random audits | Mont. Admin. R. 24.138.402 Fee Schedule Checked November 3, 2026 |
| Nebraska Nebraska Board of Dentistry | Every 2 years | Expires March 1 of odd-numbered years (next: 3/1/2027); renewal must be submitted/postmarked on or before March 1 or the license expires and must be reinstated | $165 (active status, per the 2025 DHHS dentistry renewal notice) | 30 hours during the 24 months before March 1 of each odd-numbered year; max 10 hours home study | Nebraska DHHS - Dentist licensure page Checked October 3, 2026 |
| Nevada Nevada State Board of Dental Examiners | Every 2 years | Renew by June 30 of each odd-numbered year (next: 6/30/2027); no grace period - unrenewed licenses are suspended, and revoked after one year | $600 biennial renewal (general or specialist dentist license) Late: No grace period; reinstatement of a suspended license is $300 ($500 if revoked) | 40 hours every 2 years: at least 30 clinical, at least 20 live instruction; hours do not carry over | Nevada State Board of Dental Examiners - Dentist Licenses & Permits Checked November 3, 2026 |
| New Hampshire New Hampshire Board of Dental Examiners | Every 2 years | License expires 2 years from the date it was issued; complete renewal application, fee and documents must be filed on or before the expiration date (Plc 308.01) | $215 (active license, 2-year renewal: $187 Plc 1002.11 fee + $28 Professionals Health Program fee, per OPLC fee page 2026-11-11) | 40 CEUs per biennium, at least 30 in clinical dental care subjects | NH Admin. Rules Den 100-500 (Den 401 renewal, Den 406.03 CE) Checked October 3, 2026 |
| New Jersey New Jersey State Board of Dentistry | Every 2 years | Biennial period runs November 1 to October 31 of odd-numbered years; renew by October 31 of odd-numbered years (current period ends 10/31/2027) | $390 (active license renewal, N.J.A.C. 13:30-8.1(b)); branch office renewal $90 Late: $100 late fee (reinstatement fee $200 if suspended for non-renewal) | 40 hours in the biennial period, including 10 mandatory hours; distance learning capped at 20 hours; up to 7 extra credits carry over (not the opioid hour) | NJ Board of Dentistry - Continuing Education Requirements notice Checked October 17, 2026 |
| New Mexico New Mexico Board of Dental Health Care | Every 3 years | Licenses expire every three years on June 30; renewal must be postmarked on or before July 1 of the renewal year (initial licenses expire July 1 in the third year of licensure) | $550 triennial renewal plus $30 impairment fee Late: $100 late fee after July 1 through September 1, plus $10/day cumulative late fee from August 1 | 60 hours per 3-year renewal cycle; max 30 hours online/webinar/self-study | 16.5.11 NMAC - Dentists, License Expiration and Renewal Checked October 3, 2026 |
| New York New York State Board for Dentistry | Every 3 years (triennial registration) | Registration expires at the end of the licensee's individual 3-year registration period (periods may be shortened to align with birth month); renewal documents mailed about 4 months before expiration and online renewal opens when 5 or fewer months remain | $287 ($242 registration, including 15% surcharge, + $45 continuing education fee) | 60 contact hours every 3-year registration period (at least 42 hours live) | NYSED OP - Dentist CE Q&A Checked November 3, 2026 |
| North Carolina North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners | Every year | Due January 1 each year; may be renewed without penalty through January 31; license becomes void if not renewed by March 31. Online renewal opens November 1 | $329 Late: $50 penalty after January 31 (cannot be waived) | 15 hours every year (January-December), courses directly related to patient care | NC State Board of Dental Examiners - License Renewal Checked November 3, 2026 |
| North Dakota North Dakota State Board of Dental Examiners | Every 2 years | Expires December 31 of odd-numbered years (next: 12/31/2027); online late renewal possible until end of February, paper renewal with late fee until March 1 to avoid cancellation | $500 biennial renewal fee plus $75 Professional Health Program fee at each renewal Late: $500 late fee | 32 hours every 2 years; no more than 16 hours self-study (at least half live/real-time) | ND Board of Dental Examiners - Dentist License Renewal Checked October 3, 2026 |
| Ohio Ohio State Dental Board | Every 2 years (biennial registration) | Per current ORC 4715.14, a license expires two years from its date of issuance and may be registered for additional two-year periods; a three-month grace period follows the renewal date before disciplinary action may begin | $312 biennial registration fee Late: $127 late renewal fee within the 3-month grace period; reinstatement $312 from inactive/retired or $693 from expired status (needs 30 CE hours, jurisprudence exam, hepatitis B proof and new fingerprints) | 30 hours every 2 years | ORC 4715.14 Biennial registration Checked November 3, 2026 |
| Oklahoma Oklahoma State Board of Dentistry | Every year (annual license renewal); CE is reported on a 2-year cycle | License expires December 31 each year (2027 renewal: expires December 31, 2026); must be postmarked/renewed by December 31 to avoid the late fee | $200 annual dentist license renewal (plus $20 per owner per registered professional entity/trade name, if applicable) Late: $200 late fee if not renewed/postmarked by December 31 ($400 total) | 40 hours per 2-year CE period (current period July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2027), max 50% online | Oklahoma Board of Dentistry - Renewals Checked October 3, 2026 |
| Oregon Oregon Board of Dentistry | Every 2 years | Renewal fee and online application due by March 31 every other year (odd or even years, matching the year first licensed) | $490 biennial dental license fee (OAR 818-001-0087, amended effective December 1, 2025) Late: $50 penalty if expired 30 days or less; $100 if expired 31-60 days; after 60 days the license must be reinstated ($150 penalty, back renewal fees and a $500 reinstatement fee) (OAR 818-021-0085) | 40 hours every 2-year renewal cycle | Oregon Board of Dentistry - Continuing Education Checked October 9, 2026 |
| Pennsylvania Pennsylvania State Board of Dentistry | Every 2 years (biennial) | Expires March 31 of every odd-numbered year; renewal opens about 60 days before expiration (PALS email notice) | $366 | 30 hours of Board-approved CE per biennium (April 1 to March 31), plus 2 hours child abuse reporter training and 2 hours opioid CE | PA State Board of Dentistry - Renewal Information Checked October 3, 2026 |
| Rhode Island Rhode Island Board of Examiners in Dentistry | Every 2 years (biennial) | Licenses expire June 30 of even-numbered years; renewal application should be filed before May 1 of each even-numbered year; licenses not renewed by July 1 are automatically revoked | $965 biennial dentist renewal Late: $90 reinstatement fee added to the base renewal fee | 40 hours every 2 years | 216-RICR-40-05-2 Licensing of Dentists and Dental Hygienists Checked November 3, 2026 |
| South Carolina South Carolina Board of Dentistry | Every 2 years (biennial) | Renewal window opens about October 15 of even-numbered years; renew by December 31 for the standard fee; final deadline March 1 of the following (odd) year (current cycle: opens ~Oct 15, 2026, deadline March 1, 2027) | $280 if renewed by December 31 of the even year Late: $560 if renewed January 1-31 of the odd year; $560 plus $5/day February 1 - March 1; after March 1 a reinstatement application is required ($75 application + $500 reinstatement) | 28 hours every 2 years (14 per year); at least 50% live/in-person | SC Board of Dentistry - Renewals Checked October 3, 2026 |
| South Dakota South Dakota State Board of Dentistry | Every year (annual renewal); CE tracked over a 5-year licensure cycle | Renew by July 1 each year; board mails notice at least 30 days before; license is automatically suspended if not renewed by July 1 | $220 ($200 annual registration fee + $20 continuing education fee) | 100 hours per 5-year licensure cycle (at least 50 academic) | SD Board of Dentistry - Continuing Education Overview Checked October 3, 2026 |
| Tennessee Tennessee Board of Dentistry | Every 2 years | Expires the last day of the dentist's birth month; even-year births renew in even years, odd-year births in odd years. Renewal notices go out about 45 days before expiration. | $197.50 ($187.50 renewal + $10 state regulatory fee) per published Rule 0460-01-.02; the fee rule effective 11/18/2026 raises renewal to $525 (per the April 2026 notice) Late: Reinstatement $562.50 plus all current and past-due renewal fees ($563 under the fee rule effective 11/18/2026); reinstatement requires PH-3870 and cannot be done online | 40 hours per two-calendar-year cycle (January 1 of an odd year to December 31 of an even year) | TN Board of Dentistry (CE requirements and FAQs) Checked November 3, 2026 |
| Texas Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (TSBDE) | Every 2 years | Must be renewed by midnight on the license's individual expiration date; reminder postcards are mailed 60 days before expiration | $458.50 total ($411 board fee + $5 Texas.gov + $2.50 NPDB + $15 PMP + $10 peer assistance), per the Figure 22 TAC §102.1 fee table Late: $687.75 if 1-90 days late; $917 if 91-364 days late | 24 hours every 2 years (at least 16 clinical; up to 8 risk management; up to 8 self-study) | TSBDE Dentist License Renewal Checked October 3, 2026 |
| Utah Utah Dentist and Dental Hygienist Licensing Board | Every 2 years | Expires May 31 of even-numbered years | $73 (DOPL fee schedule, dentist renewal) Late: $20 late renewal fee; $50 reinstatement fee | 30 hours every 2-year licensure period | Utah DOPL - Renew a Dentist License Checked November 3, 2026 |
| Vermont Vermont Board of Dental Examiners | Every 2 years (fixed biennial period) | Expires September 30 of odd-numbered years; license becomes inactive if not renewed by midnight on the expiration date | $655 Late: Reinstatement penalty fees apply to late renewals (3 V.S.A. 127(d)); waivers can be requested online | 30 hours every 2 years, including emergency office procedures and CPR | VT OPR Initial Licensing/Renewal Fees & Dates (updated 7/1/2025) Checked November 3, 2026 |
| Virginia Virginia Board of Dentistry | Every year | Renews annually in the dentist's birth month; an additional late fee applies if the form and fee are not received by the deadline | $285 (active dental license) Late: $100 late fee (active license) | 15 hours per annual renewal (not required for the first renewal after initial licensure) | 18VAC60-21-240 Renewal Checked October 3, 2026 |
| Washington Washington Dental Quality Assurance Commission (DQAC) | Every year (CE reported on a 3-year cycle) | Expires on the dentist's birthday each year; may be renewed within 90 days before expiration | $435 (includes $70 Washington Physician Health Program surcharge) Late: $185 late renewal penalty | 63 hours every 3 years, attested at annual renewal | WA DOH Dentist fees Checked October 17, 2026 |
| West Virginia West Virginia Board of Dentistry | Every year (CE reported every 2 years, in even-numbered years) | Annual renewal due by February 1; CE documentation due February 1 of even-numbered years (next February 1, 2028) | $167 annual information & renewal fee Late: Penalty equal to the renewal fee ($167) if not renewed by the renewal date; a late CE penalty may also apply | 35 hours every 2 years | WV Board of Dentistry FAQ Checked October 3, 2026 |
| Wisconsin Wisconsin Dentistry Examining Board | Every 2 years | Expires September 30 of odd-numbered years; online renewal opens about 4 weeks before expiration | $74 Late: $25 late fee if renewed after the expiration date | 30 hours every 2 years (at least 25 in clinical dentistry or medicine) | WI DSPS Dentist profession page Checked October 3, 2026 |
| Wyoming Wyoming Board of Dental Examiners | Every 2 years | Expires December 31 of odd-numbered years; renewals accepted October 1 - December 31; grace period January 1 - March 31 (may not practice until renewed) | $250 biennial renewal per Rule Ch. 10 Sec. 4 (effective May 26, 2026; cut from $350), but the Board's renewal form (revised 7/2026) still prints $350, so confirm before mailing Late: $370 late renewal (Jan 1 - Mar 31, Rule Ch. 10 Sec. 4); the license lapses April 1 and then needs a Dentist Relicensure application ($370) | 16 hours every 2 years | WY Board of Dental Examiners - Renewal & Relicensure Checked November 3, 2026 |
Questions
How often do dentists have to renew their license?
It depends on the state. Of the 51 jurisdictions in this table, 37 every 2 years, 9 every year, 5 every 3 years. These are the cycles each board publishes (verified between October 3, 2026 and November 11, 2026); confirm with the board before renewing.
How many CE hours does a dentist need to renew?
51 of 51 boards state a CE hour total. The CE period doesn't always match the license cycle, so compare each board's own wording. The highest stated totals are South Dakota (100 hours per 5-year licensure cycle (at least 50 academic)); Arizona (63 hours every 3-year renewal period); Washington (63 hours every 3 years, attested at annual renewal). See the table for every state.
Can a dentist hold licenses in more than one state?
Yes. Each state issues and renews its own license on its own cycle, fee and CE rules, so a dentist licensed in several states has several renewal dates to track. Rivon Health tracks every license and its expiration date and alerts the team before each one is due.
Where does this renewal data come from?
Each row is taken from the licensing board's own published pages, linked in the Source column with the date we last checked it (between October 3, 2026 and November 11, 2026). Boards change fees and rules, so treat this as a starting point and confirm with the board before renewing.
Next step
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