Dentist Licensure Requirements in Maine

The ADA lists the American Board of Dental Examiners (ADEX) examination as administered by CDCA-WREB-CITA, together with CRDTS and SRTA, as the accepted clinical examinations for Maine.

The Board requires candidates to take and pass all sections of the examination: Diagnostic Skills, Prosthodontic, Endodontic, Restorative (live patient cases, or the Board-approved CompeDont™ Tooth alternative effective 4/17/2020), and Periodontal (live patient cases, or the Board-approved manikin-based alternative effective 6/12/2020).

Section 18341 requires every applicant to submit an application with the required fee, be at least 18 years old, complete any additional requested materials within 90 days of notice, and provide evidence of basic life support certification.

Section 18342 requires verification of a doctoral degree in dentistry from a CODA-accredited program (or the board's determined educational equivalent) and verification of passing all examinations the board requires.

Board Regulations Chapter 6 add specifics: a doctoral degree such as a D.M.D. or D.D.S. from a CODA-accredited school, passing all parts of the National Dental Board Examination, passing all sections of a regional or state dental board examination approved by the Board, and passing the Board's own jurisprudence examination with a grade of 90 percent.

Section 18347 lets the Board, at its discretion, waive examination requirements and issue a license to an applicant who is licensed in good standing under the laws of another state, a U.S. territory, a foreign nation or a foreign administrative division, provided the applicant meets Section 18341's general requirements.

Board Regulations Chapter 11 sets two qualifying paths: a 'substantially equivalent license' path, requiring proof of a substantially equivalent valid license actively held for the three consecutive years immediately before applying, documentation of the laws of every jurisdiction practiced in during that period, a resume or CV with verifiable references, and current BLS certification; and a 'substantially similar qualifications' path, requiring proof of current licensure plus all application materials required for initial licensure, and current BLS certification.

Section 18349 governs renewal: licenses expire on dates the commissioner sets, can be renewed up to 90 days after expiration with a late fee, and applications for reinstatement filed more than 90 days but within two years after expiration may have the examination waived at the Board's discretion.

Section 18350 conditions renewal on current BLS certification and completed continuing education.

Board Regulations Chapter 13 sets the requirement at 40 credit hours directly related to dental practice per biennial license term (January 1 of even years through December 31 of odd years), with at least 3 of those hours on opioid prescribing for those who prescribe opioids and at least 6 hours on sedation/anesthesia for those holding a sedation permit.

First-time renewals require only half the standard hours, documentation must be retained for two years post-renewal, and renewal applicants are subject to random or cause-based audit.