Dentist Licensure Requirements in New Hampshire

The ADA's compilation for New Hampshire lists two accepted clinical examinations: the American Board of Dental Examiners (ADEX) exam as administered by CDCA-WREB-CITA, and CRDTS+SRTA.

It records that anyone who has taken and passed the ADEX exam, or a similar U.S. regional or state board clinical exam for dentists that includes a clinical periodontal/scaling component, within the 3 years immediately before completing New Hampshire's licensure process is considered for licensure by examination.

RSA 317-A:8 requires an application to the office of professional licensure and certification, satisfactory proof that the applicant graduated from a dental school accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), and that the applicant be of good professional character and at least 18 years old; RSA 317-A:8-a separately requires a fingerprint-based criminal history records check.

RSA 317-A:9 requires the applicant to pass an examination as determined by the board, or a national or regional test the board has approved, and bars a license from issuing to anyone who does not pass.

Administrative rule Den 301.02 details the application package — including grade cards showing passage of the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations and the ADEX (or equivalent) clinical exam, an official dental school transcript, character statements, the criminal offender record check, and the required fee — and Den 302.04(a) requires that clinical exam, including a periodontal/scaling component, to have been completed within the 3 years before the licensing process is finished, unless the applicant is instead seeking licensure by endorsement.

After OPLC approves the application, Den 303.03 requires the applicant to pass an open-book jurisprudence exam on the Dental Practice Act (RSA 317-A) and its rules, with a passing score of 75% or higher, before an active license issues; an applicant who holds a DEA registration to prescribe schedule II-IV controlled substances must also register with New Hampshire's prescription drug monitoring program within 90 days of licensure.

New Hampshire has two credentials pathways.

RSA 317-A:7-a lets the board consider licensure by endorsement for an applicant who holds a current, unrestricted license and registration to practice dentistry in another jurisdiction and who, for the 3 years immediately before applying, has practiced clinical dentistry in one or more states, been in dental specialty training, been in active military service as a dentist, or some combination of these.

RSA 317-A:24 separately lets the board license any applicant already licensed in another state whose licensing requirements are substantially equivalent to or higher than New Hampshire's.

Endorsement applicants still complete the Universal Application package and the jurisprudence exam, but Den 302.04(a) exempts them from the rule that the ADEX (or equivalent) clinical exam must have been taken within the 3 years before licensure.

Den 302.04(b) requires a dentist who announces a specialization or limitation of practice to adhere to section 5-H of the American Dental Association's Principles of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct, as amended 2016.

Den 302.04(c) lets a dentist announce diplomate status granted by a bona fide national organization not recognized by the ADA as a certifying board, based on that organization's own postgraduate-education and examination standards, but a general dentist who makes such an announcement must also state that they are a general dentist.

Den 302.04(d) requires dentists who wish to perform botulinum toxin or dermal filler procedures to complete at least 8 hours of hands-on training before performing them.

RSA 317-A:31 requires every advertisement of dental services, including those for a practice operating under a trade name, to name the dentist and prominently state whether they are a general dentist or, if qualified, a specialist in the named area.

Licenses renew biennially under RSA 317-A:13, and licensees must notify the office of professional licensure and certification in writing within 30 days of any change of business or residential address.

Den 403.03(b) requires an active New Hampshire dentist to complete a minimum of 40 CEUs (continuing education units) per biennium, with at least 30 CEUs in clinical dental care subjects — including successful completion of a BLS-HCP course — and at least 2 CEUs in infection control covering CDC infection-prevention guidelines.

A licensee registered to prescribe schedule II-IV controlled substances must also complete 3 CEUs in pain management or addiction disorder, or an equivalent online exam, as a condition of renewal.

The first biennial renewal after initial licensure is exempt from the CE requirement, excess CEUs do not carry forward to the next biennium, and the board randomly audits at least 3 percent of active licensees each biennium for compliance.