Learn About The Law
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
Current as of January 01, 2026 | Updated by Findlaw Staff
To qualify for a license as a dentist, an applicant shall fulfill the following requirements:
(1) Application: file an application with the department;
(2) Education: have received an education, including a doctoral degree in dentistry, in accordance with the commissioner's regulations;
(3) Experience: have experience satisfactory to the board and in accordance with the commissioner's regulations, provided that such experience shall consist of satisfactory completion of a postdoctoral general practice or specialty dental residency program, of at least one year's duration, in a hospital or dental facility accredited for teaching purposes by a national accrediting body approved by the department, provided, further that any such residency program shall include a formal outcome assessment evaluation of the resident's competence to practice dentistry acceptable to the department;
(4) Examination: pass a written examination satisfactory to the board and in accordance with the commissioner's regulations;
(5) Age: be at least twenty-one years of age;
(6) Citizenship or immigration status: be a United States citizen or a noncitizen lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States; provided, however, that the board of regents may grant a three year waiver for a noncitizen to practice in an area which has been designated a federal dental health professions shortage area, except that the board of regents may grant an additional extension not to exceed six years to a noncitizen to enable him or her to secure citizenship or permanent resident status, provided such status is being actively pursued;
(7) Character: be of good moral character as determined by the department; and
(8) Fees: pay a fee of two hundred twenty dollars to the department for admission to a department conducted examination and for an initial license, a fee of one hundred fifteen dollars for each reexamination, a fee of one hundred thirty-five dollars for an initial license for persons not requiring admission to a department conducted examination, and a fee of two hundred ten dollars for each triennial registration period.
Cite this article: FindLaw.com - New York Consolidated Laws, Education Law - EDN § 6604. Requirements for a license as a dentist - last updated January 01, 2026 | https://codes.findlaw.com/ny/education-law/edn-sect-6604/
FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature before relying on it for your legal needs.
A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes, visit FindLaw’s Learn About the Law.
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
Search our directory by legal issue
Enter information in one or both fields (Required)