2024
Renewal and Reactivation
Dentists are required to renew their licenses every two years, beginning April 1 of each odd-numbered year. In that two-year period, dentists must obtain the necessary credit hours of continuing education and complete any training requirements for their licensure type.
For more information regarding CE and training requirements, please visit the PDA website at: https:// www. padental. org / PDA22 / PDA22 / Continuing _ Education / Licensure / Licensure _ Requirements. aspx
Dentists who fail to renew their license must comply with the following if applying for reactivation:
• Pay the current biennial renewal fee.
• Provide evidence of having current CPR certification.
• Submit a notarized affidavit identifying the period of which in which he / she did not practice dentistry in Pennsylvania.
• Provide evidence of having completed the continuing education requirements for the renewal periods in which the license was not renewed.
Dentists who fail to renew for more than five years may be required to retake a clinical licensing examination.
If an applicant cannot meet the continuing education requirement due to illness, emergency or hardship may apply to the Board in writing for a wavier. The request must explain why compliance is impossible; waivers will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
New Licensees and Renewal
If you obtained your initial license or certificate in the current biennial period, you are exempt from the continuing education hours required to renew your license.
For example, if you obtained your license in June 2022, you obtained you license during the 2021-2023 biennial period, and are exempt from the continuing education hours requirement for the 2023 renewal.
However, there is one notable exception. All licensees and certificate holders are required to complete 2 hours of child abuse recognition and reporting continuing education, regardless of when they received their initial license or certificate to practice. The board will not renew a license or certificate unless they have received an electronic report from an approved course provider verifying course attendance.
Act 35 of 2022- Military and Veterans Licensure
In 2022, the Pennsylvania legislature passed legislation to remove barriers to professional licensing for service members, veterans and their family members. Act 35 is designed to allow an easier and expedited licensing process for professionals that need to relocate, but need a license to continue to provide for their families.
Act 35 also establishes the creation of a Military Occupational Crosswalk in order to help translate military experience into civilian licensure requirements. More information can be found at: https:// www. dos. pa. gov / ProfessionalLicensing / Pages / Military-Occupational-Crosswalk-( Act35-2022). aspx.
2024