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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>72802</law_id><section_number>54.1-2709</section_number><catch_line>License; application; qualifications; examinations</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>32.1-276.6</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="54.1">Professions and Occupations</unit><unit label="subtitle" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="III">Professions and Occupations Regulated by Boards Within the Department of Health Professions</unit><unit label="chapter" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="27">Dentistry</unit><unit label="article" level="4" order_by="1" identifier="2">Licensure of Dentists</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> No person shall practice <span class="dictionary">dentistry</span> unless he possesses a current valid <span class="dictionary">license</span> from the <span class="dictionary">Board</span> of <span class="dictionary">Dentistry</span>. <a id="paragraph-262304" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-2709/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> An application for such <span class="dictionary">license</span> shall be made to the <span class="dictionary">Board</span> in writing and shall be accompanied by satisfactory proof that the applicant (i) is of good moral character; (ii) is a graduate of an accredited dental school or college, or dental department of an institution of higher education; (iii) has passed all parts of the examination given by the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations; (iv) has successfully completed a clinical examination acceptable to the <span class="dictionary">Board</span>; and (v) has met other qualifications as determined in regulations promulgated by the <span class="dictionary">Board</span>. <a id="paragraph-262305" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-2709/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> The <span class="dictionary">Board</span> may grant a <span class="dictionary">license to practice dentistry</span> to an applicant licensed to practice in another <span class="dictionary">jurisdiction</span> if he (i) meets the requirements of subsection B; (ii) holds a current, unrestricted <span class="dictionary">license to practice dentistry</span> in another <span class="dictionary">jurisdiction</span> in the United States and is certified to be in good standing by each <span class="dictionary">jurisdiction</span> in which he currently holds or has held a license; (iii) has not committed any act that would constitute grounds for denial as set forth in &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Revocation or suspension; other sanctions" href="/54.1-2706/">54.1-2706</a>; and (iv) has been in continuous clinical practice for five out of the six years immediately preceding application for licensure pursuant to this section. Active patient care in the dental corps of the United States Armed Forces, volunteer practice in a public health clinic, or practice in an intern or residency program may be accepted by the <span class="dictionary">Board</span> to satisfy this requirement. <a id="paragraph-262306" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-2709/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> The <span class="dictionary">Board</span> shall provide for an inactive license for those <span class="dictionary">dentists</span> who hold a current, unrestricted dental license in the Commonwealth at the time of application for an inactive license and who do not wish to practice in Virginia. The <span class="dictionary">Board</span> shall promulgate such regulations as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this section, including requirements for remedial education to activate a license. <a id="paragraph-262307" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-2709/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="E"><p><span class="prefix-number">E.</span> The <span class="dictionary">Board</span> shall promulgate regulations requiring continuing education for any dental license renewal or reinstatement. The <span class="dictionary">Board</span> may grant extensions or exemptions from these continuing education requirements. <a id="paragraph-262308" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-2709/#E"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>Code 1950, &#xA7;&#xA7; 54-168 through 54-171, 54-175; 1968, c. 604; 1972, cc. 805, 824; 1973, c. 391; 1974, c. 411; 1976, c. 327; 1977, c. 518; 1981, c. 216; 1988, c. 765; 1997, c. 855; 2005, cc. 505, 587; 2007, c. 20; 2012, cc. 20, 116.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
