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Renewal & Reinstatement

Renewal Requirements
Reinstatement of Dentist or Dental Hygienist
Reinstatement of Dental Assistant
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Expiration Dates

Dental Licenses & Sedation Permits

All dental licenses, faculty permits, moderate sedation permits and general anesthesia permits expire on August 31 of every even-numbered year. Approximately 60 days prior to expiration of the license or permit, an notice for renewal will be forwarded to the email address of record.

Dental Hygiene Licenses & Local Anesthesia Permits

All dental hygiene licenses, faculty permits (RDH) and local anesthesia permits expire on August 31 of every odd-numbered year. Approximately 60 days prior to expiration of the license or permit, an notice for renewal will be forwarded to the email address of record.

Dental Assistant Registration and Radiography Qualification

All dental assistant registrations and radiography qualifications expire on August 31 of every odd-numbered year. Approximately 60 days prior to expiration of the license or permit, an notice for renewal will be forwarded to the email address of record.

Renewal Requirements

Renewal Application Requirements for Dentists and Dental Hygienists

To renew a license or faculty permit the following must be submitted to the Board office on or before August 31st:

  1. Completed renewal application with all questions answered;
  2. A statement confirming current certification in CPR from nationally-recognized course that includes a "hands-on" clinical component, including the date of expiration and acknowledging that proof of certification in CPR must be provided upon request;
  3. Payment of renewal fee; and
  4. Certification of completion of 30 hours of continuing education or an approved exemption. Please refer here for additional information pertaining to continuing education requirements.

Renewal Application Requirements for Dental Assistants

To renew a license or faculty permit the following must be submitted to the Board office on or before August 31st:

  1. Completed renewal application with all questions answered;
  2. A statement confirming current certification in CPR from nationally-recognized course that includes a "hands-on" clinical component, including the date of expiration and acknowledging that proof of certification in CPR must be provided upon request;
  3. Payment of renewal fee; and
  4. Certification of completion of 20 hours of continuing education or an approved exemption. Please refer here for additional information pertaining to continuing education requirements.

Late Fees

After August 31 of a renewal year, a late fee for renewal is assessed. View renewal fees here. Failure to renew prior to November 1 shall cause the license to lapse and become invalid for practice. If your license has lapsed, you will be required to submit an application for reinstatement of the license if the licensee wishes to continue practicing in Iowa.

Reinstatement

Dental/Dental Hygiene License

A dentist or dental hygienist who allows a license to lapse by failing to renew may be reinstated at the discretion of the Board. To request reinstatement of a lapsed license, the following information must be submitted to the Board office:

  1. A completed application for reinstatement of a lapsed license;
  2. Written verification of any licenses held in other states;
  3. Reasons for seeking reinstatement and why the license was not maintained;
  4. Current CPR certification;
  5. Evidence of completion of 30 hours of continuing education; and
  6. Payment of one renewal fee past due, plus the reinstatement fee and fingerprint evaluation fee.
    • The total due for reinstatement of a dental license is $511.
    • The total due for reinstatement of a dental hygiene license is $296.

The Board may require a licensee applying for reinstatement to successfully complete an examination designated by the Board prior to reinstatement if necessary to ensure the licensee is able to practice with reasonable skill and safety. The Board typically requires re-examination if a licensee has not provided clinical patient care in the previous five (5) years.

When the Board finds that a practitioner applying for reinstatement is, or has been, subject to disciplinary action taken against a license held by the applicant in another state of the United States, District of Columbia, or territory, and the violations which resulted in such actions would also be grounds for discipline in Iowa, the Board may deny reinstatement of a license to practice dentistry in Iowa or may impose any applicable disciplinary sanctions as a condition of reinstatement.

Dental Assistant Registration

A dental assistant who allows a registration and/or qualification to lapse by failing to renew may be reinstated at the discretion of the Board. To request reinstatement of a lapsed registration or qualification, the following information must be submitted to the Board office:

  1. A completed application for reinstatement of a lapsed registration/qualification
  2. Written verification of any licenses/registrations held in other states;
  3. Reasons for seeking reinstatement and why the license was not maintained;
  4. Current CPR certification;
  5. Evidence of completion of 20 hours of continuing education; and
  6. Payment of one renewal fee past due, plus the reinstatement fee and fingerprint evaluation fee.
    • The total due for reinstatement of an RDA is $125.
    • The total due for reinstatement of a QDA is $165.
    • The total due for reinstatement of an XDA (i.e. nurse) is $80.

Dental assistants who hold a qualification in dental radiography is required to submit two hours of continuing education as part of the reinstatement application.  The hours may be applied towards the total hours due. If the qualification has been lapsed more than four (4) years, the dental assistant will be required to retake a Board-approved exam in dental radiography. Dental assistants who was issued a radiography qualification in another state and took x-rays in that state is exempt from the requirement to retest.

The Board may require an applicant to successfully complete an examination designated by the Board prior to reinstatement if necessary to ensure the licensee is able to practice with reasonable skill and safety. The Board typically requires re-examination if a licensee/registrant has not provided clinical patient care in the previous five (5) years.

When the Board finds that a practitioner applying for reinstatement is, or has been, subject to disciplinary action taken against a license held by the applicant in another state of the United States, District of Columbia, or territory, and the violations which resulted in such actions would also be grounds for discipline in Iowa, the Board may deny reinstatement of a license to practice dentistry in Iowa or may impose any applicable disciplinary sanctions as a condition of reinstatement.

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