Wyo. Code R. 034-0001-3
Dental Examiners, Board of
Chapter 3: Requirements for Licensure and Renewal
Effective Date: 05/26/2026 to Current
Rule Type: Current Rules & Regulations
Reference Number: 034.0001.3.05262026
Section 1. Authority. The Board is authorized under Wyoming Statute 33-15-108(g) and 33-15-120(e) to promulgate rules and regulations related to the application, licensure, and renewal procedures to dentistry and dental hygiene in Wyoming.
Section 2. Statement of Purpose. These Board Rules are adopted to implement the Board's authority to establish the requirements for licensure, annual license renewal, and volunteer licenses.
(a) For those applicants seeking licensure, competency shall be met during the timeframe identified immediately prior to submitting a completed application.
(b) Applications shall be deemed 'complete' when all necessary documentation has been received by the Board office.
(c) Applications shall expire one (1) year after submission. If an application expires, an applicant shall submit a new application, including payment of fee.
(a) An applicant for licensure or certification shall have committed no acts that are grounds for disciplinary action, or if an act was committed, the ARC has found after investigation that sufficient restitution has been made and the applicant no longer presents a threat to public safety.
(b) If the ARC questions an applicant's competency, the ARC may request an applicant complete a clinical examination or other program.
(a) The Board shall issue a dental or dental hygiene license to any applicant who meets the qualifications for licensure identified in Sections 6, 7, 8, 9, and 14 and successfully passes the jurisprudence examination.
(b) To successfully pass the jurisprudence examination, the applicant shall score at least an 80% on the exam.
(c) Applicants that fail the examination shall wait one (1) week to retest.
(d) Applicants will have the opportunity to attempt the Jurisprudence Examination three times. Applicants who fail the Jurisprudence Examination three times shall show reasonable evidence of remediation before reexamination may be considered.
(a) Eligibility. An applicant may seek initial licensure if the applicant is not licensed to practice in another jurisdiction, or if licensed in another jurisdiction but that jurisdiction's licensure requirements are not equivalent to Wyoming, or if the applicant fails to meet other licensure methods.
(b) Application Requirements. Applicant shall:
(v) Request score reports of a clinical examination that indicates successful passage in each procedure within the parts listed below:
(A) Endodontics, including access opening of a posterior tooth and access, canal instrumentation and obturation of an anterior tooth in a clinical setting;
(B) Fixed Prosthodontics, including a full crown procedure and a separate bridge procedure with two (2) abutment preparations in a clinical setting.
(C) Periodontics, including scaling on a patient or non-patient (manikin) in a clinical setting; and
(I) Diagnosis procedures including Intra Oral/Extra Oral assessment written exam, Periodontal Measurement, Subgingival Calculus detection in a clinical setting and
(II) Periodontal Treatment procedures including Subgingival Calculus removal in a clinical setting.
(D) Restorative Dentistry, including a class II amalgam or composite preparation and restoration and a class III composite preparation and restoration on a non-patient (manikin) in a clinical setting. Slot preps shall not be accepted.
(E) Written Exam that is acceptable to the Board, including but not limited to: Diagnosis and Treatment Planning, Periodontal Staging and Grading, Peri-Implantitis,
Implants, Removable Prosthetics, Pediatric Dentistry, Local Anesthesia, and Dental Office Emergencies.
(vi) If an applicant has been out of clinical practice for more than one (1) year, the applicant shall submit the following evidence to demonstrate competency:
(A) Graduation from a CODA accredited dental program in the preceding twelve (12) months; or
(B) Successful completion of a clinical examination that meets the criteria in Section 6(b)(v) within the preceding five (5) years and completion of eight (8) hours hands-on clinical CE for each year out of clinical practice. The CE must be earned from a CODA accredited dental program or pre-approved by the ARC prior to completion.
(a) Eligibility. An applicant may seek dental licensure by endorsement if the applicant has a license in good standing in another jurisdiction with licensure requirements equivalent to Wyoming’s requirements.
(b) Application Requirements. Applicant shall:
(i) Submit a completed application and payment of fee;
(ii) Submit current certification in BLS;
(iii) Submit evidence demonstrating completion of requirements identified in Section 6(b)(iv) and (v). If applicant successfully passed a clinical examination as identified in Section 6(b)(v) which did not include a fixed prosthodontics component, applicant shall submit evidence of active clinical practice of 5,000 hours in the last five (5) years or verification of completion of a general practice residency (GPR), advanced education in general dentistry (AEGD), or other specialty practice residency as identified in Chapter 6;
(iv) Request verification of an active license in another jurisdiction;
(v) Submit a copy of the diploma from a CODA accredited program; and
(vi) Documents approved by the board that support evidence of clinical practice.
(vii) If an applicant has been out of clinical practice for less than five (5) years, the applicant shall submit the following evidence to demonstrate competency:
(A) Active clinical practice of 1,000 hours in the last twelve (12) months;
(B) Successful completion of a clinical examination that meets the criteria in Section 6(b)(v) within twelve (12) months; or
(C) Completion of eight (8) hours of hands-on clinical continuing education for each year not actively practicing. The CE must be earned from a CODA accredited dental program or pre-approved by the ARC prior to completion.
(D) Documents approved by the board that support evidence of clinical practice.
(viii) If an applicant has been out of active clinical practice for more than five (5) years, the applicant shall submit the following evidence to demonstrate competency:
(A) Successful completion of a regional clinical examination within twelve (12) months; and
(B) Completion of eight (8) hours of hands-on clinical continuing education for each year not actively practicing. The CE must be earned from a CODA accredited dental program or pre-approved by the ARC prior to completion.
(a) Eligibility. An applicant may seek initial licensure if the applicant is not licensed to practice in another jurisdiction, or if licensed in another jurisdiction but that jurisdiction's licensure requirements are not equivalent to Wyoming, or if the applicant fails to meet other licensure methods.
(b) Application Requirements. Applicant shall:
(i) Submit a completed application and payment of fees;
(ii) Submit current certification in BLS;
(iii) Request official transcripts from a CODA accredited program;
(iv) Request score reports documenting successful passage of the NBDHE;
(v) Request score reports documenting passage of a clinical examination that demonstrates successful passage in each procedure within the parts listed below:
(A) Periodontics including:
(I) Intra Oral/Extra Oral assessment written exam, Periodontal Measurement, Subgingival Calculus detection in a clinical setting; and
(II) Periodontal Treatment procedures including Subgingival Calculus removal in a clinical setting.
(vi) If an applicant has been out of clinical practice for more than one (1) year, the applicant shall submit the following evidence to demonstrate competency:
(A) Graduation from a CODA accredited program in the preceding twelve (12) months; or
(B) Successful completion of a regional clinical examination that meets the criteria in Section 8(b)(v) within the preceding five (5) years and completion of eight (8) hours hands-on clinical CE for each year out of clinical practice. The CE must be earned from a CODA accredited dental hygiene program or pre-approved by the ARC prior to completion.
(a) Eligibility. An applicant may seek dental hygiene licensure by endorsement if the applicant has a license in good standing in another jurisdiction with licensure requirements equivalent to Wyoming’s requirements.
(b) Application Requirements. Applicant shall:
(i) Submit a completed application and payment of fee;
(ii) Submit current certification in BLS;
(iii) Submit evidence demonstrating completion of requirements identified in Section 8(b)(iv) and (v);
(iv) Submit verification of an active license in another jurisdiction;
(v) Submit a copy of the diploma from a CODA accredited program; and
(vi) If an applicant has been out of active clinical practice for less than five (5) years, the applicant shall submit the following evidence to demonstrate competency:
(A) Active clinical practice of 800 hours in the last twelve (12) months;
(B) Successful completion of a clinical examination that meets the criteria in Section 8(b)(v) within twelve (12) months; or
(C) Completion of eight (8) hours of hands-on continuing education for each year not actively practicing. The CE must be earned from a CODA accredited dental hygiene program or pre-approved by the ARC prior to completion.
(vii) If an applicant has been out of clinical practice for more than five (5) years, the applicant shall submit the following evidence to demonstrate competency:
(A) Successful completion of a clinical examination that meets the criteria in Section 8(b)(v) within twelve (12) months; and
(B) Completion of eight (8) hours of hands-on clinical continuing education for each year not actively practicing. The CE must be earned from a CODA accredited dental hygiene program or pre-approved by the ARC prior to completion.
(a) Expiration.
(i) All dental and dental hygiene licenses shall expire December 31 of every odd numbered year.
(ii) Unless a licensee timely renews their license, the licensee shall not practice after their expiration date.
(b) Renewal Application. A dental or dental hygiene licensee seeking renewal shall:
(i) Submit a completed renewal application and payment of fee;
(ii) Verify current certification in BLS; and
(iii) Acquire sixteen (16) hours of CE that complies with Section 11.
(iv) Verify active clinical practice within the preceding five (5) years.
(c) Competency Requirement. After five (5) years of inactive clinical practice, an applicant shall demonstrate competency by successful completion of a clinical examination that meets the requirements in Section 6(b)(v) for dentists and Section 8(b)(v) for dental hygienists.
(a) Renewal Period. CE shall be obtained January 1 of even years through December 31 of odd numbered years. The first CE period begins on January 1st following the date the license was issued.
(i) For a new hygienist with a license issued in an even numbered year, the licensee shall submit eight (8) hours of CE.
(ii) For a new dentist with a license issued in an even year, the licensee shall submit eight (8) hours of CE, three (3) of which must be related to the responsible prescribing of controlled substances.
(i) The subject matter shall relate directly to the professional competence of the licensee or patient care rendered by the licensee. Acceptable CE subjects include, but are not limited to, the following clinical subjects relating to the dental profession: oral surgery, operative dentistry, oral pathology, preventive dentistry, orthodontics, clinical patient management, pediatric dentistry, oral biology, periodontics, prosthodontics, dental materials, implantology, radiology, infection control, endodontics, management of medical emergencies, dental anesthesiology, professional ethics, and pharmacology.
(ii) Unacceptable subjects include, but are not limited to, practice building and business management courses.
(iii) CE may be acquired in any jurisdiction.
(iv) CE earned in excess of the sixteen (16) hours required for renewal may not be carried forward to apply toward the next renewal period.
(c) Of the required sixteen (16) hours, a dentist shall obtain three (3) hours of CE related to the responsible prescribing of controlled substances every two (2) years. This requirement shall not apply to dental hygienists.
(d) Waiver. The Board may grant a waiver for CE requirements to licensees who have petitioned and demonstrated just cause based on extenuating circumstances.
(i) The licensee shall maintain evidence of CE compliance for at least four (4) years after the renewal period in which the course was applied.
(ii) Failure to provide the documents requested for audit within thirty (30) days may subject the licensee to disciplinary action.
(iii) If the Board disallows any CE, the licensee shall have one hundred twenty (120) days from notice of such disallowance to:
(A) Provide evidence that the disallowed CE meet the criteria established by these rules;
(B) Provide documentation of having acquired additional CE during the required time frame; or
(C) Resolve the disallowance by acquiring the required number of CE.
(D) Any CE activity completed past the renewal date to resolve a disallowance may not be reported on subsequent applications for license renewal.
(iv) If a licensee fails to complete the required number of CE, the licensee shall be subject to disciplinary action.
(a) Unlicensed Practice. Failure to timely renew may subject the licensee to disciplinary action for unlicensed practice.
(b) Administrative Grace Period.
(i) The administrative grace period shall be from January 1st to March 31st following the renewal period.
(ii) Licensees who failed to timely renew may apply for renewal during the administrative grace period. However, licensees shall not practice until the Board approves their license.
(iii) Licensees who failed to timely renew shall:
(A) Submit a completed renewal application and payment of fee;
(B) Verify current certification in BLS; and
(C) Complete CE that meets the requirements in Section 11.
(iv) On April 1st following the renewal period, any license not renewed shall lapse.
(a) If a dental license lapses, the dentist shall apply for relicensure.
(b) If a dental hygiene license lapses, the dental hygienist may restore their lapsed license until December 31st of the year the license lapsed. After December 31st, the dental hygienist shall apply for relicensure.
(a) Eligibility. An applicant may seek dental or dental hygiene relicensure if the applicant has been licensed in Wyoming and allowed his or her license to lapse.
(b) Application Requirements. Applicant shall:
(i) Submit a completed relicensure application and payment of fee; (ii) Verify current certification in BLS; (iii) Submit eight (8) hours CE for each year the license has lapsed; and (iv) Successfully pass the jurisprudence examination.
(c) Competency Requirement for Return to Practice. An applicant applying for relicensure who has not actively practiced in five (5) years shall also demonstrate competency by:
(i) Successful completion of a clinical examination per Section 6(b)(v) for dentists and Section 8(b)(v) for hygienists within twelve (12) months; and (ii) Submitting evidence of completion of eight (8) hours of hands-on clinical continuing education for each year not actively practicing. The CE must be earned from a CODA accredited dental program or pre-approved by the ARC prior to completion.
Section 15. Reinstatement.
(a) Eligibility. An applicant may seek to have his or her dental or dental hygiene license reinstated if the applicant's Wyoming dental or dental hygiene license has been revoked, surrendered, suspended, conditioned, or restricted.
(b) Application Requirements. Applicant shall:
(i) Submit a completed application and payment of fee; (ii) Verify current certification in BLS; (iii) Submit evidence of complying with the requirements of a previous Board order; (iv) Submit evidence of applicant's ability to safely and competently practice; (v) Submit evidence demonstrating just cause for reinstatement.
Section 16. Volunteer's License. Any applicant that meets the qualifications under W.S. 33-15-131 shall submit a completed application.