§ 63-5-110 — Application for license - Reciprocity

(a) (1) A person desiring to obtain a license to practice dentistry in this state shall make application to the board. The application must be accompanied by a certificate showing that the applicant is a graduate of an accredited dental school or college or from the dental department of a university approved by the board. (2) The applicant shall be at least eighteen (18) years of age, a citizen of the United States or Canada or legally entitled to live within the United States and of good moral character and reputation. (3) The application must be accompanied by the applicant's photograph and by a nonrefundable application fee as set by the board in rules and regulations. (b) The board is authorized to cause a license to be issued to an applicant of good moral character and professional competence who is licensed to practice dentistry in another state, which shall include the District of Columbia or a territory of the United States, if the board determines to its satisfaction that the applicant meets all of the following requirements: (1) Currently holds a valid license to practice dentistry in another state and provides a copy of such license, and also provides the name of another state in which the applicant is or has been licensed; (2) Absence of any pending disciplinary charges or action in another state or any current investigation by a disciplinary authority or another state and provides pertinent information about any disciplinary action imposed against the applicant in any other state, which the board is to evaluate and determine whether such is disqualifying for licensure in this state; (3) Has not failed previously an examination for licensure to practice dentistry in Tennessee; (4) Graduation from a dental school or college duly accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation; (5) Demonstrates intent to actively practice or teach in Tennessee; (6) Has, pursuant to the authority of a state dental licensing board or boards: (A) Practiced dentistry in another state or states for at least five (5) years; (B) Taught in an American Dental Association accredited institution for at least five (5) years; (C) Any combination of subdivision (b)(6)(A) or subdivision (b)(6)(B) for at least five (5) years; (D) Practiced dentistry for at least two (2) years in another state or states and, in addition, presents satisfactory evidence of passing an examination administered by another state substantially equivalent to the examination required for initial licensure in Tennessee, the appropriateness of such examinations to be evaluated and determined by the board; (E) Taught for at least two (2) years in an American Dental Association accredited institution and, in addition, presents satisfactory evidence of passing an examination administered by a regional testing agency or a clinical board examination administered by another state substantially equivalent to the examination required for initial licensure in Tennessee, the appropriateness of such examination to be evaluated and determined by the board; or (F) Any combination of subdivision (b)(6)(D) or subdivision (b)(6)(E) for at least two (2) years; and (7) Payment of a nonrefundable application fee as set by the board. (c) The board is authorized, in its discretion, to issue a limited license for educational purposes to any dentist who is duly licensed to practice in any other state who meets the requirements of the board and who submits satisfactory evidence of good moral character and professional competence, including a certificate to that effect from the licensing or registration board from all states in which the applicant has held a license, upon payment of a nonrefundable fee as set by the board. (d) The board shall direct the division to issue a license to an applicant, without the necessity of further examination except as required by § 63-5-113 , if the board determines that the applicant meets all of the following qualifications: (1) Is a graduate with either a D.D.S. or D.M.D. degree of an accredited dental school or college or of a dental department of a university approved by the board; (2) Is licensed to practice dentistry in another state, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or a dependency of the United States; (3) Has successfully completed a graduate training program in a recognized specialty branch of dentistry; and (4) Is currently duly licensed to practice medicine in this state. (e) The board is authorized, in its discretion, to issue a limited license for the practice of dentistry in American Dental Association accredited institutions or dental education programs or in federally-designated health professional shortage areas, if the applicant meets the following requirements: (1) Is a graduate of a school of dentistry with a degree substantially equivalent to either a D.D.S. or D.M.D. degree; (2) Has successfully completed a graduate training program in a recognized specialty branch of dentistry from an advanced specialty program accredited by the American Dental Association; (3) Has successfully completed the national board examinations; (4) Payment of nonrefundable fee, as set by the board; (5) Provides satisfactory evidence of good moral character and professional competency; (6) Provides proof of naturalization or ability to live and work in the United States; and (7) Meets other requirements as set by the board.

Legislative History

Acts 1957, ch. 32, § 11; 1963, ch. 107, § 2; 1971, ch. 161, § 2; 1973, ch. 166, § 4; 1976, ch. 497, § 1; 1978, ch. 824, § 8; 1981, ch. 99, § 6; T.C.A., § 63-539; Acts 1984, ch. 608, § 1; 1984, ch. 937, § 23; 1988, ch. 635, § 10; 1989, ch. 523, § 10; 1991, ch. 143, § 2; 2001, ch. 330, § 5; 2002, ch. 771, § 7.