The New York State Education Department (NYSED) provides a detailed look into the requirements to become a dentist in The Empire State. To practice as a dentist, it is mandatory to be licensed. The licensing process involves the completion of certain education and experience requirements. Let’s take a look at the requirements to become a licensed dentist in New York.

How to Become a Dental Assistant in New York?

To use the title of ‘dentist’ in New York, candidates will require licensure. Licensing requirements for New York dentists include:

  • Candidate must be of good moral character.
  • Candidate should be at least 21 years of age.
  • Candidate should have met all the education requirements.
  • Candidate should have completed all the required exams.
  • Candidates must meet all the experience requirements.
  • Candidates should complete coursework or training in the reporting and identification of child abuse, administered by a New York State approved trainer.


If you meet all these requirements, you will have to file an application for licensure, along with sending in the appropriate application fee, to the Office of the Professions.
For more details about the requirements for licensure, you can refer to Title 8, Article 133, Section 6604 of the New York State Education Law and Part 61 of the Commissioner’s Regulations.

Steps to Become a Dentist in New York

Before you begin the licensing process, it is important to fulfill all the educational and experience requirements involved. The following steps will help you with this process:

  1. Get a Bachelor’s Degree

    2. This undergraduate degree will help form a strong foundation for future educational requirements. You are advised to take up courses in the sciences at this stage.

  1. Clear the Dental Admission Test (DAT)

    2. This is a standardized test that ascertains the ability of students to grasp dental and medical knowledge. Most dental schools in the country use this as a measure in the admissions process.

  1. Enroll in a Dental School

    2. The first two years of dental school will focus on classroom and lab studies with courses in oral pathology, dental anesthesia, radiology and pharmacology. The last two years will emphasize clinical practice, where students will get to diagnose and treat real patients under the supervision of dental instructors.

  1. Get Licensed

    2. The requirements and process for licensing for dentists in the state of New York have been discussed above.

  1. Go for a Specialization

    2. This is an optional step for those who want to go for specialized studies and practice. It must be noted that for all specializations, you will need additional education and licensure.

How Much Does a Dentist Make in New York?

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, dentists in New York made an annual mean income of $164,520 in New York State in 2018. New York also happens to be the state with the second highest employment level in this occupation, with 8,700 jobs.