Provincial and Territorial Dental Licensure
NDEB certification and provincial or territorial licensure are separate requirements. The National Dental Examining Board of Canada certifies dentists, but provincial and territorial dental regulatory authorities issue licences.
An NDEB certificate does not authorize you to practise dentistry. You must obtain a licence from the regulator in the province or territory where you intend to work.
Ontario Dental Licensure
The Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario regulates dentists in Ontario. Internationally educated dentists must satisfy the national certification requirements and the RCDSO’s Ontario registration requirements before practising.
Step 1: Obtain NDEB Certification
Complete the national pathway that applies to your dental education.
Graduate of an Accredited Dental Program
Enter the NDEB Certification Process, pass the Virtual OSCE and provide proof of graduation when required by the NDEB.
Graduate of a Non-Accredited Dental Program
Complete one of the following pathways:
- The NDEB Equivalency Process, including AFK, ACJ and NDECC
- An accredited qualifying or degree-completion program, followed by the Virtual OSCE
- The ACFD Bridge Training to Dental Practice in Canada program, if eligible and admitted, followed by the Virtual OSCE
The Bridge Training to Dental Practice in Canada program is a competitive pilot program with preliminary accreditation. Applicants must have passed AFK and ACJ within the program’s eligibility period. Candidates completing the 2026–2027 cohort or a later cohort may proceed directly to the Virtual OSCE without taking the NDECC.
After completing the applicable pathway and passing the Virtual OSCE, the NDEB issues certification.
The RCDSO verifies NDEB certification directly. Applicants are not required to upload a copy of their NDEB certificate. You may begin an RCDSO application before receiving your NDEB certificate number, but registration cannot be completed until the certificate number has been issued.
Step 2: Meet Ontario Language Requirements
Every applicant must demonstrate reasonable fluency in English or French. The evidence required depends on the applicant’s education and experience.
You may meet the language requirement through one of the following routes:
- Accredited dental-program graduate: Provide accepted proof of dental education.
- Qualifying or degree-completion program graduate: Provide accepted proof of program completion.
- Non-accredited program taught entirely in English or French: Obtain a letter from the dean confirming that the entire program was taught in English or French.
- Language-test route: Meet the minimum score in every component and the required overall score.
- Alternative-evidence route: Submit an applicant letter and supporting evidence for RCDSO review.
Language-test results are valid for two years.
The RCDSO currently accepts:
- IELTS Academic or General
- TOEFL iBT
- CELPIP General
- PTE Core
- TEF Canada
- TCF Canada
- A French-language certificate issued as required by the Ordre des dentistes du Québec within the RCDSO’s validity period
Required scores and accepted evidence can change. Review the current RCDSO requirements before registering for a language test.
Step 3: Complete the Jurisprudence and Ethics Course
Applicants for general, specialty and academic registration must successfully complete the RCDSO’s online Jurisprudence and Ethics course.
This requirement also applies to applicants who completed an ethics course during dental school.
- Register as an Applicant/Non-Member.
- Complete the online learning modules.
- The course can be completed in more than one sitting.
- The passing grade is 60%.
- A passing result is valid for three years.
- The RCDSO verifies the result directly.
- Applicants do not need to upload proof of completion.
View the RCDSO Jurisprudence and Ethics Course
Step 4: Apply to the RCDSO
Create an application through the RCDSO applicant portal. A submitted application remains valid for three months.
The portal will generate a personalized document checklist. Depending on your education and registration history, you may need:
- Proof of your dental degree or a letter from the dean confirming graduation
- An accredited qualifying, advanced-standing or degree-completion credential, if applicable
- Completion certificates for internships, residencies, specialty programs or other postgraduate training
- Proof of English or French language proficiency, when separate evidence is required
- Proof of Canadian citizenship, permanent residence or authorization to work in dentistry or another health profession in Canada
- A Certificate of Standing from every jurisdiction where you practised or were granted the right to practise dentistry
- Certificates of Standing from regulators of any other health profession in which you are or were registered
- Legal name-change documentation when your application name does not match your dental degree
- A sworn name affidavit when required to confirm that different names appearing on your documents refer to the same person
- Complete declarations about professional conduct, discipline, criminal charges and convictions
A Certificate of Standing must be sent directly to the RCDSO by the issuing regulator. A copy submitted by the applicant will not be accepted. Certificates of Standing are valid for three months after issuance.
Currency-of-Practice Requirement:
For a general certificate, you must meet the RCDSO’s currency-of-practice requirement.
Since receiving NDEB certification or an unrestricted Canadian dental licence, you must not have stopped practising dentistry regularly for more than three years in Canada, the United States, Australia, Ireland or New Zealand.
If you do not meet this requirement or another registration requirement, the RCDSO may request additional evidence or refer your application to its Registration Committee.
Application Process:
- Create an RCDSO portal account.
- Complete the application form.
- Upload the required documents.
- Pay the non-refundable application fee.
- Submit the application.
- Review your personalized document checklist.
- Arrange for third-party documents to be sent directly to the RCDSO.
- Monitor the portal for missing documents or additional requests.
Step 5: Pay Fees and Complete Registration
For a general certificate, the 2026 non-refundable application fee is $350. The annual fee is prorated according to the registration date.
Already Licensed Elsewhere in Canada?
Dentists currently licensed in another Canadian province or territory may apply for Ontario registration through labour mobility.
Ontario’s “As of Right” pathway may allow qualified dentists who are currently registered and in good standing elsewhere in Canada to practise in Ontario for up to six months while completing Ontario’s registration process.
You must meet the RCDSO’s conditions and receive confirmation before practising through the As of Right pathway.
Licensure Outside Ontario
If you plan to practise outside Ontario, apply to the dental regulatory authority in your chosen province or territory. Language, jurisprudence, documentation, insurance, CPR, currency-of-practice and fee requirements vary by jurisdiction.
Select a province or territory below to review its official requirements:
Alberta
College of Dental Surgeons of Alberta:
Dentists must register with the College of Dental Surgeons of Alberta and receive a valid practice permit before practising in Alberta.
British Columbia
British Columbia College of Oral Health Professionals:
Dentists must obtain a dentist licence from the British Columbia College of Oral Health Professionals before practising in British Columbia.
Manitoba
Manitoba Dental Association:
Dentists must apply to the Manitoba Dental Association for registration and licensing before practising in Manitoba.
New Brunswick
New Brunswick Dental Society:
The New Brunswick Dental Society regulates and licenses dentists practising in New Brunswick.
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador Dental Board:
Dentists must register with the Newfoundland and Labrador Dental Board and obtain a licence before practising in the province.
View Newfoundland and Labrador Dentist Licensing Requirements
Northwest Territories
Government of the Northwest Territories-Professional Licensing:
Dentist registration and licensing are administered by the Department of Health and Social Services. Applicants must obtain a dental licence before beginning practice.
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia Regulator of Dentistry and Dental Assisting:
Dentists must register and obtain a licence from the Nova Scotia Regulator of Dentistry and Dental Assisting before practising in Nova Scotia.
Nunavut
Government of Nunavut, Department of Health-Professional Licensing:
Dentist licensing in Nunavut is administered by the Government of Nunavut’s Department of Health. Contact its Professional Licensing office for the current application forms and requirements.
Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island Dental College:
General dentists must be registered and licensed by the Prince Edward Island Dental College before practising in Prince Edward Island.
Québec
Ordre des dentistes du Québec:
Dentists must obtain a permit from the Ordre des dentistes du Québec and meet Québec’s professional and French-language requirements before practising in the province.
Saskatchewan
College of Dental Surgeons of Saskatchewan:
Dentists must register with the College of Dental Surgeons of Saskatchewan and obtain a licence before practising in Saskatchewan.
Yukon
Government of Yukon-Professional Licensing and Regulatory Affairs:
Dentists must register and hold a Yukon dentist licence before practising in the territory. The licence must be renewed annually.