North Carolina § 90-36 - Licensing practitioners of other states.
Full text of North Carolina North Carolina General Statutes § 90-36 — Licensing practitioners of other states., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 90-36. Licensing practitioners of other states.
The North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners may issue a license by credentials to an applicant who has been licensed to practice dentistry in any state or territory of the United States if the applicant produces satisfactory evidence to the Board that the applicant has the required education, training, and qualifications, is in good standing with the licensing jurisdiction, has passed satisfactory examinations of proficiency in the knowledge and practice of dentistry as determined by the Board, and meets all other requirements of this section and rules adopted by the Board. The Board may conduct examinations and interviews to test the qualifications of the applicant and may require additional information that would affect the applicant's ability to render competent dental care. The Board may, in its discretion, refuse to issue a license by credentials to an applicant who the Board determines is unfit to practice dentistry. The North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners shall issue a license by credentials to any dentist who applies for a license by credentials and who holds a current license and is in good standing with the licensing jurisdiction in one of the four states that border North Carolina provided that the dental board of the border state will also issue a license by credentials to a dentist having a license to practice in North Carolina. The requirements of subsections (b), (c) and (d) of this section shall apply to any dentist who applies for a license by credentials from a border state in accordance with this subsection. The applicant for licensure by credentials shall be of good moral character and shall have graduated from and have a DDS or DMD degree from a program of dentistry in a school or college accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association and approved by the Board. The North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners shall issue a license by credentials to any dentist who applies for a license by credentials, who possesses good moral character, and who meets either of the following criteria: Holds a current Instructor's License pursuant to G.S. 90-29.5. Has graduated with a general dental degree from any school or college and has graduated from an advanced dental education program with either a certificate or a degree from a school or college accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association and approved by the Board. The applicant must meet all of the following conditions: Has been actively practicing dentistry, as defined in G.S. 90-29(b)(1) through (b)(9), for a minimum of five years immediately preceding the date of application. Has not been the subject of final or pending disciplinary action in the Armed Forces of the United States, in any state or territory in which the applicant is or has ever been licensed to practice dentistry, or in any state or territory in which the applicant has held any other professional license. Presents evidence that the applicant has no felony convictions and that the applicant has no other criminal convictions that would affect the applicant's ability to render competent dental care. Has not failed an examination conducted by the North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners. The applicant for licensure by credentials shall submit an application to the North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners, the form of which shall be determined by the Board, pay the fee required by G.S. 90-39, successfully complete examinations in Jurisprudence and Sterilization and Infection Control, and meet the criteria or requirements established by the Board. Repealed by Session Laws 2018-88, s. 6(b), effective October 1, 2018. Any applicant who applies for a license by credentials in accordance with subdivision (b1)(2) of this section shall meet the requirements of subsections (c) and (d) of this section and shall have passed satisfactory examinations of proficiency in the knowledge and practice of dentistry as set out in subsection (a) of this section. History (1935, c. 66, s. 9; 1971, c. 755, s. 7; 1981, c. 751, s. 6; 2002-37, s. 2; 2009-289, s. 1; 2011-183, s. 58; 2018-88, s. 6(b); 2021-95, s. 4.) Cross References. - As to licensure by credentials, generally, see G.S. 90-224.1 . Editor's Note. - Session Laws 2018-88, s. 6(a), provides: "In addition to the efforts in Section 3(b) of this act, residents of rural areas will benefit from increased access to dental care provided by expediting the license by credentials process for dentists in states that border North Carolina." Session Laws 2021-95, s. 6, provides: "The North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners may adopt temporary rules to implement the provisions of this act." Effect of Amendments. - Session Laws 2009-289, s. 1, effective July 10, 2009, added the last sentence of subsection (e). Session Laws 2011-183, s. 58, effective June 20, 2011, substituted "Armed Forces of the United States" for "military" in subdivision (c)(2). Session Laws 2018-88, s. 6(b), effective October 1, 2018, added subsection (a1), and deleted subsection (e) which formerly read "The holder of a license issued under this section shall establish a practice location and actively practice dentistry, as defined in G.S. 90-29(b)(1) through (b)(9), in North Carolina within one year from the date the license is issued. The license issued under this section shall be void upon a finding by the Board that the licensee fails to limit the licensee's practice to North Carolina or that the licensee no longer actively practices dentistry in North Carolina. However, when a dentist licensed under this section faces possible Board action to void the dentist's license for failure to limit the dentist's practice to North Carolina, if the dentist demonstrates to the Board that out-of-state practice actions were in connection with formal contract or employment arrangements for the dentist to provide needed clinical dental care to patients who are part of an identified ethnic or racial minority group living in a region of the other state with low access to dental care, the Board, in its discretion, may waive the in-State limitations on the out-of-state practice for a maximum of 12 months." Session Laws 2021-95, s. 4, effective July 23, 2021, added subsection (b1).
Source: official North Carolina text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About North Carolina § 90-36
What does North Carolina General Statutes § 90-36 cover?
Section 90-36 ("Licensing practitioners of other states.") is part of the North Carolina General Statutes, the codified statutory law of North Carolina. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite North Carolina § 90-36?
A common citation format is "North Carolina General Statutes § 90-36" (North Carolina). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of North Carolina law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the North Carolina official source linked on this page or consult a licensed North Carolina attorney.
How does North Carolina § 90-36 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in North Carolina can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in North Carolina.