MA Dental Licensure

BORID also enforces the state’s continuing education requirements. All dentists must earn 40 continuing education (CE) credits every two years; dental hygienists must earn 20 continuing education credits. Random audits are performed by the Board to verify completion of required credit hours. For complete information about the CE responsibilities of licensees, review the regulations on BORID’s website. Click on “Statutes, Rules, and Regulations” and refer to document “234 CMR 5.00.”

To obtain a license to practice dentistry, you must submit proof of successful completion of a clinical examination administered by one of the following:

• Successfully complete a clinical examination from either: Commission on Dental Competency Assessments (CDCA), Florida State Board of Dental Examiners, Nevada State Board of Dental Examiners, or Central Region Dental Testing Service (if taken prior to July 1, 2009).
  – or –
• Successfully complete Commission on Dental Competency Assessments (CDCA) and successfully complete a state clinical examination acceptable to BORID or a clinical exam administered by one of the following: Central Region Dental Testing Service (if taken on or after July 1, 2009), South East Regional Testing Agency, Western Regional Examination Board, or Council of Interstate Testing Agencies.

Licensure by Credentials may also be granted to a dentist that has been in practice for more than five years in another state. For requirements regarding Licensure by Credentials, please contact BORID directly.

The following information can be found on BORID’s website under Licensing:

• Regional and State Clinical Licensing Examination Requirements
• Dental License Application and Forms
• BORID Fee Schedule
• Information for Foreign Trained Dentists
• Renewal Policies and Procedures

To renew online, you will need the following:

• Username
• Password
• Social Security Number
• License and permit fees
• Valid credit card or bank card

Dental license renewal fee: $360/each
Late renewal fee: $57/late license renewal (in addition to renewal fee)
All fees are nonrefundable and nontransferable.

Additional Information:

• Renew Online—Licensing Portal
• Dental License Renewal FAQs

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) included provisions that allowed providers to formally opt in or opt out of federal programs. There is an ACA provision that requires each licensed dentist in Massachusetts to enroll with MassHealth as an Ordering, Referring, and Prescribing (“ORP”) non-billing provider (if not already enrolled with MassHealth as an approved billing provider) before seeking to renew their dental license.

The MassHealth application requires dentists to provide their Health Care Provider Taxonomy Code, a code that describes the type of services or specialty a health care provider offers to patients. Dentists receive their taxonomy code when they register on the NPPES (NPI) registration site. Most dentists’ code is 122300000X—but check yours to be sure!

Mail completed forms to: 

MassHealth Dental Program
Attn: Provider Enrollment and Credentialing
PO Box 2906 
Milwaukee, WI 53201-2906

Will a dentist need to take this action at each renewal cycle?
MassHealth will require re-credentialing every five years.

Does this requirement apply to dentists holding a limited license?
Yes, MassHealth/DentaQuest will be working closely with the League of Community HealthCenters on this.

Who should I contact if I have questions about completing the enrollment form and contract?
For questions regarding the Non-Billing Provider Application or the enrollment process for non-billing providers, please contact customer service at 800.841.2900 or provider@masshealthquestions.com with any questions about the form.

Note: Non-billing providers may not submit claims to or receive payments from MassHealth.

Massachusetts dentists are required to renew their dental licenses by March 31 of even years. M.G.L. c. 112, s. 45 mandates that the Board of Registration in Dentistry (BORID) condition the renewal of all dental licenses on a dentist’s application to participate in MassHealth as an Ordering, Referring, and Prescribing (ORP) non-billing provider unless the dentist is already enrolled as an approved billing provider. Accordingly, you will not be permitted to renew your dental license unless and until you submit an ORP enrollment form to MassHealth. 

This law went into effect in November 2017. Massachusetts dentists will need to attest to participating as a MassHealth provider or as a non-billing provider as a condition of the license renewal process at each cycle.

Attestation Questions (Note: You must answer ‘yes’ to both related questions)
Are you enrolled in MassHealth as a fully participating provider or non-billing provider OR have you submitted a thoroughly completed application to be a fully participating provider and a signed provider contract with MassHealth? 

Do you consent to the Bureau of Health Professions Licensure and the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services, and its enrollment vendor, to obtain, read, copy and share with each other information regarding your MassHealth application and enrollment status and professional licensure status?