Licensing

Renewing Your License

“The Board mails a reminder postcard to every license and permit holder approximately 90 days before their license or permit expires. Licenses expire during the second year of a two–year term, on the last day of the birth month of the licensee. [Business and Professions Code (BPC) § 1715.] If you were born in an even–numbered year, your license will expire during even–numbered years. If you were born in an odd–numbered year, your license will expire during odd–numbered years. There is no grace period for late renewal, although a delinquency fee will not be charged until the renewal is more than 30 days late.

Even if you do not receive a reminder postcard, you are responsible for renewing. A licensee who practices with an expired license is considered to be practicing without a license. This is a criminal offense. Your license will be displayed as “Delinquent” when a consumer conducts an online License Search. In addition, your license or permit will be cancelled if you fail to renew within five (5) years of the expiration date.

How to Renew

You must renew online using the BreEZe system at www.BreEZe.ca.gov. Renewals by mail are not accepted. If you do not have a BreEZe account, select New User to create one. You can link licenses and permits to your BreEZe account by selecting the Update Profile tab as shown below.

Renewal Processing Times

Online renewals are processed immediately unless there are missing requirements (deficiencies). Upon approval of the renewal, you will be mailed a new pocket or small wall Dentist License (or Fictitious Name Permit, Additional Office Permit, or Mobile Dental Clinic Permit). Please allow 2–3 weeks for mailing.

Digital copies of licenses are not available. However, your license or permit can be verified online at https://search.dca.ca.gov/.

Renew in Active or Inactive Status

When renewing a Dentist License, you must choose active or inactive status. Consider inactive status if you are discontinuing your clinical practice of dentistry and will stop offering dental services. There is no continuing education (CE) requirement to maintain an inactive license. [BPC § 703.]

Renewal Requirements

NOTE: Renewal requirements may be waived for active duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces.
To renew your Dentist License in ACTIVE status, you must:

• Pay the Renewal Fee
• Satisfactorily complete the required Continuing Education (CE) units, that is, 50 hours of CE (including applicable mandatory courses) every two years.
NOTE: CE is not required the first time you renew your license.
• Disclose any license discipline by a governmental agency or other disciplinary body and any criminal conviction(s) since the last renewal.
• Complete the HCAI Health Workforce Survey.
• Complete the Dental Workforce Survey.
• Submit fingerprints if required.
  • Licensees required to submit fingerprints will be notified in writing.
  • Fingerprinting for license renewal is only required once. However, you must answer “yes” on EVERY renewal application, acknowledging that you have furnished a full set of fingerprints.

To renew your license in INACTIVE status, CE is not required.

Waiver of 50% of Renewal Fee for Dentist with a Disability

A licensed dentist who is unable to practice dentistry due to a disability may also request a waiver of 50% of the renewal fee. The request may be submitted online at www.BreEZe.ca.gov or by mail. To submit by mail, mail a completed Disabled Dentist Application for Waiver of 50% of License Renewal Fee form to the Board. A licensed dentist granted a 50% waiver may not engage in the practice of dentistry unless and until they pay the current renewal fee in full and submit a completed Application to Remove Disabled Status from License form to the Board.