Licensing & Permits

A licensed dental hygienist possessing a permit duly issued by the New Jersey State Board of Dentistry may administer local anesthesia permitted by regulation only under the direct supervision of a New Jersey licensed dentist, who shall determine which anesthetic agent shall be administered by the hygienist, and for which procedures the anesthetic agent shall be utilized. 

Dentists who practice, except on an occasional basis, at any place other than the address of his or her primary office must obtain a branch office certificate from the New Jersey State Board of Dentistry.

Branch License Request Form

In order to prescribe Class 2 through Class 5 controlled dangerous substances, dentists must apply for and receive both a state Controlled Dangerous Substance (CDS) permit and a federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) certificate.  CDS permits are issued by the Drug Control Unit in the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs.  A separate permit is required for each practice location, and every permit must be renewed annually. CLICK HERE for permit applications. The telephone number for the Drug Control Unit is (973) 504-6351.

DEA certificates are issued by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.  They must be renewed every three years.  Applications for DEA certificates can be made and other information secured on-line. CLICK HERE. The telephone number for the DEA Registration Service Center is 800-882-9539.

Prior to operating a CBCT Unit and annually thereafter, the unit must be inspected by a New Jersey certified medical physicist.  A list of certified physicists can be found on the website of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP).

 Before a licensed dental radiologic technologist can operate a CBCT unit, the technologist must be trained by the CBCT manufacturer in scan protocol and in the operation of the CBCT unit or trained by a licensed dentist, licensed dental hygienist or licensed dental radiologic technologist who has been trained by the manufacturer in CBCT scan protocol and its operation.  Training must be documented on a “Licensed Dental Radiologic Technologist CBCT Exemption Form,” maintained in the facility file and made available, upon request, to the NJDEP

After initial training is completed, the licensed dental radiologic technologist must competently perform a minimum of five (5) CBCT procedures under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist, licensed dental hygienist or licensed dental radiologic technologist who has been trained in CBCT scan protocol and its operation.  Direct supervision requires the supervisor to be in the room with the operator to observe and supervise the procedure and post-procedure processing.  Attestation of competency must be documented on the Exemption Form identified above, maintained in the facility file and made available, upon request, to the NJDEP.

A trained licensed dental radiologic technologist who takes a leave of absence for more than six months must repeat documented competency training prior to performing CBCT procedures.  In addition, training is not transferrable to another facility or to other CBCT dental units.  Training and competency testing must be performed and documented at each facility and on each new device.

A licensed dentist who has been trained by the CBCT manufacturer in CBCT protocol and its operation must be present in the office to provide supervision and assistance to the trained licensed dental radiologic technologist, if needed.

Turning to the operation of dental CBCT units, a dental facility must:

(1) Ensure that the dental CBCT unit complies with all radiation protection regulations (registration, survey and quality assurance requirements);

(2) Ensure that all tests listed in “Table 3A – QC Requirements for Dental CBCT” available on the NJDEP website, are properly performed at the required frequencies;

(3)Ensure that a New Jersey certified medical physicist is hired to perform the initial and annual Medical Physicist Computed Tomography QC survey;

(4)Ensure that only appropriately credentialed and properly trained staff perform quality control test items 1 through 5 in Table 3A (all remaining items must be performed by the certified medical physicist during the initial and annual Medical Physicist Computed Tomography survey); and

(5) Ensure that all CBCT procedures performed on patients follow the established scan protocol (i.e. , patient age, mA, kVp, field of view, etc.) as evaluated by a New Jersey certified medical physicist as part of the initial and on-going annual Medical Physicist Computed Tomography QC survey.  

As described in detail in a regulation adopted by the State Board, dentists must complete forty (40) hours of continuing education (CE) in approved subject areas in order to renew their dental licenses, with modifications for recent graduates, residents and individuals licensed in the 2nd year of the biennial period.  The required hours must be completed within the two-year period immediately preceding license renewal.  

CE can be satisfied by attending educational and scientific courses, teaching, giving presentations, and writing original scientific papers and essays.  One hour of the CE requirement will be waived for each patient treated under the Donated Dental Service program, up to a maximum of three hours during any biennial period. ​

A maximum of seven continuing education credits completed by a licensee in excess of the forty (40) credit hours may be credited to the subsequent biennial registration period.  

No more than seven hours of CE credit will be recognized during any biennial period for courses in practice management/managed care.  

Distance learning or electronic medium courses are subject to a maximum of twenty (20) hours per biennial period.  Such courses must include a written post-test, and the test must be retained by the licensee.  

Members are cautioned to ensure that courses have been approved by the State Board.  Records evidencing attendance at and successful completion of continuing education credits must be retained for two full biennial periods from the date of completion of the CE activity.  The State Board periodically conducts random audits.

NJ State Board of Dentistry Administrative Code. See page 42.

In order to practice in NJ, dentists must first obtain a license from the New Jersey State Board of Dentistry.  

Licensure applicants must: 

1) Satisfy the criteria found at NJAC 13:30-1.2.,
2) Present satisfactory evidence that they have graduated with a dental degree from a dental school, college or department of a university approved by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association, and, 
3) Have passed either the Northeast Regional Board Examination (NERB) or the ADEX examination as administered by NERB or any other state or regional board.  The State Board will recognize successful completion of either exam for up to five years; after five years, the State Board will review each request for licensure on a case by case basis.  

Dentists licensed in other states seeking a New Jersey dental license also may be eligible for licensure by reciprocity.  

In addition, all licensees are required to complete a criminal history backgrounds checks (CHBC), and successfully complete a New Jersey law and jurisprudence examination.

The licensure cycle runs from November 1st of an odd-number year to October 31st of the following odd-number year.  Dental licenses must be renewed biennially (every two years). If a license is not renewed within thirty days of its expiration, it is automatically suspended.  Any individual who continues to practice with a suspended license is deemed to be engaged in the unlicensed practice of dentistry (NJAC 13:30-8.6). 

See regulations beginning on page 5 of the NJ Administrative Code.

Any person in possession of any controlled substances and who desires or is required to dispose of such substances may request assistance from the DEA NJ Division for authority and instruction for disposal.  If the person is a registrant, he/she shall list the controlled substance or substances on DEA Form 41, available on DEA’s website, and submit three copies of that form to the DEA Special Agent in Charge in his/her area; or, alternatively, registrants may contact the New Jersey Drug Control Unit, receive instructions, and complete and submit a DDC Form 51, available online from the NJ Drug Control Unit.

No dentist may administer, dispense or prescribe any pharmacological agent in a dosage which has the potential to inhibit patient response beyond anxiolysis (i.e. the diminution or elimination of anxiety) without the possession of an enteral sedation permit issued for a specific practice location by the New Jersey State Board of Dentistry and renewed biennially.  

No permit is necessary when a licensee provides the recommended therapeutic dose to reduce anxiety for a particular patient and the effect of the medication would not produce a depressed level of consciousness.  

A dentist who holds a current general anesthesia permit or a current parenteral conscious sedation permit issued by the State Board is authorized to use enteral sedation without obtaining an enteral sedation permit.

To be eligible for an Enteral Conscious Sedation Permit, a dentist must satisfy all the application requirements found in the regulations beginning at page 65 of NJAC 13:30-8.4. 

No dentist shall administer, dispense or prescribe any pharmacological agent which shall cause a patient to lapse into deep sedation unless the dentist possesses a general anesthesia (GA) permit issued by the State Board of Dentistry. 

A general anesthesia permit must be renewed every two years and permit holders must complete twenty hours of State Board-approved continuing education in general anesthesia biennially.  Facilities offering general anesthesia are required to be inspected by the State Board or its designee once every six years and are required to maintain certain equipment, drugs and supplies.  

Detailed regulations governing application for a General Anesthesia permit and the use of General Anesthesia can be found beginning on page 63 of the NJ Administrative Code.

A dentist may administer an injectable pharmacologic for the cosmetic or functional enhancement of peri-oral tissue only in a dental treatment setting after having completed a State Board approved post-doctoral course offered in an accredited dental school, hospital-based program or a college or university setting.  

A dentist can only administer, dispense or prescribe injectable pharmacologics after conducting an appropriate physical exam. The complete injectable pharmacoligics regulation can be found at NJAC 13:30-8.4A, beginning on p. 70.

Effective February 1, 2016, subject to limited exceptions, persons authorized by law to prescribe drugs or medicines will not be permitted to dispense more that a seven day supply to any patient, and may not charge more that 10% above the cost paid by the doctor for the drugs or medicines. 

When a controlled dangerous substance is dispensed, the doctor must distribute to the patient a copy of a notice that will advise patients about (1) the availability of drug take-back programs sponsored by local, state, or federal government agencies, and (2) how to obtain information from those programs concerning where unused prescription drugs may be dropped off for safe, secure, efficient, and environmentally sound disposal.  

The statute applies only to drugs that are dispensed, not to drugs that are prescribed.  Further, a separate CDS permit is required for each location at which controlled dangerous substances are dispensed.

A dentist may delegate to a licensed dental hygienist pursuant to NJAC 13:30-1A.2 (beginning on p. 11) or to a registered dental assistant pursuant to NJAC 13:30-2.4,(beginning on p. 28) the monitoring of a patient receiving nitrous oxide.  In all instances, the actual administration of the nitrous oxide must be performed by the dentist, who shall exercise direct supervision and full responsibility for the patient.  

Detailed requirements for the delegation of the monitoring of a patient receiving nitrous oxide are spelled out in the State Board regulation at NJAC 13:30-8.20, beginning on p. 88. 

No permit requirement has been adopted by the State Board with respect to monitoring nitrous oxide.

Dentists who administer parenteral conscious sedation (PCS) to patients must possess a permit for a specified practice location issued by the State Board and renewed biennially.  A licensed dentist holding a current general anesthesia permit issued by the New Jersey State Board of Dentistry is authorized to administer PCS without separately obtaining a PCS permit.  PCS includes the administration of medications via intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous, submucosal and inhalation routes, but does not include nitrous oxide inhalation analgesia.

To be eligible for a PCS permit, a dentist must satisfy all the application requirements found in the regulations beginning on page 60 of the NJ Administrative Code.

The New Jersey Prescription Drug Monitoring program (NJPMP) was established as a tool to address the problem of prescription drug abuse.  The NJPMP is an on-line data base that tracks the prescription sale of drugs classified as controlled dangerous substances (CDS). 

Effective November 1, 2015, the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs will register every dentist and other prescribing practitioner to access prescription monitoring information upon issuance or renewal of the practitioner’s CDS registration.  Dentists, and dental hygienists, registered dental assistants or dental residents authorized by them, are required to access prescription monitoring information the first time the practitioner prescribes a Schedule II CDS to a new patient for acute or chronic pain.  In addition, for any prescription of a Schedule II CDS for a new or current patient, a practitioner or other authorized person must access prescription monitoring information on a quarterly basis during the period of time the patient continues to receive such prescriptions.  Penalties may be imposed for non-compliance.

Each dental office location that generates regulated medical waste must register with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection as a medical waste generator and must comply with state regulations governing the storage and disposal of regulated medical waste (RMW).  Regulated Medical Waste is defined as “any solid waste, generated in the diagnosis, treatment (for example, provision of medical services), or immunization of human beings or animals, in research pertaining thereto, or in the production or testing of biologicals, that is not excluded or exempted” in the regulation.

Carpules generated at a dentist’s office are considered RMW.  Orthodontic wires, brackets and bonding material are generally not considered RMW, but must be disposed of as sharps.  In addition, paper towels or gloves are considered medical waste if: they are saturated with blood or a regulated body fluid OR are either dripping and soaked in, OR are dried or caked with such fluids.

Dentists must contract with a state-approved transporter for the off-site disposal of RMW.  A registration fee must be paid each year, and proof of payment (a cancelled check, for example) should be retained.  RMW must be disposed of at least once a year. A list of approved registered medical waste transporters can be found here.

Dentists who seek to hold themselves out as specialists must first obtain a specialty permit from the State Board.  The following specialties are recognized in New Jersey: Endodontics, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Oral Pathology, Orthodontics, Pediatric Dentistry, Periodontics, Prosthodontics and Public Health.  

There are strict rules governing specialty advertising which have been adopted by the State Board and can be found in the NJ Administrative Code p.50.

All licensees are required to notify the Office of Drug Control in the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs within seventy-two (72) hours of being made aware that any New Jersey Prescription Blank has been stolen or forged. A New Jersey Prescription Blank Incident Report Form must also be completed and filed within seven (7) days after notification. 

As of August 19, 2014, prescribers must use the new prescription blank format, and all old unused prescription blanks were to have been destroyed.


Certification of Destruction Form

Approved NJ Vendors & Printers for Prescription Blanks

Dentists are required to complete, sign and return to the New Jersey Bureau of Radiological Health (NJBRH) a “Registration of a Radiation Producing Machine” form for each new unit and to pay an annual registration fee for each x-ray head in the office.  Whenever a new machine is installed or an existing machine is moved, a radiological survey conducted by a qualified individual must be performed within 60 days of installation/moving and a copy of the survey must be submitted to the NJBRH.  The NJBRH conducts on-site inspections; traditionally, state inspectors call ahead to schedule these inspections.  The Bureau’s goal is to inspect each dental office once every three years.

             To dispose of an x-ray unit, remove all New Jersey Registration labels, remove the head from the unit and cut off the electric cord if present.  Do not smash the x-ray tube since it is under a vacuum.  Once disabled, the x-ray unit can be removed by a local trash company.  A “Disposed Machine Form” must be filed with the NJBRH before disposing of the unit.

             To dispose of lead film sheets and x-ray chemicals, contact the company that handles your amalgam waste, or click here for a list of medical and dental waste recyclers. Most companies will also pick up waste chemicals and lead film sheets.

             The Bureau also issues dental radiography certificates to qualified dental assistants.  To qualify, an individual must be at least eighteen (18) years old, have successfully completed a state-approved dental x-ray educational program at a designated institution or office, and passed an examination administered by the NJBRH.  Only dentists and individuals licensed as radiologic technologists can operate dental x-ray equipment on humans.  Additional information may be found on the web site of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection or by contacting the Bureau of Radiological Health​.