Dentist initial licence

Category description 

This licence category is for dentists who will be practising as general dentists/practitioners.  

General licence requirements 

• a degree or equivalent qualification from an accredited general dentistry program or equivalent general dentistry program  
• successful completion of the National Dental Examining Board (NDEB) examinations no more than three years before the date of your application for licence to BCCOHP.
  • If your NDEB was completed more than three years ago, and/or you are not currently licensed or registered in another Canadian jurisdiction, you may have to complete an equivalency determination process. You can continue to submit an application. BCCOHP staff will reach out to provide further information upon receipt and review of your application.     

Registration conditions 

• None  

This online application process will require you to open a web account and submit the required information for your licensing process with BCCOHP. If you already have a web account from before, you can apply using the same account.  

• Your application must be completed in one attempt.  
• If you logout or close your web browser, your partially completed application will not be saved.  
• You will be able to upload documents after your application has been completed.  
• The online application process may take up to 20 minutes.  
• The general application processing time is eight weeks. Please note that incomplete applications or insufficient information may delay your application process.  
• A criminal record check (CRC) may take four weeks to process. To ensure timely submission, please submit your initial payment and notarized copy of two pieces of government issued photo ID, as soon as you can.  

​Step 1: Create an online account 

If you have not been licensed with BCCOHP, you will need to create a new account. Once you complete reading the following instructions, click on “Apply now >>” at the bottom to create an online account to start the application process. You will be required to enter your contact information. 

Step 2: Log in to start application 

You will require the following information to complete the online application form:  

• Contact information – home and practice addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses (if applicable)  
• BC Driver’s Licence number or other form of government issued photo identification  
• Dental education – institution, graduation/conferral date, degree received  
• National Dental Examination Board (NDEB) certification information  
• Names of other jurisdiction(s) you have been registered with, along with dates  
• Professional liability insurance information  

Step 3: Submit payment of application and criminal record check (CRC) fees 

Once the application is completed, you will be prompted to pay the application and criminal record check fees (non-refundable).  

NOTE: A separate payment of the licence fee will be required once BCCOHP staff have confirmed application completion. This takes place closer to the end of the application process.  

Payment options are as follows:  

• Credit Card (VISA, Mastercard)  
• Cheque/money order (mail)  

Step 4: Submit/upload required documents 

Once you have completed the application, you will be able to upload the required documents. For documents that require notarization, please only upload these documents after they are notarized.  

For all documents that require notarization, the original must be received by the BCCOHP office. Please submit your documents via mail.​ For our main mailing address, please visit our contact page​.​  

• Notarized Statutory declaration (available for download during the application process)  

• Notarized Photo Identification Notarization form, along with notarized photocopy of two pieces of photo ID (one primary and one secondary, or two primary) 

• Notarized or certified copy of education degree/diploma*†  

• Notarized or certified copy of NDEB certificate​*†  

• Certificates or Letters of Standing from jurisdictions currently and/or previously licensed or registered with  

• Name change documents (if required)  

*If the applicant is currently licensed or registerd to practise dentistry in another Canadian jurisdiction, and the applicant is applying for the same or equivalent licence class in BC while they hold active licence in the other Canadian jurisdiction, submission of these documents is not required.  

†If confirmation of successful completion is provided to BCCOHP by your educational institution or the NDEB directly, notarization of these documents is not required during submission.  

IMPORTANT: If you have ever been or are currently licensed or registered in another province or country, please contact that provincial or national regulatory body to request a Certificate of Standing or Letter of Standing for your BCCOHP application. The certificate must be delivered directly to BCCOHP from the licensing/regulating body in a sealed envelope.  

The certificate is valid for up to 60 days from the date that it was signed. If your licensing process is not completed within 60 days of the dated Certificate of Standing or Letter of Standing, a new certificate will be required.  

Step 5: Submit payment of licence fee 

Once all the required documents are received and your application is ready to be finalized, you will receive an email notification to make your final payment. You will need to log in to your account and pay the licence fee. View the list of dentist registration fees ​on Schedule A.  

Step 7: Licence confirmation 

Once your licence fee has been processed, you will be sent an email from BCCOHP within three to five business days confirming that your status has been changed to active.  

You cannot practise until you receive a licence confirmation email.  

Apply now >> 

Category description 

This licence category is for dentists who are employed by the University of British Columbia (UBC)’s Faculty of Dentistry, or another approved post-secondary educational institution, with a teaching position. 

General licence requirements 

• a degree or equivalent qualification in dentistry from an accredited post-secondary educational institution; 
• must hold, or have been appointed to hold, a teaching position of dentistry at UBC’s Faculty of Dentistry, or as a faculty of another post-secondary educational institution approved by the Licence Committee. 

Licence conditions 

• may only practise dentistry during the term appointed to a position in a setting operated by, or affiliated with, UBC or other approved post-secondary educational institution 
• may only practise dentistry for the purposes described above and must not practise dentistry in any other context or on a fee-for-service basis. 
• only valid while employed by UBC or other approved post-secondary institution. Licence ceases upon termination of the position. 

Application package 

Limited (Academic) Registration 

IMPORTANT: If you have ever been or are currently licensed or registered in another province or country, please contact that provincial or national regulatory body to request a Certificate of Standing or Letter of Standing for your BCCOHP application. The Certificate must be delivered directly to BCCOHP from the licensing/regulating body in a sealed envelope. 

The Certificate is valid for up to 60 days from the date that it was signed. If applicant does not have their licensing process completed within the 60 days, a new Certificate will be required. 

Category description 

This licence category is for dentists who do not qualify for Full Dentist Licence with BCCOHP. A Limited (Restricted-to-Specialty) dentist’s practice is restricted to their area of specialty. 

General licence requirements 

• a degree or equivalent qualification in a recognized specialty from an accredited specialty program or equivalent specialty program; 
• successful completion of the National Dental Specialty Examination (NDSE) no more than three years before the date or your application for licence to BCCOHP. 
  • If your NDSE was completed more than three years ago, and/or you are not currently licensed or registered in another Canadian jurisdiction, you may have to complete an equivalency determination process. You can continue to submit an application. BCCOHP staff will reach out to provide further information upon receipt and review of your application.   

Registration conditions 

• may only perform restricted activities included in the scope of practice for applicable specialty 

Application package 

Limited (Restricted-to-Specialty) 

IMPORTANT: If you have ever been or are currently licensed or registered in another province or country, please contact that provincial or national regulatory body to request a Certificate of Standing or Letter of Standing for your BCCOHP application. The Certificate must be delivered directly to BCCOHP from the licensing/regulating body in a sealed envelope. 

The Certificate is valid for up to 60 days from the date that it was signed. If applicant does not have their licensing process completed within the 60 days, a new Certificate will be required.  

Category description 

This licence category is available to dentists for the purpose of conducting or participating in education or training relating to dental hygiene, , or delivering an examination or assessment that is sponsored by an agency approved by the licence committee. . 

General licence requirements 

• Holds current licence or registration in another jurisdiction as the equivalent of a Full Dentist Licence or Limited (Restricted to Specialty) Licence in BC and is not subject to any practice restrictions, limits or conditions relevant to the practice of a dentist holding Full Dentist Licence or Limited (Restricted to Specialty) Licence in BC 

Licence conditions 

• may be granted for a period not exceeding 30 days and may be granted again to a previous temporary licensee 
• may only practise dentistry for the purpose described above and must not practise dentistry on a fee-for-service basis. 

Application package 

Temporary registration 

IMPORTANT: If you have ever been or are currently licensed or registered in another province or country, please contact that provincial or national regulatory body to request a Certificate of Standing or Letter of Standing for your BCCOHP application. The certificate must be delivered directly to BCCOHP from the licensing/regulating body in a sealed envelope. 

The certificate is valid for up to 60 days from the date that it was signed. If the applicant does not have their licensing process completed within the 60 days, a new certificate will be required.