Dentist initial registration

Category description

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

General registration 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) written and clinical examinations (if completed more than three years before the date of application, and you are not currently registered in a Canadian Jurisdiction, you must meet BCCOHP’s Quality Assurance requirements) 

Registration conditions

• None 

This online application process will require you to open a web account and submit the required information for your registration 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 5-6 weeks. Please note that incomplete applications or insufficient information may delay your application process. 
• A criminal record check (CRC) may take 4 weeks to process. To ensure timely submission, please submit your initial payment and notarized copy of government issued photo ID, required for CRC submission, as soon as you can. 

​Step 1: Create an online account

If you have not been a registrant with BCCOHP, you will need to create a new account. Click on Create Account to start the application process. You will be required to enter your name and 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 photoidentification 
• Dental education – institution, graduation/conferral date, degree received 
• National Dental Examination Board (NDEB) certification information (if completed more than three years before the date of application, and you are not currently registered in a Canadian Jurisdiction, BCCOHP’s Quality Assurance requirements must be met)​ 
• Names of other jurisdiction(s) you have been registered with, along with dates 
• Malpractice 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 registration 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) 
• Interac (TD Canada Trust, First Nations Bank of Canada, and most BC Credit Unions are accepted) 
• 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. At this time, we ask that you send via mail rather than delivering in person.​ For our mailing address, please visit our contact page​.​ 

• Notarized Statutory declaration (available for download during the application process) 
• Notarized copy of government issued photo ID 
• 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 registered/certified with 
• Name change documents (if required) 

*If the applicant is currently registered/certified to practise dentistry in another Canadian jurisdiction, and the applicant is applying for the same or equivalent registration class in BC while they hold active registration 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 registered/licensed 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 registration application is not completed within 60 days of the dated Certificate of Standing or Letter of Standing, a new certificate will be required. If you are applying in advance for a specific start date, your Certificate of Standing or Letter of Standing must be dated within 60 days of the specified start date. 

Step 5: Submit payment of registration 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 registration fee. View the list of fees ​on Schedule A. 

Step 6: Registration confirmation

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

You cannot practise until you receive a registration confirmation email. 

Click here to download step by step instructions. 

Apply now >> 

Category description

This registration category is for dentists who are employed full-time by the University of British Columbia (UBC)’s Faculty of Dentistry, or another approved post-secondary educational institution, as a full, associate or assistant professor.

General registration requirements

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

Registration 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. Registration ceases upon termination of the position

Application package

Limited (Academic) Registration

IMPORTANT: If you have ever been or are currently registered/licensed 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 registration/certification process completed within the 60 days, a new Certificate will be required.

Category description

This category is available to dentists who are applying solely to practise dentistry while employed by the Canadian Armed Services or the Government of Canada.

General registration requirements

• a degree or equivalent qualification from an accredited general dentistry program or equivalent general dentistry program;
• a National Dental Examining Board (NDEB) certificate (if completed more than three years before the date of application, and you are not currently registered in a Canadian Jurisdiction, BCCOHP’s Quality Assurance requirements must be met); or
• valid and non-restricted registration or licensure (equivalent to full registration) in another Canadian jurisdiction.

Registration conditions

• does not include prescribing rights.
• only valid while employed by the Canadian Armed Services or the Government of Canada

Application package

Limited (Armed Services or Government) Registration

IMPORTANT: If you have ever been or are currently registered/licensed 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 registration/certification process completed within the 60 days, a new Certificate will be required.

Category description

This registration category is for dentists engaged in a clinical presentation, study club, or dental teaching program at, or under the sponsorship of, the UBC’s Faculty of Dentistry or another organization approved by the College’s Registration Committee. This includes the supervision of students, presenting, conducting or engaging in a clinical or didactic presentation, study club, research program, or dental teaching program.

General registration requirements

• a degree or equivalent qualification from a listed (accredited) general dentistry program or equivalent general dentistry program;
• a National Dental Examining Board (NDEB) certificate (if completed more than three years before the date of application, and you are not currently registered in a Canadian Jurisdiction, BCCOHP’s Quality Assurance requirements must be met)

Registration conditions

• 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.
• does not include prescribing rights, though they may be granted on a case-by-case basis.

Application package

Limited (Education) Registration

IMPORTANT: If you have ever been or are currently registered/licensed 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 registration/certification process completed within the 60 days, a new Certificate will be required.

Category description

This registration category is for dentists who are providing dentistry strictly as a volunteer and are not practising fee-for-service dentistry (i.e., they are not receiving any financial compensation for volunteering services, other than reimbursement for expenses).

General registration requirements

• a degree or equivalent qualification from an accredited general dentistry program or equivalent general dentistry program;
• a National Dental Examining Board (NDEB) certificate (if completed more than three years before the date of application, and you are not currently registered in a Canadian Jurisdiction, BCCOHP’s Quality Assurance requirements must be met)

Registration conditions

• does not include prescribing rights though they may be granted on a case-by-case basis.

Application package

Limited (Volunteer) Registration

IMPORTANT: If you have ever been or are currently registered/licensed 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 registration/certification process completed within the 60 days, a new Certificate will be required.

Category description

This registration category is for dentists who do not qualify for Full Registration with BCCOHP. A Limited (restricted to specialty) registrant’s practice is restricted to their area of specialty.” A “Restricted to Specialty” registrant’s practice is restricted to their area of specialty.

General registration 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) (if completed more than three years before the date of application, and you are not currently registered in a Canadian Jurisdiction, BCCOHP’s Quality Assurance requirements must be met)

Registration conditions

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

Application package

Limited (Restricted-to-Specialty)

IMPORTANT: If you have ever been or are currently registered/licensed 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 registration/certification process completed within the 60 days, a new Certificate will be required. 

Category description

This registration category is available to dentists solely for the purpose of taking or engaging in a course, clinic placement, research program, internship, or residency offered at the post-graduate level by or under the sponsorship of the Faculty of Dentistry at the University of British Columbia (UBC), or another post-secondary institution, hospital, or other institution approved by the Registration Committee.

General registration requirements

• a degree or equivalent qualification in dentistry from a post-secondary educational institution;

Registration conditions

• 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.
• may only perform a restricted activity if the registrant is authorized by an educational institution, hospital, or other institution approved by the Registration Committee to provide services of dentistry that include the performance of the restricted activity.
• does not include prescribing rights, though they may be granted on a case-by-case basis.

Application package

Student Registrant – Post-Graduate

IMPORTANT: If you have ever been or are currently registered/licensed 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 registration/certification process completed within the 60 days, a new Certificate will be required.

Category description

This registration category is available to dental students who are enrolled as undergraduates in the Faculty of Dentistry at the University of British Columbia (UBC) or another post-secondary educational institution approved by the Registration Committee, and are participating in a dental student’s practitioners program also approved by the Registration Committee.

General registration requirements

• successful completion of or have received credit for the first three years of the undergraduate program of the Faculty of Dentistry at UBC or the equivalent portion of another program as indicated above.

Registration conditions

• this registration category is available for a period not exceeding four months
• may only perform a restricted activity in a dental office or other clinical setting under the direct supervision of a dentist.

Application package

Student Registrant – Student Practitioner

Category description

This registration category is available to dentists for the purpose of taking or presenting a dental course that involves direct contact with patients, conducting or engaging in a clinical presentation or study club involving direct contact with patients at or under the sponsorship of UBC’s Faculty of Dentistry, another post-secondary educational institution, or a dental or other group or organization approved by the Registration Committee.

General registration requirements

• a degree or equivalent qualification in dentistry from a post-secondary educational institution;

Registration conditions

• may be granted for a period not exceeding 30 days and may be granted again to a previous temporary registrant
• 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 registered/licensed 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 registration/certification process completed within the 60 days, a new certificate will be required.