Requirements by Certificate Type
All dentists practicing within Ontario are members of the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario. A valid certificate of registration is required to perform the procedures that are authorized to dentists.
Use the tabs below to learn more about each type of certificate of registration (licence).
To apply for a general certificate of registration (licence), use our online applicant portal to fill out your application, upload documents, pay the required fees and submit it to the College.
Your application form is only valid for three months once it is submitted.
Complete instructions, including lists of required supporting documentation, are provided as part of the online application process. Review the information on our website to understand the application process, our requirements and your responsibilities as an applicant.
Required Fees
Applicant fees include a non-refundable application fee, a registration fee, and the current annual licence fee. Payment must be received before the College can issue your licence.
Date of registration |
Application Fee |
Annual licence Fee |
Total Fee |
On or after January 1 |
$350 |
$3,170 |
$3,520 |
On or after June 1 |
$350 |
$1,585 |
$1,935 |
On or after September 1 |
$350 |
$885 |
$1,235 |
*All fees must be made in Canadian dollars.
You can make your payment by credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Amex) or certified cheque made payable to The Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario. All certified cheques must be issued by a Canadian bank or be a Canadian Money Order. Submitting payment by a certified cheque or money order may result in delays to the processing of your application.
All General licenses expire on December 31 each year, and must be renewed by December 15.
Applicant requirements
- You must have a university degree in dentistry that proves the successful completion of an education in dental studies of at least four years.
- You must hold a certificate of the National Dental Examining Board of Canada (NDEB), issued before January 1994, or successfully completed the NDEB examination.
- Since getting your NDEB certificate or obtaining a license to practice dentistry without restriction in Canada, you have not stopped practising dentistry on a regular basis in Canada, the U.S., Australia, Ireland or New Zealand for a period of more than three years.
- You demonstrate the ability to speak and write English or French with reasonable fluency.
- You have successfully completed the RCDSO’s Jurisprudence and Ethics course. Click here to find out how to take this exam. If you have already taken this course, the results are valid for three years from the date of completion.
- You are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or have authorization under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to work in a health profession in Canada.
- If you were licensed as a dentist and practised dentistry in another jurisdiction in Canada or in another country, you are not currently or have not been disciplined, suspended, had your licence revoked or been the subject of a finding of professional misconduct, incompetence or incapacity.
- Your full name on your application must match the name on your dental program degree. If not, provide a copy of name change documentation with your application.
- You have not been charged and/or convicted of a criminal offense in any Canadian or international jurisdiction.
Are you an international applicant? Read more here.
Are you an out-of-province applicant? Read more here.
Questions?
Read the Applicant FAQs.
registration@rcdso.org
416-961-6555
1-800-565-4591
All information is subject to change. Applications will be governed by the regulations, and College by-laws and policies in place at the time of submission. If there is any discrepancy information, the requirements stated in regulations shall prevail.
Source: The Regulated Health Professions Acts, 1991; Dentistry Act, 1991, Regulation 205/94: General
To apply for a general certificate of registration (licence), use our online applicant portal to fill out your application, upload documents, pay the required fees and submit it to the College
Your application form is only valid for three months once it is submitted.
Complete instructions, including lists of required supporting documentation, are provided as part of the online application process. Review the information on our website.
Required Fees
Applicant fees include a non-refundable application fee, and the current annual licence fee. Payment must be received before the College can issue your licence.
Date of registration |
Application Fee |
Annual licence Fee |
Total Fee |
On or after January 1 |
$350 |
$3,075 |
$3,425 |
On or after June 1 |
$350 |
$1,540 |
$1,890 |
On or after September 1 |
$350 |
$885 |
$1,235 |
*All fees must be made in Canadian dollars.
You can make your payment by credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Amex) or certified cheque made payable to The Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario. All certified cheques must be issued by a Canadian bank or be a Canadian Money Order. Submitting payment by certified cheque or money order may result in delays to the processing of your application.
All Academic licenses expire on December 31 each year and must be renewed annually by December 15.
Applicant requirements
- You must have a university degree in dentistry that proves the successful completion of an education in dental studies of at least four years.
- You must hold a full-time professional appointment at a faculty/school of dentistry at an Ontario university. The University must provide a letter from the Dean of the faculty/school of dentistry that verifies your appointment and start date (if applicable, an end date).
- You demonstrate the ability to speak and write English or French with reasonable fluency.
- You have successfully completed RCDSO’s Jurisprudence and Ethics course. Click here to find out how to take this exam. If you have previously taken the course, the results are valid for a three-year period from the date of completion.
- You are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or have authorization under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to work in a health profession in Canada.
- If you are or were licensed as a dentist and practised dentistry in another jurisdiction in Canada or in another country, you are not or have not been disciplined, suspended, had your licence revoked or the subject of a finding of professional misconduct, incompetence or incapacity.
- Your full name on your application must match the name on your dental program degree. If not, provide a copy of name change documentation with your application.
- You have not been charged and/or convicted of a criminal offense in any Canadian or international jurisdiction.
Limitations of Academic Licence
- An academic licence only permits the practice of dentistry in:
- a faculty/school of dentistry or;
- a hospital/facility formally associated with that dental faculty/school.
- Private practice of dentistry is prohibited. Dentists with an academic licence may not charge fees for services within the scope of practice of dentistry. This does not affect the ability of the faculty/school of dentistry or hospital or facility formally associated with that faculty/school to charge fees for dental services.
Questions?
Read the Applicant FAQs.
registration@rcdso.org
416-961-6555
1-800-565-4591
All information is subject to change. Applications will be governed by the regulations, and College by-laws and policies in place at the time of submission. If there is any discrepancy information, the requirements stated in regulations shall prevail.
Source: The Regulated Health Professions Acts, 1991; Dentistry Act, 1991, Regulation 205/94: General
To apply for a general certificate of registration (licence), use our online applicant portal to fill out your application, upload documents, pay the required fees and submit it to the College.
Your application form is only valid for three months once it is submitted.
Complete instructions, including lists of required supporting documentation, are provided as part of the online application process. Review the information on our website to understand the application process, our requirements and your responsibilities as an applicant.
Required Fees
Applicant fees include a non-refundable application fee, a registration fee and the current annual licence renewal fee. Payment must be received before the College can issue your licence.
If you already hold an RCDSO general or academic licence and also want to apply for a specialty licence, you are only required to pay the $350 application fee.
Date of application |
Application Fee |
Annual licence Fee |
Total Fee |
On or after January 1 |
$350 |
$3,170 |
$3,520 |
On or after June 1 |
$350 |
$1,585 |
$1,935 |
On or after September 1 |
$350 |
$885 |
$1,235 |
*All fees must be made in Canadian dollars.
You can make your payment by credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Amex) or certified cheque made payable to The Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario. Submitting payment by a certified cheque or money order may result in delays to the processing of your application. All certified cheques must be issued by a Canadian bank or be a Canadian Money Order.
All Specialty licenses expire on December 31 each year and must be renewed annually by December 15.
Applicant requirements
- You have a university degree in dentistry that proves the successful completion of an education in dental studies of at least four years.
- You have successfully completed and earned a diploma or degree in one of the following speciality programs and are applying for a related specialty licence.
Specialty Program
Minimum length of program
Endodontics
22 months (full-time instruction)
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
48 months (full-time instruction)
Oral Pathology
33 months (full-time instruction)
Oral Medicine
*Programs from the U.S. are not accepted
33 months (full-time instruction)
Oral Radiology
22 months (full-time instruction)
Orthodontics
22 months (full-time instruction)
Pediatric Dentistry
22 months (full-time instruction)
Periodontics
22 months (full-time instruction)
Prosthodontics
22 months (full-time instruction)
Public Health Dentistry
22 months (full-time instruction)
Dental Anesthesia
*The only approved program is the University of Toronto. Programs from the U.S. are not accepted22 months (full-time instruction)
*All specialty diploma and degree programs must be taken in Canada in or the United States and must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada (CDAC) or recognized by CDAC under the terms of a reciprocal agreement.
- You successfully completed the specialty examinations for the specialty licence you are applying for. The national dental specialty examination are administered by The Royal College of Dentists of Canada (RCDC) as of 2024 and by the NDEB prior to June 2023. Contact the RCDC for more information.
- Since the successful completion of your specialty program, there has not been a three-year period which you have not engaged in your specific area of specialty on a continuous basis in Canada or the United States.
- You demonstrate the ability to speak and write English or French with reasonable fluency.
- You have successfully completed the RCDSO’s Jurisprudence and Ethics course. Click here to find out how to take the course. If you have already taken this course, the results are valid for three years from the date of completion. Current members holding a general certificate of registration are not required to take the course.
- If you were licensed as a dentist and practised dentistry in another jurisdiction in Canada or in another country, you are not currently or have not been disciplined, suspended, had your licence revoked or the subject of a finding of professional misconduct, incompetence or incapacity.
- You are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or have authorization under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to work in a health profession in Canada.
- You have not been charged and/or convicted of a criminal offense in any Canadian or international jurisdiction.
International Applicants
Graduates of non-accredited international dental specialty programs must do one of the following:
- Successfully complete an accredited specialty program in Canada
-
Successfully complete The Royal College of Dentists of Canada (RCDC) and a Canadian university Dental Specialty Assessment and Training Program (DSATP) offered by the University of Toronto or the University of British Columbia. Successful completion of the Dental Specialty Core Knowledge Exam (DSCKE) and a DSATP will make you eligible to take RCDC’s National Dental Specialty Examination.
Limitations of Specialty Licence
- You are not entitled to practice general dentistry or controlled acts outside of the scope of practice of dentistry of the applicable specialty, unless you also hold a general licence.
Questions?
Read the Applicant FAQs.
registration@rcdso.org
416-961-6555
1-800-565-4591
All information is subject to change. Applications will be governed by the regulations, and College by-laws and policies in place at the time of submission. If there is any discrepancy information, the requirements stated in regulations shall prevail.
Source: The Regulated Health Professions Acts, 1991; Dentistry Act, 1991, Regulation 205/94: General
To apply for an Education certificate of registration (licence), use our online applicant portal to fill out your application, upload documents, pay the required fees and submit it to the College.
Your application form is only valid for three months once it is submitted. Please do not submit your application more than three months prior to the program start date.
Review the information on our website to understand the application process, our requirements and your responsibilities as an applicant.
The Education license is applicable to some fellowship programs and to the following specialty programs:
- Dental Anaesthesia ‐ University of Toronto
- Oral Pathology/Oral Medicine ‐ University of Toronto
- Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery ‐ University of Toronto
- General Practice Residency – University of Toronto
- Dental Specialty Assessment and Training Program (DSATP) – University of Toronto
Programs approved by the Registration Committee eligible for an Education certificate:
- Continuing Dental Education Advanced Training in Orofacial Pain Management – University of Toronto
- Advanced Training Fellowship in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (ATFOMS) – University of Toronto
- Advanced Training in Hospital Dentistry – University of Toronto
- Surgical & Prosthetic Implant Treatment Program for International Trained Dentists (Referred to as ITI Scholar) – University of Toronto
- Fellowship in Dental Oncology Fellowship at Princess Margaret Cancer Center – University of Toronto
- General Practice Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Fellowship – University of Toronto
Contact the Registration department to confirm whether your program qualifies for an education certificate of registration.
Required Fees
Applicant fees include a non-refundable application fee and the current annual licence fee. Payment must be received before the College can issue your licence.
Application Fee |
Annual Licence Fee |
Total Fee |
$150 |
$3,075 |
$3,225 |
*All fees must be made in Canadian dollars.
You can make your payment by credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Amex) or certified cheque made payable to The Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario. All certified cheques must be issued by a Canadian bank or be a Canadian Money Order. Submitting payment by a certified cheque or money order may result in delays to the processing of your application.
Applicant requirements
- You have a university degree in dentistry that proves the successful completion of an education in dental studies of at least four years.
- You have a written offer of admission to one of the following:
- A public hospital-based dental internship program in Ontario
- A public hospital-based dental residency program in Ontario
- A dental education program position approved by a faculty/school of dentistry in Ontario, different from those referred to above (a and b)
*The internship, residency or education program must be an accredited program by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada or by another accreditation body approved by RCDSO.
- You demonstrate the ability to speak and write English or French with reasonable fluency.
- You are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or have authorization under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to work in a health profession in Canada.
- If you are or were licensed as a dentist and practised dentistry in another jurisdiction in Canada or in another country, you are not or have not been disciplined, suspended, had your licence revoked or the subject of a finding of professional misconduct, incompetence or incapacity.
- You have not been charged and/or convicted of a criminal offense in any Canadian or international jurisdiction.
Limitations of Education Licence
- An education licence is revoked 12 months from the date it was issued or as soon as the internship, residency or position ends.
- An education licence only allows for practice of dentistry within the scope of your specific internship, residency or educational position. This licence only allows you to practise under the direction of:
- A member of medical or dental staff of the hospital where your internship or residency is taking place
- A member of the academic staff of the dentistry faculty that approved the position.
- For programs approved by the Registration Committee, this licence only allows you to practice under the supervision of:
- A member of medical or dental staff off the hospital where your internship or residency is taking place
- A member of the academic staff of the dentistry faculty that approved the position
- An education licence does not allow a dentist to charge a fee for any services within the practice of dentistry.
Questions?
registration@rcdso.org
416-961-6555
1-800-565-4591
All information is subject to change. Applications will be governed by the regulations, and College by-laws and policies in place at the time of submission. If there is any discrepancy information, the requirements stated in regulations shall prevail.
Source: The Regulated Health Professions Acts, 1991; Dentistry Act, 1991, Regulation 205/94: General
To apply for a graduate student certificate of registration (licence), use our online applicant portal to fill out your application, upload documents, pay the required fees and submit it to the College.
Your application form is only valid for three months once it is submitted. Please do not submit your application more than three months prior to the program start date.
The Graduate Student license is applicable to the following specialty programs:
- Dental Public Health ‐ University of Toronto
- Endodontics ‐ University of Toronto
- Oral Radiology ‐ University of Toronto
- Pediatrics ‐ University of Toronto
- Periodontics ‐ University of Toronto
- Prosthodontics ‐ University of Toronto
- Orthodontics ‐ University of Toronto/University of Western Ontario
Contact the Registration department to confirm whether your program qualifies for a Graduate Student certificate of registration.
Required Fees
Applicant fees include a non-refundable application fee and an annual fee. Payment must be received before the College can issue your licence.
Application Fee |
Annual Fee |
Total Fee |
$150 |
$100 |
$250 |
*All fees must be made in Canadian dollars.
You can make your payment by credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Amex) or certified cheque made payable to The Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario. All certified cheques must be issued by a Canadian bank or be a Canadian Money Order. Submitting payment by a certified cheque or money order may result in delays to the processing of your application.
Applicant requirements
- You have a university degree in dentistry that proves the successful completion of an education in dental studies of at least four years.
- You have been accepted as a student:
- In a faculty/school of dentistry at an Ontario university in a graduate or post-graduate dental program, other than an internship or residency program. The dental program must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada or another accreditation body approved by RCDSO.
- In a faculty/school of dentistry at an Ontario university in a graduate or postgraduate dental program, other than an internship or residency program. The dental program must be approved by RCDSO’s governing Council.
- In faculty/school of dentistry at an Ontario university in a master or PhD program, other than an internship or residency program that requires the performance of acts authorized to registered dentists.
- You demonstrate the ability to speak and write English or French with reasonable fluency.
- You are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or have authorization under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to work in a health profession in Canada.
- If you are or were licensed as a dentist and practised dentistry in another jurisdiction in Canada or in another country, you are not or have not been disciplined, suspended, had your licence revoked or the subject of a finding of professional misconduct, incompetence or incapacity.
- Your full name on your application must match the name on your dental program degree. If not, provide a copy of name change documentation with your application.
- You have not been charged and/or convicted of a criminal offense in any Canadian or international jurisdiction.
Limitations of Graduate Student Licence
Once you are granted a graduate licence from the College:
- You may practice dentistry only as required by the program of studies in which are enrolled, and only under the supervision of a member of the dental facility or dental faculty/school who is also an Ontario registered dentist.
- You may practice dentistry only in the faculty/school of dentistry, or in a hospital or other facility formally associated with that faculty/school.
- You cannot supervise or direct any person regarding performing acts authorized to registered dentists.
- Your licence is automatically revoked when you are no longer enrolled in the graduate dental program or when the program ends.
- You cannot charge a fee for any performed act within the scope of dentistry. This does not affect the ability of the faculty/school of dentistry, or associated hospital/facility, to charge fees for services provided.
Questions?
Read the Applicant FAQs.
registration@rcdso.org
416-961-6555
1-800-565-4591
All information is subject to change. Applications will be governed by the regulations, and College by-laws and policies in place at the time of submission. If there is any discrepancy information, the requirements stated in regulations shall prevail.
Source: The Regulated Health Professions Acts, 1991; Dentistry Act, 1991, Regulation 205/94: General
To apply for a post-specialty training certificate of registration (licence), use our online applicant portal to fill out your application, upload documents, pay the required fees and submit it to the College.
Your application form is only valid for three months once it is submitted. Please do not submit your application more than three months prior to the program start date.
Required Fees
Applicant fees include a non-refundable application fee, a registration fee and the current annual licence fee. Payment must be received before the College can issue your licence.
Application Fee |
Annual Licence Fee |
Total Fee |
$150 |
$3,075 |
$3,425 |
*All fees must be made in Canadian dollars.
You can make your payment by credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Amex) or certified cheque made payable to The Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario. All certified cheques must be issued by a Canadian bank or be a Canadian Money Order. Submitting payment by a certified cheque or money order may result in delays to the processing of your application.
Applicant requirements
- You have a university degree in dentistry that proves the successful completion of an education in dental studies of at least four years.
- You demonstrate the ability to speak and write English or French with reasonable fluency.
- You have successfully completed a speciality program in one of the following:
- Dental anesthesia
- Endodontics
- Oral and maxillofacial surgery
- Oral medicine
- Oral pathology
- Oral and maxillofacial radiology
- Orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics
- Pediatric dentistry
- Periodontics
- Prosthodontics
- Public health dentistry
- You have a written offer of acceptance to a post-specialty dental education program from faculty/school of dentistry at an Ontario university. This program has an emphasis on additional clinical training and/or research to gain further education to your relevant speciality.
- If you are or were licensed as a dentist and practised dentistry in another jurisdiction in Canada or in another country, you:
- are not being or have not been disciplined
- have not be suspended
- have not had your licence revoked
- are not or have not been the subject of a finding of professional misconduct, incompetence or incapacity.
- You are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or have authorization under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to work in a health profession in Canada.
- Your full name on your application must match the name on your dental program degree. If not, provide a copy of name change with application.
- You have not been charged and/or convicted of a criminal offense in any Canadian or international jurisdiction.
Limitations of Post-Specialty Training Licence
- You may practice dentistry only as required for the program of studies you are enrolled in and only under the supervision of another RCDSO registered dentist who is either:
- A member of the dental staff of the faculty/school of dentistry.
- A member of the dental staff of a facility formally associated with the faculty/school of dentistry.
- You cannot supervise or direct any person regarding performing any act or acts that are authorized to RCDSO registered dentists.
- The licence is issued for a specified duration that equals the expected length of the program but does not exceed 12 months. The licence automatically expires after this duration, unless extended by the College’s Registration Committee.
- The licence is automatically revoked if your appointment in the post-specialty dental education program ceases.
- You cannot charge a fee for any performed act within the scope of practice of dentistry.
Questions?
Read the Applicant FAQs.
registration@rcdso.org
416-961-6555
1-800-565-4591
All information is subject to change. Applications will be governed by the regulations, and College by-laws and policies in place at the time of submission. If there is any discrepancy information, the requirements stated in regulations shall prevail.
Source: The Regulated Health Professions Acts, 1991; Dentistry Act, 1991, Regulation 205/94: General
To apply for a short duration certificate of registration (licence), use our online applicant portal to fill out your application, upload documents, pay the required fees and submit it to the College.
Your application form is only valid for three months once it is submitted. Please do not submit your application more than three months prior to the program start date.
Required Fees
Applicant fees include a non-refundable application fee and a registration fee. Payment must be received before the College can issue your licence.
Application Fee |
Registration Fee |
Total Fee |
$150 |
$500 |
$650 |
*All fees must be made in Canadian dollars.
You can make your payment by credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Amex) or certified cheque made payable to The Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario. All certified cheques must be issued by a Canadian bank or be a Canadian Money Order.
Applicant requirements
- You have a university degree in dentistry that proves the successful completion of an education in dental studies of at least four years.
- You are registered to take a course sponsored by a faculty/school of dentistry at an Ontario university, public hospital, or organization approved by RCDSO to sponsor courses.
- You are licenced to practise dentistry independently and without restrictions/conditions in Canada or the United States of America.
- You must provide the College with a written undertaking from an RCDSO registered dentist that holds a general, academic or speciality licence. In the undertaking, the RCDSO registered dentist agrees to provide any necessary patient follow-up care required from treatment you provided throughout the dental course.
- If you were licensed as a dentist and practised dentistry in another jurisdiction in Canada or in another country, you are not currently or have not been disciplined, suspended, had your licence revoked or the subject of a finding of professional misconduct, incompetence or incapacity.
- You are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or have authorization under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to work in a health profession in Canada.
- You have not been charged and/or convicted of a criminal offense in any Canadian or international jurisdiction.
Limitations of Short Duration Licence
- You may practice dentistry only as required for the course for which the licence was issued.
- You can practice dentistry only under the direct supervision of an RCDSO registered dentist that holds a general, speciality, or instructional licence.
- The licence is may only be issued for courses that are 14 days or less.
- The licence will expire when the course for which it was issued ends. The specific expiry date on the licence shall be the day after the course is scheduled to end.
- You may not charge a fee for any acts performed within the practice of dentistry.
Questions?
Read the Applicant FAQs.
registration@rcdso.org
416-961-6555
1-800-565-4591
All information is subject to change. Applications will be governed by the regulations, and College by-laws and policies in place at the time of submission. If there is any discrepancy information, the requirements stated in regulations shall prevail.
Source: The Regulated Health Professions Acts, 1991; Dentistry Act, 1991, Regulation 205/94: General
To apply for an instructional certificate of registration (licence), use our online applicant portal to fill out your application, upload documents, pay the required fees and submit it to the College.
Your application form is only valid for three months once it is submitted. Please do not submit your application more than three months prior to your expected start date.
Required Fees
Applicant fees include a non-refundable application fee and a registration fee. Payment must be received before the College can issue your licence.
Application Fee |
Registration Fee |
Total Fee |
$150 |
$500 |
$650 |
*All fees must be made in Canadian dollars.
You can make your payment by credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Amex) or certified cheque made payable to The Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario. All certified cheques must be issued by a Canadian bank or be a Canadian Money Order. Submitting payment by a certified cheque or money order may result in delays to the processing of your
Applicant requirements
- You have a university degree in dentistry that proves the successful completion of an education in dental studies of at least four years.
- You have a written offer to teach or conduct a course sponsored by faculty/school of dentistry at an Ontario university, public hospital or a by an organization approved by RCDSO’s Council to sponsor courses.
- You provide the College with an undertaking from another RCDSO registered dentist.
- The undertaking must be from another RCDSO registered dentist that holds a general, speciality or academic licence.
- In the undertaking, the other RCDSO registered dentist must agree to:
- Accept the responsibility of being present while you (the applicant) practices dentistry in Ontario.
- Ensure that any necessary follow-up care following your (the applicant’s) treatment is provided to your patients, when required.
- If you are or were licensed as a dentist and practised dentistry in another jurisdiction in Canada or in another country, you are not or have not been disciplined, suspended, had your licence revoked or the subject of a finding of professional misconduct, incompetence or incapacity.
- You are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or have authorization under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to work in a health profession in Canada.
- Your full name on your application must match the name on your dental program degree. If not, provide a copy of name change with application.
- You have not been charged and/or convicted of a criminal offense in any Canadian or international jurisdiction.
Limitations of Instructional Licence
- You may practice dentistry only as required to teach or conduct the course for which the licence was issued.
- The licence may only be issued for courses that are 14 days or less.
- The licence will have a specific expiry date, which is the day after the course is scheduled to end.
- The licence automatically expires when the course ends.
- You cannot charge a fee for any performed act within the scope of dentistry.
Questions?
Read the Applicant FAQs.
registration@rcdso.org
416-961-6555
1-800-565-4591
All information is subject to change. Applications will be governed by the regulations, and College by-laws and policies in place at the time of submission. If there is any discrepancy information, the requirements stated in regulations shall prevail.
Source: The Regulated Health Professions Acts, 1991; Dentistry Act, 1991, Regulation 205/94: General
To apply for an academic visitor certificate of registration (licence), use our online applicant portal to fill out your application, upload documents, pay the required fees and submit it to the College.
Your application form is only valid for three months once it is submitted. Please do not submit your application more than three months prior to your expected start date.
Required Fees
Applicant fees include a non-refundable application fee ($150), plus a registration fee ($750). Payment must be received before the College can issue your licence.
Application Fee |
Registration Fee |
Total Fee |
$150 |
$750 |
$900 |
*All fees must be made in Canadian dollars.
You can make your payment by credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Amex) or certified cheque made payable to The Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario. All certified cheques must be issued by a Canadian bank or be a Canadian Money Order. Submitting payment by a certified cheque or money order may result in delays to the processing of your
Applicant requirements
- You have a university degree in dentistry that proves the successful completion of an education in dental studies of at least four years.
- You have an established academic career and can prove current employment in a dental teaching and/or research position at a university dental faculty/school outside out of Ontario.
- You have been appointed a temporary position of no more than 12 months in an Ontario university dentistry faculty/school providing undergraduate, graduate or post-graduate dental education and/or research.
- You must provide the College with an undertaking that states:
- You will meet the expectations of your temporary academic position in an Ontario university (requirement 3).
- You will return to your original academic position at a university outside of Ontario (requirement 2) once your Academic Visitor licence expires.
- You demonstrate the ability to speak and write English or French with reasonable fluency.
- You are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or have authorization under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to engage in the practise of dentistry in Canada.
- If you are or were licensed as a dentist and practised dentistry in another jurisdiction in Canada or in another country, you are not or have not been disciplined, suspended, had your licence revoked or the subject of a finding of professional misconduct, incompetence or incapacity.
- You must pay the applicable fees.
- You have not been charged and/or convicted of a criminal offense in any Canadian or international jurisdiction.
Limitations of an Academic Visitor Licence
- An academic licence only permits the practice of dentistry in:
- A university dentistry faculty/school and/or its affiliated teaching facility which you have been appointed a teaching or research position.
- An academic licence automatically expires 12 months from the date it was issued, unless it has been extended by the College’s Registration Committee.
- An academic licence is automatically revoked if:
- Your academic appointed position expires, is terminated or withdrawn
- You cease to hold an appointed teaching or research position at an Ontario university faculty/school of dentistry.
- Dentists with an academic licence may not charge fees for any services within the scope of practice of dentistry.
Questions?
Read the Applicant FAQs.
registration@rcdso.org
416-961-6555
1-800-565-4591
All information is subject to change. Applications will be governed by the regulations, and College by-laws and policies in place at the time of submission. If there is any discrepancy information, the requirements stated in regulations shall prevail.
Source: The Regulated Health Professions Acts, 1991; Dentistry Act, 1991, Regulation 205/94: General
To apply to reinstate your licence with the RCDSO) use our online applicant portal. Log-in using the e-mail address you have on file with the RCDSO. Then, fill out your application, upload documents, pay the required fees and submit it to the College.
Your application form is only valid for three months once it is submitted.
Complete instructions, including lists of required supporting documentation, are provided as part of the online application process. Review the information on our website to understand the application process, our requirements and your responsibilities as an applicant.
Reinstatement of any type of license, no matter the time of year, is only valid until December 31 of the reinstatement year and must be renewed annually by December 15.
Required Fees
Applicant fees include a non-refundable application fee, a registration fee and the current annual licence fee. Payment must be received before the College can issue your licence.
Application Fee |
Reinstatement Fee |
Annual Licence Fee |
Total Fee |
$250 |
$100 |
$3,075 |
$3,425 |
*All fees must be made in Canadian dollars.
You can make your payment by credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Amex) or certified cheque made payable to The Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario. All certified cheques must be issued by a Canadian bank or be a Canadian Money Order. Submitting payment by a certified cheque or money order may result in delays to the processing of your application.
Reinstatement requirements
You may apply for reinstatement if you were a previous member of the RCDSO.
If you apply for reinstatement three or more years after resigning, you must complete the Jurisprudence and Ethics online course. Read more about the course here.
If you are applying to reinstate your General license and have not practiced general dentistry in Canada, the United States, or a recognized international jurisdiction, including Australia, Ireland, or New Zealand, on a continuous and regular basis for three or more years, your application may be referred to our Registration Committee.
If you are applying to reinstate your Specialty license have not practiced within your specialty field in Canada or the United States on a continuous and regular basis for three or more years, your application may be referred to our Registration Committee.
The Registration Committee may require you to take additional courses, or successfully complete an assessment to ensure you meet the current standards to practice dentistry in Ontario.
You are ineligible for reinstatement of your license if:
- you owed outstanding money to the College when you resigned.
- since resignation or suspension in Ontario, you have been the subject of any of the following in any jurisdiction:
b. in breach of an Order or failed to comply with an Order of a Committee;
c. the subject of a proceeding for professional misconduct, incompetence or incapacity; or
d. had terms, conditions or limitations placed on your certificate of registration
However, if you are ineligible for reinstatement you may still apply for a new certificate of registration with the College.
Contact the Registration Department if you would like to reinstate your license but are concerned that you may not be eligible.
Other requirements for reinstatement of your license include:
- You are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or have authorization under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to work in a health profession Canada.
- Your full name on your application must match the name on your dental program degree. If not, provide a copy of name change with application.
- You have not been charged and/or convicted of a criminal offense in any Canadian or international jurisdiction.
Questions?
Read the Applicant FAQs.
registration@rcdso.org
416-961-6555
1-800-565-4591
All information is subject to change. Applications will be governed by the regulations, and College by-laws and policies in place at the time of submission. If there is any discrepancy information, the requirements stated in regulations shall prevail.
Source: The Regulated Health Professions Acts, 1991; Dentistry Act, 1991, Regulation 205/94: General