Cheapest Dentist License Renewal by State (2026)

The cheapest state to get a dentist license is Idaho at $0. The most expensive is Vermont at $655. The national average is $336.

Lowest

Idaho

Average

$336

across 51 states

Median

$300

27 states at or below

Range

$655

spread across states

#	State	Renewal Fee	Initial Fees	Renewal Cycle
#1	Idaho	$0	$1,940	2 years
#2	Utah	$73	$1,790	2 years (biennial)
#3	Wisconsin	$123	$1,765	2 years (biennial); renewal date is 09/30 of each odd-numbered year
#4	Indiana	$140	$1,640	2 years (expires March 1 of even-numbered years)
#5	District of Columbia	$155	$1,890	2 years (licenses expire December 31 of each odd-numbered year per 17 DCMR §4201.1)
#6	Virginia	$167	$1,965	Annual (per 18VAC60-21 regulations)
#6	West Virginia	$167	$1,715	Annual
#8	New Hampshire	$170	$1,760	2 years (biennially, February–April of even-numbered years)
#9	Tennessee	$198	$1,840	2 years
#10	Mississippi	$200	$1,640	2 years
#10	Nebraska	$200	$1,790	2 years (licenses renewable March 1 of odd-numbered years)
#10	Oklahoma	$200 (if postmarked by December 31; late fee doubles to $400)	$1,715	Annual (expires December 31 each year)
#10	South Dakota	$200	$1,765	Annual
#10	Wyoming	$200	$1,665	2 years
#15	Colorado	$225	$1,951	2 years
#16	Alabama	$250	$1,790	Annual; licenses expire October 1 each year
#16	Missouri	$250	$1,715	2 years
#16	North Carolina	$250	$2,790	Annual (deadline January 31 each year; online system open November 1 – March 31)
#19	Georgia	$260	$1,865	2 years (biennial; licenses expire December 31 of odd-numbered years)
#20	South Carolina	$280	$1,815	2 years (biennial)
#21	Kentucky	$295	$1,790	2 years (biennial); all licenses expire December 31 of odd-numbered years
#22	Michigan	$296	$1,887	3 years
#23	Arkansas	$300	$1,690	2 years (biennial)
#23	Delaware	$300	$1,892	2 years
#23	Florida	$300	$1,690	2 years (biennial); current cycle expires February 28, 2026; next cycle expires February 28, 2028
#23	Illinois	$300	$1,890	3 years
#23	Rhode Island	$300	$1,765	Consistent with fee schedule structure (fees assessed on a license cycle basis; dental renewal cycle is biennial based on fee regulation context and 'Renewal notices are sent out 60 days before your expiration date' language)
#28	Hawaii	$301	$1,940	2 years (renew by December 31 of every odd-numbered year)
#29	Iowa	$315	$1,765	2 years (biennial)
#30	Kansas	$325	$1,715	2 years
#31	Montana	$336	$1,765	3 years
#32	Minnesota	$341	$1,840	2 years (biennial)
#33	Alaska	$350	$2,040	2 years (biennial)
#34	Massachusetts	$360	$1,890	2 years
#35	Pennsylvania	$366	$1,850	Biennial (2 years)
#36	New Jersey	$375	$1,840	2 years
#37	Washington	$435	$2,140	2 years
#38	Maryland	$450	$2,015	2 years
#38	Ohio	$450	$2,069	2 years
#40	Texas	$458.50/2yr	$1,765	2 years (biennial), with exception for faculty licenses
#41	North Dakota	$475	$1,765	2 years
#42	Oregon	$490	$2,085	2 years
#43	Maine	$550	$1,790	2 years
#44	Connecticut	$575	$2,130	2 years
#45	New Mexico	$580	$1,765	3 years
#46	Louisiana	$590	$2,090	2 years (biennial)
#47	Nevada	$600	$2,840	2 years (biannual)
#48	New York	$645/3yr	$2,117	3 years
#49	Arizona	$650	$1,790	3 years (triennial)
#49	California	$650/2yr	$2,240	2 years (biennial, expires last day of birth month every two years)
#51	Vermont	$655	$1,875	2 years

Renewal fees are per renewal cycle as reported by state licensing boards. Where fee ranges are listed, the lower bound is used for ranking. Click any state for full renewal details.

Key Takeaways

•27 states come in at or below the median of $300
•The range spans from $0 to $655 — a $655 spread
•States in the South tend to have lower values (avg $284), while Northeast states average $444

Frequently Asked Questions

Which state has the cheapest dentist license renewal?

Idaho has the lowest renewal fee at $0. The national average renewal fee is $336.

How much do dentist licensing costs vary between states?

There is significant variation across the 51 states with data. Values range from $0 to $655, with a median of $300.

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