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There are no annual membership dues for residents, so if you're NOT A MEMBER YET, now's the time! Even though your membership is free, you have the same access to all the resources, events and programs as the most-seasoned dentists.
Between the state, local, and national organizations, the amount of tools, resources, and information at your fingertips can be overwhelming.
With that in mind, here are some links that will help you get to know organized dentistry and the types of ways it can help you advance your career.

July-August 2026 | Residency Roundtables

NJDA staff has reached out to schedule these in-person meetings with NJDA leaders.
Directors: Look for an email or phone call from our Membership Department! If you'd like to reach out directly, please contact our membership department at membership@njda.org.

Cooper University Camden | July 27 | 12:30pm

Morristown | August 3 | 12:00pm

JFK/Edison | August 10 | 12:30pm

Newark Beth Israel | August 11 | 1:00pm

Workforce Lead Directory – Let NJ Practices Find You

You've worked hard to get here—now let New Jersey dentists know you're ready to launch your career!

The NJDA Workforce Lead Directory, supported by the Delta Dental Foundation, helps connect residents and associate dentists with NJDA member-dentists looking to hire. Whether you're exploring opportunities, preparing to complete your residency, or searching for your first associate position, the Directory can help put your name in front of practices across New Jersey.

Practices use the Directory to find candidates for full-time, part-time, temporary, and associate positions—making it a valuable tool for increasing your professional visibility and expanding your network.

Your next opportunity could be just one listing away! Create your free profile today and take the next step toward launching your dental career.

Workforce Lead Directory Form

August 13, 2026 | Cocktail & Career Conversations

NJDA Headquarters - North Brunswick
1 Dental Plaza, North Brunswick, NJ 08902
6:00 PM - 8:30 PM

You earned your degree, got your dental license, and you're even practicing dentistry. Now what? Cocktails & Career Conversations is a fun, interactive, and informative event that is all about your future and getting you on the road to long-term success!

Register Now

You’ll be asked for $25 to hold your spot and, as always, NJDA members, Dental Residents, and Dental Students will be refunded the next day following participation.

Not a Member? It's Free for Residents! 

Become a Member

November 4, 2026 | Practice Modalities Program (Pilot)

St. Joseph's University Medical Center
703 Main St, Paterson, NJ 07503
5:30 PM - 8:00 PM

NJDA will host a 2-hour educational pilot focused on exposing residents, dentists and students to various career and practice modalities. The modalities pilot will be presented by a CPA firm covering career outlooks from a financial position. This programs welcomes, residents, NJDA members and dental students.

2 CEU's and Dinner included 

REGISTER HERE

You’ll be asked for $25 to hold your spot and, as always, NJDA members, Dental Residents, and Dental Students will be refunded the next day following participation.

Not a Member? It's Free for Residents! 

Become a Member

 

May 20, 2027 | Residency Directors Dinner Meeting

Bridgwater Marriott
700 Commons Way, Bridgewater, NJ 08807
4:00 PM - 5:30 PM

NJDA will host a Residency Directors Meeting to strengthen relationships with residency leadership, discuss collaborative opportunities, share updates on resident engagement opportunities, discuss legislative action and areas of support.

Save the date and check back for registration!

May 20, 2027 | The New Jersey Residency Fair

Bridgwater Marriott
700 Commons Way, Bridgewater, NJ 08807
6:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Tri-state area Residency programs will be invited to participate in the New Jersey Dental Residency Fair. This interactive event is the perfect opportunity for Directors to showcase their programs and residents to connect with dental students. 

Save the date and check back for registration!

2027 | Practice Modalities Residency Program

The NJDA will launch a full series of programs at hospitals around the region. 

More info to come!

NJDA Resources for Residents

 

NETWORKING

first impressions powered by bank of america

This series is designed for early-career dentists who want to grow both professionally and personally. It brings together fun, connection, and practical learning through a lineup of engaging experiences. Register now!

REGISTER FOR UPCOMING EVENTS

EARLY CAREER ROADMAP

     

This New Dentist Member Benefit is an essential guide packed with tips, resources, and steps to help you thrive from dental school through your early years in practice. Whether you’re a student or a new dentist, this guide is your roadmap to a successful and rewarding career in dentistry. *You must be a member to access this resource.*

Access the Roadmap

LICENSURE REQUIREMENT SERIES

         LRS

 

Meet your mandated requirements with Licensure Requirement Series. Discounted rate for NJDA Members (Membership is FREE for Residents!)

Learn More & Register for LRS

Not a member? Join now!

Resident Requirements

13:30-1.3 Resident Permit

(a) Prior to obtaining licensure, a graduate of a dental school approved by the Commission on Dental Accreditation who has passed Part I and Part II of the National Board Dental examination may serve as a resident in a public or private licensed hospital or other public or private institution approved by the Commission on Dental Accreditation upon obtaining a resident permit from the Board. A resident permit shall be renewed annually for the length of the residency program, to a maximum of three years pursuant to N.J.S.A. 45:6-20.

(b) An applicant for a resident permit shall submit to the Board a completed application which shall contain the following:

1. A certified transcript from the secretary or dean of a dental school, college or department of a university approved by the Commission on Dental Accreditation verifying that the applicant has obtained a dental degree from such institution;

2. A certification by the board of dentistry in any state or jurisdiction in which the applicant holds a dental license verifying that the applicant's license in that state or jurisdiction is in good standing;

3. Results from a criminal history background check conducted by the State of New Jersey pursuant to N.J.S.A. 45:1-28 et seq.; and

4. The application fee as set forth in N.J.A.C. 13:30-8.1.

(c) A student who is enrolled in a post-graduate program for the awarding of a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Standing (CAGS) or its equivalent, at a Commission on Dental Accreditation-approved dental school, shall not be required to obtain a resident permit. This individual shall be identified as a student.

13:30-5.1 Continuing Dental Education Requirements for Dentists (And Residents)

(a) Continuing education shall be a mandatory requirement for license renewal, except that the Board shall not require completion of continuing dental education credits for initial registration of dentists. All licensed dentists holding active licenses shall submit a certification verifying completion of 40 hours of continuing dental education every two years at the time of registration renewal, including the 10 mandatory hours of continuing dental education specified at (e) below, except for the following:

1.Except as set forth in (a)2 below, a licensee who was initially licensed during the first year of the preceding biennial period shall submit a certification verifying the completion of 40 credits of continuing dental education. A licensee who was initially licensed during the second year of the preceding biennial period shall submit a certification verifying the completion of 20 credits of continuing dental education; and

2. An individual who graduates from a dental school and is licensed in the first year of the biennial period shall complete 20 credits of continuing education. An individual who graduates from a dental school and is licensed in the second year of the biennial period shall be exempt from continuing education requirements for that biennial period.

(i) A licensee may obtain continuing education credits from any of the areas of study listed below. A licensee shall not receive credit for more than the maximum number of hours permitted in each area of study for each biennial period, as set forth at (i)1 through 4 below.

1. Educational and scientific courses related to the practice of dentistry.

i. A licensee may obtain 40 hours of continuing education in this category.

ii. The following shall satisfy the requirement of 40 hours of continuing education, including the 10 mandatory hours required at (e) above, for a biennial registration period:

(1) Completion of an accredited one-year dental residency program; or

(2) Attendance at, or completion of, an approved advanced education program leading to certification in endodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, oral and maxillofacial pathology, orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, periodontics, prosthodontics, public health, or oral and maxillofacial radiology.

iii. A maximum of five hours of continuing education credit shall be given to a student or an instructor for basic Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation courses and a maximum of 15 hours of continuing education credit shall be given to a student or an instructor for Advanced Cardiac Life Support courses.

iv. A maximum of 20 hours of continuing education credit shall be given for any form of written or electronic media distance learning courses. A written or electronic media distance learning course shall include a written post-test, and such test shall be retained by the licensee as an additional record of completion of the course. Webinars shall not be considered electronic media distance learning courses if they are live (not previously recorded) and synchronous (the instructor and licensee interact with each other in real time).

v. A maximum of seven hours of continuing education credit shall be given for practice management/managed care courses

New Jersey State Board of Dentistry - Licensing Frequently Asked Questions:

2. I am a new dental school graduate. How should I begin the application process in New Jersey? (THIS PROCESS APPLIES FOR DENTAL RESIDENTS BECOMING LICENSED IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY)

Begin by downloading and thoroughly reviewing the license application and instructions. Applicants should begin the application process when they are nearing graduation. National Board scores should be reported to the Board. Effective September 2005, New Jersey recognizes the clinical examination of the American Board of Dental Examiners (ADEX) if it has been administered by the North East Regional Board of Dental Examiners (NERB) or any other state or regional board. You must have graduated from a dental program recognized by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) of the American Dental Association. Upon graduation, sealed transcripts evidencing completion of your dental training must be forwarded to the Board. In addition, all health care applicants are required, by law, to submit to fingerprinting and a Criminal History Background Check (CHBC). The CHBC can take some time, so applicants are encouraged to begin this process early. An application fee of $125 must accompany your application. The registration period for dentists runs from November 1 to October 31 of odd numbered years. Once approved, you will be required to pay your initial registration fee, which is good for the remainder of the current registration period. If you are licensed in the second half of a biennial registration period, your fee is one half of the current biennial registration fee.

3. I am entering a residency training program. Do I need a license?

New Jersey issues permits to individuals entering residency training programs. The minimum standard for the issuance of a permit is graduation from a CODA approved program, successful completion of National Boards Parts 1 and 2, and completion of the Criminal History Background Check. The CHBC can take some time, so applicants are encouraged to begin this process early. If you have successfully completed the ADEX or NERB clinical examination, and otherwise qualify for a full license, you are encouraged to obtain a license, especially if you intend to ultimately practice in the State of New Jersey. The residency training permit limits practice to the health care institution where the program is conducted. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as a residency position is offered to avoid any delays.

To access the New Jersey Administrative Code from the New Jersey Board of Dentistry: 


2) Click the link in the Public Access to Online Code section. 

3) Scroll to TITLE 13. LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY and click the +

4) Scroll to CHAPTER 30. NEW JERSEY BOARD OF DENTISTRY and click the +

5) Click the + on the subchapter you are interested in, then the click on the content you would like to read

Also Refer:
New Jersey State Board of Dentistry - Licensing Frequently Asked Questions

Suggestions Welcome!

These initiatives are designed to prepare dental residents for their post-residency careers.  In order for them to be as beneficial as possible - we need feedback from residents, directors, and staff.  If you have an idea for an event, a course, or a resource that NJDA should consider offering to residents, or any other notes on how NJDA can serve new dentists, let us know right here!  

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