Before your next dental appointment in Colorado, it's worth taking a few minutes to confirm your dentist is properly licensed and in good standing. Colorado publishes this information online for free through its central professional licensing search. Here's exactly how to use it.
Why Checking a Dentist's License Matters
A quick license check before your visit can help you:
Confirm the dentist is currently authorized to practice in Colorado
Spot an expired or lapsed license before booking
Review any disciplinary history connected to the provider
Avoid unlicensed or fraudulent practitioners
Feel more confident in a dentist you found through an ad, referral, or online directory
Colorado's Official Dental Licensing Authority
Dentists, dental therapists, and dental hygienists in Colorado are licensed by the Colorado Dental Board, which operates within the Division of Professions and Occupations (DPO), part of the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA). The Board traces its roots to 1889 as the State Board of Dental Examiners and took its current name in 2013.
Colorado Dental Board page: dpo.colorado.gov/Dental
Online License Verification (lookup tool): apps2.colorado.gov/dora/licensing/lookup/licenselookup.aspx
Phone: (303) 894-7800
Email: [email protected]
Address: 1560 Broadway, Suite 1350, Denver, CO 80202
This one search tool covers every profession the Division regulates — more than 450,000 licensees statewide — so you'll be searching the same database used for nurses, contractors, real estate agents, and dental professionals alike.
Step-by-Step: How to Look Up a Dentist's License in Colorado
Go to the Online License Verification page at apps2.colorado.gov/dora/licensing/lookup/licenselookup.aspx.
Enter search details. For best results, start with just the licensee's first and last name. You can also search by license number if you have it.
Keep it simple at first. The state notes that results depend on how much information you enter — starting broad with just a name, then narrowing if needed, tends to work best.
Review the results. Matching records will show license type, status, and other identifying details.
Check for a Healthcare Professions Profile, if available. Colorado maintains Healthcare Professions Profiles for many licensed healthcare professions, which can include education, board actions, and other background details, accessible from the same search page.
Note: this tool is intended for individual searches, not bulk data pulls. If you need a full list of licensees, Colorado directs that request to its separate Colorado Information Marketplace (CIM) system.
What Do the Different License Statuses Mean?
When you find a matching record, you'll typically see a status such as:
Active: The dentist holds a current, valid license and is authorized to practice in Colorado.
Expired: The license was not renewed by its expiration date, and the dentist is not currently authorized to practice until it's renewed.
Suspended: The Board has temporarily removed the dentist's right to practice, generally as part of a disciplinary proceeding.
Revoked: The Board has permanently terminated the license following a serious violation of the Dental Practice Act or Board rules.
Probation: The dentist may continue practicing, but under specific conditions set by the Board.
Inactive: The dentist holds a license on record but is not currently practicing under it.
Colorado dentists, dental therapists, and dental hygienists with active licenses must also complete at least 30 hours of continuing education every two-year license period (with reduced requirements for newly licensed practitioners), so a license that appears to have lapsed shortly after issuance may simply reflect a normal first renewal cycle rather than a red flag.
How to Interpret Disciplinary Actions or Public Complaints
The Colorado Dental Board holds regular rulemaking and disciplinary hearings and has the authority to take action against licensees who violate the Dental Practice Act or Board rules. If you want to look into a dentist's disciplinary history:
Check whether the license lookup tool shows any noted board actions or a linked Healthcare Professions Profile
Contact the Division of Professions and Occupations directly at (303) 894-7800 or [email protected] for more detail
Ask the Board how to file a complaint if you've had a concerning experience with a licensee — the Board's website outlines the complaint process
Because license and disciplinary records are updated nightly rather than in real time, a very recent action might not yet be reflected in search results.
What to Do If a Dentist's Status Looks Inactive, Suspended, or Concerning
Double-check your search to confirm you have the right person, especially with common names.
Call the Division at (303) 894-7800 if the status is unclear or you want more context.
Look for a Healthcare Professions Profile for additional background.
Ask the dental office directly — a reputable practice should be able to answer licensing questions without hesitation.
Choose a different provider if the license is confirmed expired, suspended, or revoked, since your care shouldn't depend on someone not currently authorized to practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Colorado's license lookup tool free?
Yes, the Online License Verification tool is a free public service provided by DORA.
Do I need a license number to search?
No. Starting with just a first and last name is recommended for the best results.
Does the search tool cover dental hygienists and dental therapists too?
Yes, the Colorado Dental Board regulates and licenses dentists, dental therapists, and dental hygienists, and all three appear in the same statewide lookup tool.
How often are license records updated?
The state notes that its license verification database is updated nightly.
Can out-of-state dentists provide care in Colorado without a Colorado license?
Under limited circumstances, dentists or dental hygienists licensed in good standing in another state may volunteer or participate in an educational/research program in Colorado for up to five consecutive days in a twelve-month period, provided the required notification form is submitted to the Board in advance.
Closing Summary
Verifying a dentist's license in Colorado takes just a few minutes through DORA's Online License Verification tool. Confirm the license is active, check for any noted disciplinary history, and call the Division of Professions and Occupations at (303) 894-7800 if anything looks unclear. A quick check now can give you real confidence before your next dental visit.