Verify a Michigan Dentist or Dental Professional Through the Correct State Record
Michigan dental license verification starts with the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs and its MiPLUS professional licensing system. Use the state record to confirm the exact dental credential, status, issue and expiration information, and any public disciplinary action.
This guide also separates dentist, dental hygienist, registered dental assistant, dental therapist and dental specialty records so patients, employers and licensees do not use the wrong credential or renewal route.
Michigan Dental License Verification: Quick Answer
Use Michigan LARA’s MiPLUS public license search to verify a dentist or other regulated dental professional. Search by license number when possible, open the matching record, and confirm the credential type, issue date, expiration date, status and disciplinary information.
For another state board, employer or credentialing office that requires formal proof, Michigan also offers certified license verification through MiPLUS for $15 per license verified. Do not pay for certified proof until the receiving organization confirms that the free public lookup is not enough.
Use the free LARA search
This is the normal route for patients, employers and licensees checking whether a Michigan dental credential appears current.
Use certified proof only when required
Michigan BPL provides paid certified verification that can be sent to you or another entity by email or postal mail.
Dentist is not the only dental credential
Dental hygienist, registered dental assistant, dental therapist, specialty and limited academic credentials should be checked as their own records.
The Michigan license-search disclaimer says licensing and registration information is updated once a day. For hiring, credentialing or treatment decisions, save the date you checked and recheck when timing matters.
Choose the Correct Michigan Dental License Route
The fastest route depends on whether you are checking a public record, renewing your own credential, ordering formal verification or researching a disciplinary issue.
I need to verify a Michigan dentist
Use the MiPLUS public Licensee Search. Search by license number when available, then verify the person’s name, dentist credential, status, issue date, expiration date and disciplinary information.
I need to verify a dental hygienist, assistant or therapist
Use the same official Michigan professional-license system but select or match the exact dental profession. Do not treat a dentist record as proof of a hygienist, registered dental assistant or dental therapist credential.
I need to renew my Michigan dental license
Use your MiPLUS account rather than the public search page. Michigan’s current dentist guide lists a 3-year renewal cycle and a $296.40 dentist renewal application fee.
Another board wants official verification
Use Michigan’s Certified License Verification process. The Bureau of Professional Licensing charges $15 per license verified and can send the document by email or postal mail.
I need to review discipline or file a complaint
Start with the public license record and review the disciplinary section. If you need to report a concern, use the Bureau of Professional Licensing complaint route linked from MiPLUS and LARA.
How to Verify a Michigan Dentist License Step by Step
Use these steps for patient checks, hiring, insurance credentialing, dental-office compliance, hospital privileges, employment verification or your own renewal-status check.
Open the official Michigan license search
Start with LARA or MiPLUS rather than a dental directory, clinic biography, search ad or copied credential page.
Choose the correct dental credential
Make sure the result matches Dentist, Dental Hygienist, Dental Assistant, Dental Therapist, Dentist Specialty or another relevant Michigan dental license type.
Use the license number first
The Michigan search provides a license-number field. A number search is usually safer than relying on a common first and last name.
Use name and location clues when needed
If you do not have the number, search by first and last name and compare the profession and other identifying information in the result. MiPLUS also provides organization, trade-name and county fields for records where those fields apply.
Open the complete license record
Confirm the exact professional, license type, issue date, expiration date and current status. Do not treat a name appearing in search results as enough proof.
Review disciplinary action
Michigan says the free online search can be used to check disciplinary action. Read the available record before making a patient-safety, hiring or credentialing decision.
Check related credentials when relevant
A dentist may also hold a specialty credential or controlled-substance license. Verify the additional record when the role, procedure or credentialing requirement depends on it.
Save a dated verification note
Employers and credentialing teams should record the source, date checked, license number, profession, status, expiration date and discipline review.
What to Check in a Michigan Dental License Result
A useful verification checks both identity and current credential information. One matching name or an old license number is not enough.
| Field | Why it matters | Verification action |
|---|---|---|
| Professional name | Prevents a similar-name match. | Compare the full name and any identifying details against the provider you are checking. |
| License type | Dentist, hygienist, assistant, therapist and specialty credentials are different. | Make sure the credential matches the work the person claims to perform. |
| License number | Usually provides the strongest identity match. | Match the exact number supplied by the licensee, employer or credentialing file. |
| Issue date | Helps confirm that you have the intended record. | Use it as supporting identity context rather than as proof of current status by itself. |
| Expiration date | Shows when the current licensing period ends. | Recheck after renewal if the date is approaching. |
| Status | A record can exist without representing current unrestricted practice. | Read the exact Michigan status and any related disciplinary information. |
| Disciplinary action | Public action may affect hiring, credentialing or patient decisions. | Review the official details rather than relying on a short summary or third-party report. |
A printed license, staff profile or saved screenshot can become outdated. Use the live LARA record when current status matters.
Which Michigan Dental Credential Are You Verifying?
Michigan’s Dentistry resources cover several professions and license types. Choosing the correct record prevents false “no result” conclusions and scope-of-practice confusion.
General dentist license
Use this record when verifying a Michigan dentist authorized to engage in the practice of dentistry.
Specialty credential
Michigan provides separate dentist specialty licensing resources. The specialty credential runs with the underlying dentist license, so verify the dentist record as well.
Registered Dental Hygienist
Search the hygienist’s own Michigan credential. Do not use the supervising or employing dentist’s license as proof of the hygienist’s status.
Registered Dental Assistant
A registered dental assistant has a separate Michigan licensing route and renewal requirements. Verify that credential directly.
Dental Therapist
Michigan lists dental therapy as its own regulated dental profession with separate licensing resources and renewal fees.
Academic or educational licenses
Clinical academic, non-clinical academic and educational limited dental licenses can carry restrictions different from a standard dentist license. Match the exact record type.
Michigan Dentist License Renewal Steps
Michigan’s current dentist licensing guide lists a 3-year renewal cycle. Renewal is completed online through MiPLUS, and the standard dentist renewal fee is currently $296.40.
Check your current license record
Before renewing, verify your current license type, expiration date and any related controlled-substance or specialty credential that may need attention.
Watch for the renewal window
The Michigan dentist guide says licensees can generally begin renewing approximately 90 days before the expiration date. Keep your mailing and email information current so the renewal notice reaches you.
Log into MiPLUS
Use your existing MiPLUS account for renewal. Do not create a duplicate professional record simply because the public lookup and account dashboard look different.
Confirm renewal requirements before attesting
Review continuing education, human-trafficking training, implicit-bias requirements and any controlled-substance requirements that apply to your license.
Pay the correct license fee
The current Michigan renewal-fee schedule lists $296.40 for a dentist, $248.10 for a dentist controlled-substance renewal, and $62.40 for a dentist specialty renewal.
Save the confirmation
Keep the transaction receipt and any CE documentation. A submitted renewal is not the same thing as a public record showing the updated license period.
Recheck the public license search
After processing, verify that the expiration date and status are updated in Michigan’s public license record before relying on the renewal for employment or credentialing.
Michigan’s health-profession renewal-fee guidance says a license not renewed by its expiration date may generally be renewed within 60 days by completing the renewal requirements and paying applicable renewal and late-renewal fees. Confirm your exact situation in MiPLUS before relying on the grace-period rule.
Michigan Dentist Continuing Education Before Renewal
A dentist who has been licensed through the applicable 3-year cycle should review the current Dentistry rules and licensing guide before submitting the renewal attestation.
| Requirement | Current dentist renewal guidance | Practical action |
|---|---|---|
| Total CE | 60 hours during the applicable 3-year renewal period. | Keep certificates and a complete CE record in case of audit. |
| Clinical education | At least 20 hours must be in programs directly related to clinical issues, including care delivery, materials and pharmacology. | Do not assume every general professional course satisfies the clinical requirement. |
| Pain and symptom management | 3 hours. | Confirm the course is accepted under Michigan Dentistry rules. |
| Dental ethics and jurisprudence | 1 hour, including delegation of duties to allied dental personnel. | Make sure the course content covers the required Michigan topic. |
| Infection control | 1 hour including handpiece sterilization, PPE and CDC infection-control guidance. | Retain the course certificate and description. |
| Live / synchronous education | At least 20 CE hours must be from synchronous live courses or programs. | Track delivery format as well as total CE hours. |
| Asynchronous limit | No more than 30 of the required 60 hours may be asynchronous and noninteractive. | Do not complete the entire CE requirement with self-paced courses. |
| Implicit bias | Generally 1 hour for each year of the license cycle. | For a full 3-year cycle, verify that the required annual-equivalent training has been completed. |
| Human trafficking | Michigan requires qualifying human-trafficking training before renewal; the dentist guide describes it as a one-time requirement. | Keep proof even when it does not need to be resubmitted every cycle. |
Michigan’s current dentist guide says applicants do not routinely submit CE proof with the renewal application, but they should retain documentation for 5 years because selected licensees can be required to provide it during an audit.
Michigan Dental Hygienist, Assistant and Therapist Renewal Fees
Do not apply the dentist fee to every dental professional. Michigan’s official renewal-fee schedule separates the credential types.
| Credential | Renewal cycle | Current listed renewal fee |
|---|---|---|
| Dentist | 3 years | $296.40 |
| Dentist Specialty | 3 years | $62.40 |
| Dental Hygienist | 3 years | $78.00 |
| Dental Assistant | 3 years | $46.80 |
| Dental Therapist | 3 years | $122.40 |
Use the official Michigan renewal-fee page or your MiPLUS renewal transaction to confirm the amount due before paying. Do not rely on an old PDF, saved screenshot or third-party renewal site.
Free Michigan Dental Lookup vs Certified License Verification
Most patients and employers only need the free public lookup. Certified verification is a separate service for formal proof.
Use for everyday status checks
- Patient checking a dentist before treatment
- Dental office reviewing staff status
- Employer verifying an expiration date
- Licensee checking whether renewal posted
- Credentialing file that accepts public-source verification
Use when formal proof is required
- Another state licensing board requests verification
- Credentialing organization rejects a public printout
- Employer specifically requests certification from Michigan
- Application instructions require direct official verification
Confirm that certified proof is required
Ask the recipient whether Michigan’s free online verification is acceptable before ordering a paid document.
Log into MiPLUS
Register an account if necessary, then use the license-application area to start a License Verification request.
Enter the license and recipient details
Michigan instructs users to provide the licensee number and the email or postal address where the certified verification should be sent.
Review the $15 verification charge
The Bureau of Professional Licensing currently lists certified license verification at $15 per license verified.
Patient, Employer and Credentialing Verification Checklist
A dental-license check should answer more than “did a name appear?” Save enough information to show that you verified the correct person and the correct credential.
Verification record
- Full professional name
- Michigan license number
- Exact dental credential type
- License status
- Issue date when shown
- Expiration date
- Disciplinary-action review
- Specialty or additional license when relevant
- Date the public record was checked
- Reviewer name or initials for employer files
Weak verification proof
- Dental-office website biography
- Insurance directory listing
- Google Business Profile
- Social media profile
- Old wall license or photocopy
- DDS or DMD letters after a name
- Application or renewal receipt
- Similar-name search result
- National association membership
No Michigan Dental License Result Found? Try These Fixes
A blank result is a reason to troubleshoot, not immediate proof that the person has never held a Michigan credential.
Try the exact legal name
Check spelling, middle initial, suffix, hyphenation and any former name before giving up on the search.
Dentist vs RDH vs RDA
A hygienist, assistant, therapist or limited license may not appear under the credential category you first expected.
Recheck the license number
Compare every digit with the licensee’s documentation and retry without guessing a missing number or using another state’s credential.
Check again after processing
MiPLUS handles applications and renewal activity while the public search is updated on its own schedule. A recent transaction may not instantly change every public field.
Application is not an issued license
Submitting an application, passing an examination or paying a fee does not by itself prove that Michigan has issued the professional license.
Contact BPL
Use the Bureau of Professional Licensing help channel when you have the name, license number and credential type but still cannot resolve the official record.
“I am trying to verify a Michigan dental professional. I have the legal name, claimed license number and dental credential type, but I cannot confirm the record in MiPLUS. Which official search or licensing route should I use?”
Michigan Dentistry Licensing Contact Information
Use public lookup first. Contact the Bureau of Professional Licensing when the search, renewal, application or formal-verification process cannot answer the question.
| Contact | Verified detail | Best use |
|---|---|---|
| BPL phone | 517-241-0199 | General professional licensing questions. Michigan lists Dentistry under the Press 2 health-profession routing. |
| Licensing email | BPLHelp@michigan.gov | Application status, licensing requirements and general BPL questions. |
| Document email | BPLData@michigan.gov | Use when BPL instructions specifically permit or request documents by email. |
| Mailing address | Bureau of Professional Licensing, PO Box 30670, Lansing, MI 48909 | Use when an official licensing instruction requires postal submission. |
| Certified verification | Online through MiPLUS | Formal license verification requested by another board or entity. |
Michigan LARA warns about fraudulent messages impersonating department staff and requesting payment or personal information. Use Michigan.gov and MiPLUS routes rather than links in unexpected messages.
Official Michigan Dental License Verification Resources
Use these official sources for final status, renewal, fees, certified verification and Board-specific dentistry information.
Public verification and licensing system.
Use for Verify a License, professional applications, renewal, modifications and other Bureau of Professional Licensing online services.
Direct public lookup.
Use to search license type, number, former number, name, organization, trade name or county where applicable.
Board and profession resources.
Use for dentist, hygienist, assistant, dental therapist, specialty, CE, Board meeting and Dentistry rule resources.
Current Michigan fee table.
Use to confirm dentist, specialty, hygienist, assistant, dental therapist and controlled professional renewal charges before payment.
Formal verification service.
Use when another licensing board, employer or credentialing entity requires official certified proof instead of the free public lookup.
License support.
Use when the public record, application, renewal or document process cannot be resolved through MiPLUS self-service resources.
Michigan Dental License Verification FAQs
How do I verify a Michigan dentist license online?
Use Michigan LARA’s MiPLUS public license search. Search by license number when possible, open the matching record, and check the person’s name, dental credential, status, issue date, expiration date and disciplinary information.
Is Michigan dental license verification free?
Yes. Michigan provides a free online professional-license search. Paid certified verification is a separate service used when another board or organization requires formal proof.
How much does certified Michigan license verification cost?
The Michigan Bureau of Professional Licensing currently lists certified license verification at $15 per license verified.
How often is the Michigan dentist license renewed?
The current Michigan dentist licensing guide lists a 3-year renewal cycle.
What is the current Michigan dentist renewal fee?
The current Michigan renewal-fee schedule lists the dentist renewal fee as $296.40. Confirm the amount in MiPLUS before paying because fees can change.
How many continuing education hours does a Michigan dentist need?
The current dentist guide lists 60 hours of Board-approved continuing education for the applicable 3-year renewal period, including required clinical, pain-management, ethics and infection-control content.
When can a Michigan dentist begin renewing?
Michigan’s current dentist licensing guide says licensees can begin renewal approximately 90 days before the expiration date of the current license.
Can I verify a Michigan dental hygienist in the same system?
Yes. Michigan dental hygienists are regulated through LARA and can be checked through the professional license search. Make sure the result is the Dental Hygienist credential rather than a dentist or dental assistant record.
Is a Michigan registered dental assistant license separate from a dentist license?
Yes. Registered dental assistants have their own Michigan licensing and renewal requirements. Verify the assistant’s credential directly rather than relying on the employing dentist’s license.
Does a dentist specialty record replace the Michigan dentist license?
No. Michigan specialty certification is connected to the dentist’s underlying license. When a specialty matters, verify both the dentist license and the specialty credential.
Why can’t I find a Michigan dentist in MiPLUS?
Check the license number, exact legal name, former name and correct credential type. A recent application or renewal may also require additional processing. Contact the Bureau of Professional Licensing if the official search still cannot resolve the record.
Can I use a clinic website as proof that a dentist is licensed?
No. A clinic page, insurance directory, advertisement or old wall certificate is not a substitute for Michigan’s current official licensing record.
Is VerificationLicense.org the Michigan Board of Dentistry?
No. VerificationLicense.org is an independent informational guide. It does not issue, renew, discipline, certify or replace Michigan LARA, the Board of Dentistry or MiPLUS records.
Bottom Line for Michigan Dental License Verification
Start with Michigan LARA’s official MiPLUS license search, match the exact dental credential and license number, then confirm the status, expiration date and disciplinary information before relying on the record.
Licensees should use MiPLUS for renewal and account changes, while certified verification should be ordered only when a receiving board or credentialing organization requires formal proof. For final decisions, rely on the current Michigan government record rather than private directories or old copies of a license.