Minnesota Dental Jurisprudence Exam Practice
Test 2026
Section 1: Licensure, Renewal, and Board Authority (Questions 1-30)
1. What is the composition of the Minnesota Board of Dentistry?
A. Five dentists, one dental hygienist, one dental assistant, and two public members
B. Four dentists, two dental hygienists, one dental assistant, and two public members
C. Five dentists, two dental hygienists, one dental assistant, and one public member
D. Six dentists, one dental hygienist, one dental assistant, and one public member
Answer: A
Rationale: The board consists of nine members appointed by the governor: five qualified resident
dentists, one licensed dental assistant, one licensed dental hygienist, and two public members as
defined by section 214.02.
2. How long must a dentist board member have been in active practice in Minnesota immediately
preceding appointment?
A. 2 years
B. 3 years
C. 5 years
D. 7 years
,Answer: C
Rationale: Each board member who is a dentist must have been lawfully in active practice in Minnesota
for at least five years immediately preceding appointment.
3. What is the minimum age to apply for a Minnesota dental license?
A. 18 years old
B. 21 years old
C. 25 years old
D. No age requirement
Answer: B
Rationale: The minimum age to apply for a Minnesota dental license is 21 years old.
4. Which examination must an applicant pass within the past five years to obtain a Minnesota dental
license?
A. The jurisprudence examination only
B. The clinical examination only
C. The national board examination and a board-approved clinical examination
D. The jurisprudence examination and a board-approved clinical examination
Answer: D
Rationale: Applicants must provide evidence of passing the board's jurisprudence examination within
the past five years and a board-approved clinical examination within the past five years.
5. If an applicant fails two consecutive clinical examinations, what is required before licensure is issued?
A. The applicant must wait one year before retaking the exam
B. The applicant must complete additional education at a CODA-accredited institution
,C. The applicant must appeal to the board for a waiver
D. The applicant is permanently barred from licensure
Answer: B
Rationale: The applicant must not retake the clinical examination until they successfully complete
additional education provided by an institution accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation.
6. What happens if an applicant fails a clinical examination for a third time?
A. The applicant may retake it after a 2-year waiting period
B. The applicant is prohibited from retaking the clinical exam, and a license will not be issued
C. The applicant may appeal to the governor's office
D. The applicant can substitute a different clinical exam
Answer: B
Rationale: If an applicant fails a clinical exam for a third time, they are prohibited from retaking the
clinical exam again, and a license will not be issued.
7. What does an Emeritus Inactive license allow a dental professional to do?
A. Practice dentistry on a limited basis
B. Practice pro bono or volunteer dentistry
C. Nothing—it is not a license to practice
D. Practice only in rural areas
Answer: C
Rationale: An emeritus inactive license is not a license to practice dentistry, dental therapy, dental
hygiene, or dental assisting. It formally recognizes the completion of a licensee's dental career in good
standing.
, 8. What does an Emeritus Active license allow a dental professional to do?
A. Practice full-time dentistry
B. Practice pro bono or volunteer dental practice
C. Practice only in a hospital setting
D. Teach at a dental school
Answer: B
Rationale: An emeritus active license allows the dental professional to engage in pro bono or volunteer
dental practice.
9. How often must a general dentist renew their license?
A. Annually
B. Every two years
C. Every three years
D. Every five years
Answer: B
Rationale: A general dentist may renew a license according to the terms of renewal under part
3100.1700, which operates on a biennial cycle.
10. What is the minimum number of professional development hours required for dentists each biennial
cycle?
A. 25 hours
B. 30 hours
C. 40 hours
D. 50 hours
Test 2026
Section 1: Licensure, Renewal, and Board Authority (Questions 1-30)
1. What is the composition of the Minnesota Board of Dentistry?
A. Five dentists, one dental hygienist, one dental assistant, and two public members
B. Four dentists, two dental hygienists, one dental assistant, and two public members
C. Five dentists, two dental hygienists, one dental assistant, and one public member
D. Six dentists, one dental hygienist, one dental assistant, and one public member
Answer: A
Rationale: The board consists of nine members appointed by the governor: five qualified resident
dentists, one licensed dental assistant, one licensed dental hygienist, and two public members as
defined by section 214.02.
2. How long must a dentist board member have been in active practice in Minnesota immediately
preceding appointment?
A. 2 years
B. 3 years
C. 5 years
D. 7 years
,Answer: C
Rationale: Each board member who is a dentist must have been lawfully in active practice in Minnesota
for at least five years immediately preceding appointment.
3. What is the minimum age to apply for a Minnesota dental license?
A. 18 years old
B. 21 years old
C. 25 years old
D. No age requirement
Answer: B
Rationale: The minimum age to apply for a Minnesota dental license is 21 years old.
4. Which examination must an applicant pass within the past five years to obtain a Minnesota dental
license?
A. The jurisprudence examination only
B. The clinical examination only
C. The national board examination and a board-approved clinical examination
D. The jurisprudence examination and a board-approved clinical examination
Answer: D
Rationale: Applicants must provide evidence of passing the board's jurisprudence examination within
the past five years and a board-approved clinical examination within the past five years.
5. If an applicant fails two consecutive clinical examinations, what is required before licensure is issued?
A. The applicant must wait one year before retaking the exam
B. The applicant must complete additional education at a CODA-accredited institution
,C. The applicant must appeal to the board for a waiver
D. The applicant is permanently barred from licensure
Answer: B
Rationale: The applicant must not retake the clinical examination until they successfully complete
additional education provided by an institution accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation.
6. What happens if an applicant fails a clinical examination for a third time?
A. The applicant may retake it after a 2-year waiting period
B. The applicant is prohibited from retaking the clinical exam, and a license will not be issued
C. The applicant may appeal to the governor's office
D. The applicant can substitute a different clinical exam
Answer: B
Rationale: If an applicant fails a clinical exam for a third time, they are prohibited from retaking the
clinical exam again, and a license will not be issued.
7. What does an Emeritus Inactive license allow a dental professional to do?
A. Practice dentistry on a limited basis
B. Practice pro bono or volunteer dentistry
C. Nothing—it is not a license to practice
D. Practice only in rural areas
Answer: C
Rationale: An emeritus inactive license is not a license to practice dentistry, dental therapy, dental
hygiene, or dental assisting. It formally recognizes the completion of a licensee's dental career in good
standing.
, 8. What does an Emeritus Active license allow a dental professional to do?
A. Practice full-time dentistry
B. Practice pro bono or volunteer dental practice
C. Practice only in a hospital setting
D. Teach at a dental school
Answer: B
Rationale: An emeritus active license allows the dental professional to engage in pro bono or volunteer
dental practice.
9. How often must a general dentist renew their license?
A. Annually
B. Every two years
C. Every three years
D. Every five years
Answer: B
Rationale: A general dentist may renew a license according to the terms of renewal under part
3100.1700, which operates on a biennial cycle.
10. What is the minimum number of professional development hours required for dentists each biennial
cycle?
A. 25 hours
B. 30 hours
C. 40 hours
D. 50 hours
