Dental use licence
Who needs this licence?
You will need this licence if you seek to use a radiation source for a dental service.
People using radiation in the dental industry include:
- dentists
- dental hygienists
- oral health therapists
- dental therapists
- dental assistants
- dental students.
Application exemptions – prescribed licensees
In Queensland, registered dentists, dental hygienists, oral health therapists and dental therapists do not need to apply for a licence to use intra-oral dental X-ray equipment. These dental practitioners are deemed to hold a use licence under Radiation Safety Act 1999.
Additionally, student dental practitioners do not need to apply for a licence to use intra-oral dental and extra-oral plain dental X-ray equipment if the student is undertaking supervised activities:
- as part of an approved program of study for the dental profession, or
- as part of clinical training in the dental profession.
Read Prescribed licensees (PDF 837 kB) for more information.
Although prescribed licensees do not need to apply for a licence, they are still use licensees under the Act and are required to comply with all elements of the Act as is the case for all other use licensees.
Responsibilities of a use licensee
As part of your responsibilities as a use licensee you will need to:
- only use a radiation source for the practice described in your use licence
- only use a radiation source if the possession licensee has specified that you may
- comply with the possession licensee’s approved Radiation Safety and Protection Plan for the radiation practice and your individual responsibilities detailed in it
- ensure that the procedure has been authorised by an authorised person.
You are required to comply with Radiation Safety Act 1999 and the Code for Radiation Protection in Dental Exposure (2025).
Find out more about radiation roles and responsibilities.
Apply for a dental radiation use licence
If you are a dental practitioner and seek to use a radiation source that is not provided for under the prescribed use licence arrangements, you may apply for a licence by one of the following application methods:
- lodging an application via our online portal Public Health Connect (PH Connect). Just follow the prompts to log in to your existing portal account or register for a new account; or
- use the Application for a licence to use a radiation apparatus - dental practitioner or dental assistant (PDF 897 kB)
Your application needs to include:
- 2 certified proof of identity documents
- a certified copy of your qualifications (for example, a degree, professional recognition)
- evidence of your experience using the radiation source
Required training and competency
You will need to demonstrate that you have undergone both theoretical and practical training using the radiation source safely and effectively for the type of radiation service.
Evidence of these competencies will depend on your individual education and experience but is commonly achieved via:
- educational institutions with suitable training programs—offering theoretical and practical hands-on competencies as a part of the course
- practical hands-on experience under a licensed supervisor—who provides a statement certifying that you have completed sufficient practical training and are competent to perform the radiation service.
Licence duration
A use licence can be for 1, 2 or 3 years.
You will be sent a renewal application form 40 days before your licence expires. It is your responsibility to ensure that you renew your licence before the expiry of the licence if you wish to continue using radiation sources.
Fees
If you do not hold a current paper licence you will need to pay an application fee and a licence fee.
See schedule of fees to determine the fee you will need to pay. Your application will only be considered complete once payment has been made.