Licensure is a process whereby a state grants dentists the legal authority to practice dentistry. Every dental graduate will need to obtain an initial license from a state. In the United States, each state has the right to set its own requirements for professional licensure.
Licensure Requirements
Use our Licensure Map to see your state’s requirements. Although specifics may vary, all states have educational, written and clinical requirements:
- Educational
All states’ educational requirements are satisfied by graduation from a dental school accredited by the ADA Commission on Dental Accreditation.
- Written (National Board Dental Exams)
There are two parts to the National Boards: Part I, which is taken before the third year of dental school, and Part II, taken during the final year of dental school. Although additional written examinations may be required at the state level, all licensing boards use the National Board Dental Examinations to satisfy a major portion of their written exam requirements. To register to take the exam at a Prometric Testing location near you, visit www.ada.org.
- Clinical
Clinical exams may vary (they are not standardized). Most candidates who do not achieve licensure on their first attempt fail in some aspect of the clinical exam. Currently, only five jurisdictions administer their own clinical exams (California, Delaware, Florida, Nevada and Virgin Islands). The remaining boards contract that responsibility to one of the five regional testing agencies. Alternatives to the clinical exam include PGY-1, Canadian NDEB Exam and a portfolio system.
NBDE Study Guides
Download Part I
Download Part II
Licensure Resources
American Association of Dental Examiners
800-621-8099 ext. 7464
www.aadexam.org
Dental Boards and Licensure Information for the New Graduate
http://www.ada.org/sections/educationAndCareers/pdfs/5807_licensure_publication_final2010.pdf
Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations — Commission News
http://www.ada.org/2288.aspx
State licensure for U.S. dentists:
http://www.ada.org/492.aspx
State licensure for international dentists:
http://www.ada.org/490.aspx
Regional Testing Agencies & Services
Council of Interstate Testing Agencies (CITA)
919-678-9792
www.citaexam.com
Central Regional Testing Service (CRDTS)
785-273-0380
www.crdts.org
Southern Regional Testing Agency (SRTA)
757-318-9082
www.srta.org
North East Regional Board of Dental Examiners (NERB)
301-563-3300
www.nerb.org
Western Regional Examining Board (WREB)
602-944-3315
www.wreb.org
Independent States (as of Jan. 27, 2012)
- Delaware
- Florida (administers ADEX)
- Nevada (administers ADEX)
- Virgin Islands