Many dentists and dental students educated outside the United States and Canada wish to obtain a dental license to practice in the U.S. To become licensed to do so, internationally-trained dentists must follow these steps:
- Determine the state(s) where you wish to obtain a license and contact the state board(s) of dentistry to obtain specific licensure requirements and a sample application. Click here for requirements by state.
- Take the NBDE Part I administered by the ADA Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations (JCNDE). Some dental schools require you take both Parts I and II prior to admission. Please refer to each dental school’s website for their requirements. If Part II is not required, you will take that portion after you complete the program.
- Apply to an accredited dental education program with advanced standing to earn a DDS or DMD degree. The application and list of available programs can be found on ADEA’s CAAPID site. Please note: some dental schools do not use CAAPID to administer their application process. You should contact those schools directly for requirements. Reference this list of the 38 U.S. dental schools that offer an AS/IDP program for contact information.
- Complete a clinical licensing examination administered by a state or regional clinical testing agency accepted in the state where you wish to be licensed.
