# Foreign-trained dentist license in Colorado

> Colorado pathway signal for internationally trained dentists: Advanced-standing route required.

URL: https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/colorado

Last verified: 2026-07-08

Research confidence: high

Educational summary only, not legal or immigration advice. Dental licensure rules change and the details vary; confirm current requirements directly with the Colorado board before acting.

## Pathway

Advanced-standing CODA DDS/DMD only. Colorado Dental Board Rule (3 CCR 709-1) requires a doctorate (DDS/DMD) from a CODA-approved (or, by reciprocity, CDAC-accredited) dental school. A foreign/non-CODA graduate must earn a US CODA DDS/DMD, generally via a 2–3 year advanced-standing program. A CODA GPR/AEGD residency alone does NOT substitute for the degree. The only narrow exception is licensure by endorsement under the Occupational Credential Portability Program (12-20-202(3), C.R.S.) for someone already licensed and in good standing in another US state/territory.

## Required exams

Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations (iNBDE, which replaced NBDE Parts I/II) plus a Board-accepted clinical competency exam (ADEX/CDCA-WREB-CITA family; WREB retired Dec 31, 2022). Regulation leaves specific clinical exam to Board discretion.

## Notes

Rule text: foreign grad must 'obtain a doctorate of dental surgery or a doctorate of dental medicine from a dental school approved by CODA' (or CDAC by reciprocity). No residency-only pathway. Colorado recently defended the CODA requirement against legislative attempts to modify it. Board URL is DORA's dental page (dpo.colorado.gov/Dental); verify current clinical-exam acceptance directly with the Board.

## Official board source

- Colorado Dental Board (DORA — Division of Professions and Occupations): <https://dpo.colorado.gov/Dental>

## References

- Source 1: <https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/colorado/3-CCR-709-1.6>
- Source 2: <https://www.sos.state.co.us/CCR/GenerateRulePdf.do?ruleVersionId=12447&fileName=3+CCR+709-1>
- Source 3: <https://dpo.colorado.gov/Dental>
- Source 4: <https://www.ada.org/resources/careers/licensure/licensure-for-the-international-dentists>

## Related

- [Foreign-trained dentist licensure by state](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-licensure/index.html.md)
- [Colorado dental license requirements](https://dentovio.com/dental-license-requirements/colorado/index.html.md)
- [Colorado dental license reciprocity](https://dentovio.com/dental-license-reciprocity/colorado/index.html.md)
- [Colorado dental licensure exams](https://dentovio.com/dental-licensure-exams/colorado/index.html.md)
- [Colorado foreign-trained dentist residency pathway](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/colorado/residency-pathway/index.html.md)
- [Foreign-trained dentist licensure matcher](https://dentovio.com/tools/foreign-dentist-license-eligibility)