# Florida foreign-trained dentist residency pathway

> No residency-only route found for internationally trained dentists evaluating GPR, AEGD, CODA residency, or advanced-education options in Florida.

URL: https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/florida/residency-pathway

Last verified: 2026-07-08

Research confidence: high

Educational summary only, not legal, immigration, or admissions advice. Dental licensure rules change and program eligibility varies. Confirm current requirements directly with the Florida dental board before choosing a program or filing an application.

## Direct answer

In Florida, the sourced state record generally points foreign-trained dentists toward a CODA-accredited DDS/DMD or advanced-standing pathway, not a residency-only route. Advanced-standing / supplemental CODA program required — NOT a residency pathway. Under s. 466.006, Fla. Stat., a graduate of a non-CODA (foreign) dental school must complete at least 2 consecutive academic years of full-time study in a CODA-accredited supplemental general dentistry program that provides didactic and clinical education at the DDS/DMD level. Confirm the current rule directly with Florida Board of Dentistry (Florida Department of Health) before choosing a program or filing an application.

## Residency and advanced-education signal

Advanced-standing / supplemental CODA program required — NOT a residency pathway. Under s. 466.006, Fla. Stat., a graduate of a non-CODA (foreign) dental school must complete at least 2 consecutive academic years of full-time study in a CODA-accredited supplemental general dentistry program that provides didactic and clinical education at the DDS/DMD level. The statute expressly excludes advanced education programs in a dental specialty, and experience gained under a teaching/residency permit does NOT count toward this requirement — so a GPR/AEGD or specialty residency is NOT an accepted substitute.

## Required exams

National Board Dental Examination (Parts I and II / iNBDE), the ADEX Dental Licensing Examination (clinical; if taken outside Florida must be on/after Oct 2, 2011), and the Florida Laws and Rules Examination. WREB retired Dec 31, 2022.

## Notes

Florida has no reciprocity/endorsement/licensure-by-credentials. The 2-year CODA 'supplemental general dentistry program' is effectively an advanced-standing route to DDS/DMD-level education; it is distinct from (and cannot be replaced by) a GPR/AEGD residency. Requires the Florida-specific Laws and Rules exam in addition to iNBDE + ADEX.

## Official board source

- Florida Board of Dentistry (Florida Department of Health): <https://floridasdentistry.gov/dentist/>

## References

- <https://floridasdentistry.gov/dentist/>
- <https://www.flsenate.gov/laws/statutes/2023/466.006>
- <https://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0400-0499%2F0466%2F0466.html>
- <https://floridasdentistry.gov/Applications/dentistry-licensure-app.pdf>

## Related

- [Foreign-trained dentist license in Florida](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/florida/index.html.md)
- [Foreign-trained dentist residency pathway by state](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-residency-pathway/index.html.md)
- [Foreign dentist license without repeating dental school](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license-without-repeating-dental-school/index.html.md)
- [Foreign-trained dentist advanced-standing pathway by state](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-advanced-standing/index.html.md)
- [Foreign-trained dentist licensure by state](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-licensure/index.html.md)
- [Foreign-trained dentist licensure matcher](https://dentovio.com/tools/foreign-dentist-license-eligibility)