# Foreign-trained dentist license in Hawaii

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

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

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 Hawaii board before acting.

## Pathway

Advanced-standing CODA DDS/DMD only. Hawaii Board FAQ (rev. 07.16.25) states only CODA-accredited DDS or DMD degrees are acceptable for dentist (DT) licensure, and that 'Completion of an advanced dental education program at a CODA accredited dental college is NOT acceptable in lieu of a DDS or DMD degree.' A foreign (non-CODA) graduate must therefore earn a CODA DDS/DMD via a US advanced-standing program. No residency (GPR/AEGD) pathway.

## Required exams

Written: iNBDE (or NBDE Part I & II). Clinical: must pass ALL 5 parts of the ADEX exam (including the optional 5th periodontal section); no other regional exam (CRDTS, SRTA, WREB, NERB) is accepted for DT licensure per HRS 448-9.4. Live-patient or full-manikin ADEX (on/after June 5, 2020) accepted.

## Notes

Only CODA-accredited non-US schools currently recognized (as of May 2025) are Yeditepe University (Turkey) and King Abdulaziz University (Saudi Arabia). CDAC (Canada) reciprocity does NOT qualify for DT licensure (may qualify for CSDT/DTT temporary/community-service types only). Hawaii does not license by reciprocity or specialty.

## Official board source

- Hawaii Board of Dentistry (DCCA-PVL): <https://cca.hawaii.gov/pvl/boards/dentist/>

## References

- Source 1: <https://cca.hawaii.gov/pvl/boards/dentist/>
- Source 2: <https://cca.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Board-of-Dentistry-General-FAQs_07.16.2025.pdf>

## Related

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