# Massachusetts foreign-trained dentist residency pathway > No residency-only route found for internationally trained dentists evaluating GPR, AEGD, CODA residency, or advanced-education options in Massachusetts. URL: https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/massachusetts/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 Massachusetts dental board before choosing a program or filing an application. ## Direct answer In Massachusetts, 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 CODA DDS/DMD only for full licensure. MGL c.112 §45 requires a diploma from a dental college accredited/recognized as accredited by CODA, and 234 CMR 4.03(3) (Initial Dentist Licensure by Examination) explicitly requires an original transcript stating the degree from a CODA-accredited dental school (or Board-approved successor accreditor). Confirm the current rule directly with Massachusetts Board of Registration in Dentistry before choosing a program or filing an application. ## Residency and advanced-education signal Advanced-standing CODA DDS/DMD only for full licensure. MGL c.112 §45 requires a diploma from a dental college accredited/recognized as accredited by CODA, and 234 CMR 4.03(3) (Initial Dentist Licensure by Examination) explicitly requires an original transcript stating the degree from a CODA-accredited dental school (or Board-approved successor accreditor). A foreign (non-CODA) graduate must complete a U.S. CODA-accredited advanced-standing DDS/DMD to obtain full licensure. Foreign-trained dentists WITHOUT a U.S. license typically use a Limited License (Dental Intern) under 234 CMR 4.05 while enrolled in an advanced-standing/postdoctoral program — this is restricted, not full licensure. No CODA GPR/AEGD-only pathway to full licensure for foreign grads. ## Required exams iNBDE (NBDE Parts I & II per 234 CMR 4.03(5)(a)) + ADEX clinical exam administered by CDCA-WREB-CITA (234 CMR 4.03(5)(b)); patient-based periodontal examination required, minimum 75% in each section. Older CRDTS/SRTA/CDCA-DSE combinations accepted only within specific historical date windows. Plus MA Dental Ethics and Jurisprudence Examination. (WREB retired Dec 31 2022.) ## Notes Full licensure requires a CODA-accredited dental degree; foreign grads satisfy this via a U.S. advanced-standing DDS/DMD. Limited License / Dental Intern (234 CMR 4.05) and Limited License Full-time Faculty are separate restricted categories for foreign-trained dentists in academic/training settings, not general practice licensure. Verify with Board: dentistry.admin@mass.gov. ## Official board source - Massachusetts Board of Registration in Dentistry: ## References - - - - ## Related - [Foreign-trained dentist license in Massachusetts](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/massachusetts/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)