New Mexico foreign-trained dentist residency pathway
In New Mexico, 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 (or equivalent CODA degree) required. NMSA 61-5A-12 and NMAC 16.5 require all dentist licensure applicants to have graduated and received a degree from a school of dentistry accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. Confirm the current rule directly with New Mexico Board of Dental Health Care (Regulation & Licensing Department) before choosing a program or filing an application.
Residency signal
Advanced-standing CODA DDS/DMD (or equivalent CODA degree) required. NMSA 61-5A-12 and NMAC 16.5 require all dentist licensure applicants to have graduated and received a degree from a school of dentistry accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. A CODA-accredited GPR/AEGD residency alone is not established as a standalone route to general licensure for a foreign (non-CODA) graduate — the underlying dental degree must be from a CODA-accredited school. (A separate CODA residency route exists only for specialty licensure.)
Exam signal
Dental National Board Examination (NBDE/iNBDE) plus a Board-accepted clinical examination (historically WREB/CRDT/SRTA/ADEX-NERB) and the New Mexico jurisprudence exam. WREB was retired Dec 31, 2022 — confirm currently accepted clinical exams (e.g., CDCA-WREB/ADEX, CITA) with the Board.
Source notes
Statute plainly ties general licensure to a CODA-accredited dental degree, so a foreign grad must complete a CODA advanced-standing DDS/DMD. The Board FAQ does not spell out a residency-only pathway. CODA advanced-education pathway in NM is explicitly for SPECIALTY licensure, not to substitute for the dental degree. Confirm exam specifics with the Board.
Official board source
New Mexico Board of Dental Health Care (Regulation & Licensing Department)
Visit the New Mexico boardReferences
- https://law.justia.com/codes/new-mexico/chapter-61/article-5a/section-61-5a-12/
- https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/new-mexico/N-M-Admin-Code-SS-16.5.8.9
- https://www.rld.nm.gov/boards-and-commissions/individual-boards-and-commissions/dental-health-care/faqs/
- https://www.srca.nm.gov/parts/title16/16.005.0008.html