# Foreign-trained dentist license in South Carolina

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

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

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 South Carolina board before acting.

## Pathway

Advanced-standing CODA DDS/DMD only. SC Code Title 40, Ch. 15 (§40-15-140) requires 'satisfactory evidence of graduation from a dental college... accredited by the Commission [on Dental Accreditation]'. There is no statutory GPR/AEGD residency pathway to initial licensure for a non-CODA degree — a foreign-trained dentist must obtain a CODA-accredited DDS/DMD (advanced-standing program). (A narrow discretionary provision lets the Board require additional education 'in an ADA approved dental school or residency' only after 3 failed clinical exam attempts, not as a general foreign-grad pathway.)

## Required exams

National Board (JCNDE) — NBDE Parts I & II or the iNBDE; plus a regional clinical exam. SC accepts ADEX, CDCA-WREB-CITA, CRDTS+SRTA. (WREB was retired Dec 31, 2022.) SC jurisprudence exam also required.

## Notes

Non-CODA foreign graduates cannot license on the foreign degree alone and cannot use a GPR/AEGD residency; they must complete a CODA-accredited advanced-standing DDS/DMD program to meet the education requirement. Verify current specifics with the Board.

## Official board source

- South Carolina Board of Dentistry (SC LLR): <https://llr.sc.gov/bod/>

## References

- Source 1: <https://llr.sc.gov/bod/>
- Source 2: <https://www.ada.org/en/resources/licensure>

## Related

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