# Foreign-trained dentist license in Texas

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

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

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 Texas board before acting.

## Pathway

CODA-accredited SPECIALTY program (min. 2 full-time academic years) — GPR/AEGD explicitly NOT accepted. Per TSBDE and 22 TAC §101, a graduate of a non-accredited (foreign) dental school qualifies for licensure by exam by presenting proof of successful completion of training in a CODA-accredited education program that is an ADA-approved specialty consisting of at least two full-time academic years. TSBDE states it will NOT recognize a General Practice Residency (GPR) or Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) in lieu of the specialty requirement. (An advanced-standing CODA DDS/DMD would also satisfy the accredited-school route.)

## Required exams

National Board — NBDE Parts I & II or the iNBDE (electronically validated); plus a general-dentistry regional clinical exam dated within 7 years — TSBDE validates ADEX and CRDTS-SRTA (exams after Jan 1, 2019 must include perio/prostho sections). (WREB retired Dec 31, 2022.) Texas jurisprudence assessment also required.

## Notes

Key distinction: Texas accepts a 2-year CODA-accredited ADA-recognized SPECIALTY program for foreign grads but explicitly rejects GPR/AEGD (general residency) as a substitute. Advanced-standing CODA DDS/DMD is the alternative route.

## Official board source

- Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (TSBDE): <https://tsbde.texas.gov/licensing/dentists/dentist-license-foreign-educated-graduates/>

## References

- Source 1: <https://tsbde.texas.gov/licensing/dentists/dentist-license-foreign-educated-graduates/>
- Source 2: <https://tsbde.texas.gov/licensing/dentists/dentist-license-by-exam/>

## Related

- [Foreign-trained dentist licensure by state](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-licensure/index.html.md)
- [Texas dental license requirements](https://dentovio.com/dental-license-requirements/texas/index.html.md)
- [Texas dental license reciprocity](https://dentovio.com/dental-license-reciprocity/texas/index.html.md)
- [Texas dental licensure exams](https://dentovio.com/dental-licensure-exams/texas/index.html.md)
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