# Foreign-trained dentist license in Virginia

> Virginia pathway signal for internationally trained dentists: Residency pathway found.

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

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 Virginia board before acting.

## Pathway

CODA residency pathway accepted: a foreign-trained dentist qualifies by holding a diploma/certificate from a CODA- or CDAC-accredited program that is EITHER a pre-doctoral (DDS/DMD) program, OR at least a 12-month post-doctoral advanced general dentistry program (GPR/AEGD), OR a post-doctoral program of at least 24 months in another specialty that includes a clinical component. A non-CODA graduate may also enter a Virginia advanced-standing program under a temporary/restricted license (18VAC60-21-230).

## Required exams

National board (iNBDE / NBDE) plus a clinical competency examination per Board guidance document 60-25; ADEX-based clinical exams (CDCA/CITA) and other Board-accepted regional exams. Verify exact accepted clinical exams in guidance doc 60-25.

## Notes

Confirmed on the official Virginia Board of Dentistry FAQ: the 12-month post-doctoral AGD or 24-month specialty CODA/CDAC program is an accepted route to full licensure (no need to repeat predoctoral dental school). Temporary resident/restricted license (18VAC60-21-230) covers those still in training. Contact board denbd@dhp.virginia.gov for guidance doc 60-25 exam specifics.

## Official board source

- Virginia Board of Dentistry (Dept. of Health Professions): <https://www.dhp.virginia.gov/Boards/Dentistry/>

## References

- Source 1: <https://www.dhp.virginia.gov/Boards/Dentistry/AbouttheBoard/FAQ/>
- Source 2: <https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title18/agency60/chapter21/section230/>
- Source 3: <https://www.ada.org/resources/careers/licensure/licensure-for-the-international-dentists>

## Related

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