# Virginia foreign-trained dentist residency pathway

> Residency pathway found for internationally trained dentists evaluating GPR, AEGD, CODA residency, or advanced-education options in Virginia.

URL: https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/virginia/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 Virginia dental board before choosing a program or filing an application.

## Direct answer

In Virginia, the sourced state record indicates a CODA residency, GPR, AEGD, or advanced-education pathway may satisfy part of the licensure path under specific conditions. 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) Confirm the current rule directly with Virginia Board of Dentistry (Dept. of Health Professions) before choosing a program or filing an application.

## Residency and advanced-education signal

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

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

## Related

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- [Foreign-trained dentist residency pathway by state](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-residency-pathway/index.html.md)
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