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Washington

Foreign-trained dentist license in Washington

In short, Washington accepts a residency (GPR/AEGD) pathway.

Pathway

Two routes for a non-CODA / non-accredited-school graduate (WAC 246-817-160): (1) advanced-standing route — evidence of at least two additional predoctoral or postdoctoral academic years of CODA-approved dental education (must include clinical training if completed after July 1, 2018); OR (2) CODA residency in lieu of the practical/clinical exam — a general practice residency, AEGD, or pediatric residency, at least one year, ACCREDITED BY CODA, LOCATED IN WASHINGTON STATE, in a residency program that serves predominantly low-income patients (RCW 18.32.040(3)(c)). The residency substitutes for the clinical exam but the 2-additional-academic-years education requirement for non-accredited-school grads still applies.

Required exams

Written: iNBDE, or NBDE Parts I & II, or the Canadian NDEB exam. Clinical: ADEX, CDCA, CITA, WREB, SRTA, CRDTS, or DLOSCE (results within 5 years) — OR the qualifying WA-based low-income CODA residency in lieu of the clinical exam. Plus WA jurisprudence.

Notes

Residency pathway is conditional: must be a CODA GPR/AEGD/pediatric residency located in Washington serving predominantly low-income patients (RCW 18.32.040(3)(c)) and substitutes only for the clinical exam. WAC 246-817-160 was under review to clarify foreign-trained/non-accredited education requirements — verify current text. University of Washington also offers an advanced-standing DDS (UWIDDS) as a separate route.

Residency pathway

Residency pathway found: the sourced state record indicates a CODA residency, GPR, AEGD, or advanced-education pathway may satisfy part of the licensure path under specific conditions.

View residency pathwayCompare advanced-standingCompare no-repeat pathsView licensure exams

Official source

Washington State Dental Quality Assurance Commission (Dept. of Health)

Visit the Washington board →

References

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 Washington board before you act. Try the eligibility matcher.