# Foreign-trained dentist license in Washington

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

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

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 acting.

## 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.

## Official board source

- Washington State Dental Quality Assurance Commission (Dept. of Health): <https://doh.wa.gov/licenses-permits-and-certificates/professions-new-renew-or-update/dentist/licensing-requirements>

## References

- Source 1: <https://doh.wa.gov/licenses-permits-and-certificates/professions-new-renew-or-update/dentist/licensing-requirements>
- Source 2: <https://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=246-817-160>
- Source 3: <https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=18.32.040>
- Source 4: <https://www.ada.org/~/media/Project/ADA%20Organization/ADA/ADA-org/Files/Education/Licensure%20by%20State/Washington_Licensure>

## Related

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