Can a foreign-trained dentist practice in the United States?

Yes, but a dental degree from a non-CODA-accredited (foreign) school is generally not enough on its own. Most states require completing a CODA-accredited advanced-standing DDS/DMD program (typically 2+ years). A number of states also accept a CODA residency (GPR/AEGD) pathway. Every applicant must pass the national written exam (the iNBDE, which replaced NBDE Parts I and II) and an accepted clinical exam (such as ADEX/CDCA-WREB-CITA).

Which states let foreign dentists license without repeating dental school?

Based on our research, these states accept a residency (GPR/AEGD) pathway for foreign-trained dentists: Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia. Rules change and vary in detail, so confirm the exact terms with each state board.

What exams do foreign-trained dentists need?

Typically the iNBDE (Integrated National Board Dental Examination, which replaced NBDE Parts I and II), a board-accepted clinical examination (ADEX/CDCA-WREB-CITA, CRDTS/SRTA, or in some states the DLOSCE), and a state jurisprudence exam. Note the WREB clinical exam was retired December 31, 2022.

Internationally-trained dentists

Foreign-trained dentist licensure by state

A degree from a dental school outside the U.S. (a non-CODA school) usually isn’t enough on its own. Most states require a CODA-accredited advanced-standing DDS/DMD, but 16 states accept a residency (GPR/AEGD) pathway instead. Start with the matcher, then open your target state.

Open the eligibility matcher Open California pathway No-repeat pathways Advanced-standing pathways Residency pathways Licensure exams by state License requirements License by state License reciprocity State dental boards Browse tools Browse resources

All 51 jurisdictions

Pathway signal for foreign-trained dentists. “Verify” means the residency route couldn’t be confirmed — check the board.

State	Pathway signal	Details	Residency
Alabama	Advanced-standing	Alabama pathway	Residency route
Alaska	Residency pathway	Alaska pathway	Residency route
Arizona	Advanced-standing	Arizona pathway	Residency route
Arkansas	Residency pathway	Arkansas pathway	Residency route
California	Advanced-standing	California pathway	Residency route
Colorado	Advanced-standing	Colorado pathway	Residency route
Connecticut	Residency pathway	Connecticut pathway	Residency route
Delaware	Advanced-standing	Delaware pathway	Residency route
District of Columbia	Advanced-standing	District of Columbia pathway	Residency route
Florida	Advanced-standing	Florida pathway	Residency route
Georgia	Advanced-standing	Georgia pathway	Residency route
Hawaii	Advanced-standing	Hawaii pathway	Residency route
Idaho	Advanced-standing	Idaho pathway	Residency route
Illinois	Residency pathway	Illinois pathway	Residency route
Indiana	Verify	Indiana pathway	Residency route
Iowa	Residency pathway	Iowa pathway	Residency route
Kansas	Verify	Kansas pathway	Residency route
Kentucky	Residency pathway	Kentucky pathway	Residency route
Louisiana	Residency pathway	Louisiana pathway	Residency route
Maine	Verify	Maine pathway	Residency route
Maryland	Advanced-standing	Maryland pathway	Residency route
Massachusetts	Advanced-standing	Massachusetts pathway	Residency route
Michigan	Verify	Michigan pathway	Residency route
Minnesota	Residency pathway	Minnesota pathway	Residency route
Mississippi	Residency pathway	Mississippi pathway	Residency route
Missouri	Advanced-standing	Missouri pathway	Residency route
Montana	Advanced-standing	Montana pathway	Residency route
Nebraska	Advanced-standing	Nebraska pathway	Residency route
Nevada	Advanced-standing	Nevada pathway	Residency route
New Hampshire	Advanced-standing	New Hampshire pathway	Residency route
New Jersey	Advanced-standing	New Jersey pathway	Residency route
New Mexico	Advanced-standing	New Mexico pathway	Residency route
New York	Advanced-standing	New York pathway	Residency route
North Carolina	Residency pathway	North Carolina pathway	Residency route
North Dakota	Advanced-standing	North Dakota pathway	Residency route
Ohio	Residency pathway	Ohio pathway	Residency route
Oklahoma	Advanced-standing	Oklahoma pathway	Residency route
Oregon	Residency pathway	Oregon pathway	Residency route
Pennsylvania	Advanced-standing	Pennsylvania pathway	Residency route
Rhode Island	Advanced-standing	Rhode Island pathway	Residency route
South Carolina	Advanced-standing	South Carolina pathway	Residency route
South Dakota	Verify	South Dakota pathway	Residency route
Tennessee	Advanced-standing	Tennessee pathway	Residency route
Texas	Advanced-standing	Texas pathway	Residency route
Utah	Advanced-standing	Utah pathway	Residency route
Vermont	Residency pathway	Vermont pathway	Residency route
Virginia	Residency pathway	Virginia pathway	Residency route
Washington	Residency pathway	Washington pathway	Residency route
West Virginia	Residency pathway	West Virginia pathway	Residency route
Wisconsin	Advanced-standing	Wisconsin pathway	Residency route
Wyoming	Advanced-standing	Wyoming pathway	Residency route

Frequently asked questions

Can a foreign-trained dentist practice in the United States?: Yes, but a dental degree from a non-CODA-accredited (foreign) school is generally not enough on its own. Most states require completing a CODA-accredited advanced-standing DDS/DMD program (typically 2+ years). A number of states also accept a CODA residency (GPR/AEGD) pathway. Every applicant must pass the national written exam (the iNBDE, which replaced NBDE Parts I and II) and an accepted clinical exam (such as ADEX/CDCA-WREB-CITA).
Which states let foreign dentists license without repeating dental school?: Based on our research, these states accept a residency (GPR/AEGD) pathway for foreign-trained dentists: Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia. Rules change and vary in detail, so confirm the exact terms with each state board.
What exams do foreign-trained dentists need?: Typically the iNBDE (Integrated National Board Dental Examination, which replaced NBDE Parts I and II), a board-accepted clinical examination (ADEX/CDCA-WREB-CITA, CRDTS/SRTA, or in some states the DLOSCE), and a state jurisprudence exam. Note the WREB clinical exam was retired December 31, 2022.