# Foreign-trained dentist residency pathway by state

> Source-backed U.S. reference for internationally trained dentists comparing CODA residency, GPR, AEGD, specialty, and advanced-education pathway signals by state.

URL: https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-residency-pathway

Last verified: 2026-07-08

Educational summary only, not legal, immigration, or admissions advice. Dental licensure rules change and program eligibility varies. Confirm current requirements directly with the relevant state dental board before choosing a program or filing an application.

## Direct answer

Use Dentovio's foreign-trained dentist residency pathway hub to compare U.S. jurisdictions that signal a CODA residency, GPR, AEGD, specialty, or advanced-education route for internationally trained dentists. States currently marked as accepting a residency pathway in this dataset: Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia. States marked unclear or source-conflicted: Indiana, Kansas, Maine, Michigan, South Dakota. Confirm the current rule directly with the state dental board before choosing a program or applying.

## State residency signals

| State | Residency signal | Focused mirror | Full licensure page |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Alabama | No residency-only route found | [Residency pathway](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/alabama/residency-pathway/index.html.md) | [Licensure page](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/alabama/index.html.md) |
| Alaska | Residency pathway found | [Residency pathway](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/alaska/residency-pathway/index.html.md) | [Licensure page](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/alaska/index.html.md) |
| Arizona | No residency-only route found | [Residency pathway](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/arizona/residency-pathway/index.html.md) | [Licensure page](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/arizona/index.html.md) |
| Arkansas | Residency pathway found | [Residency pathway](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/arkansas/residency-pathway/index.html.md) | [Licensure page](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/arkansas/index.html.md) |
| California | No residency-only route found | [Residency pathway](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/california/residency-pathway/index.html.md) | [Licensure page](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/california/index.html.md) |
| Colorado | No residency-only route found | [Residency pathway](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/colorado/residency-pathway/index.html.md) | [Licensure page](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/colorado/index.html.md) |
| Connecticut | Residency pathway found | [Residency pathway](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/connecticut/residency-pathway/index.html.md) | [Licensure page](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/connecticut/index.html.md) |
| Delaware | No residency-only route found | [Residency pathway](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/delaware/residency-pathway/index.html.md) | [Licensure page](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/delaware/index.html.md) |
| District of Columbia | No residency-only route found | [Residency pathway](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/district-of-columbia/residency-pathway/index.html.md) | [Licensure page](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/district-of-columbia/index.html.md) |
| Florida | No residency-only route found | [Residency pathway](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/florida/residency-pathway/index.html.md) | [Licensure page](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/florida/index.html.md) |
| Georgia | No residency-only route found | [Residency pathway](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/georgia/residency-pathway/index.html.md) | [Licensure page](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/georgia/index.html.md) |
| Hawaii | No residency-only route found | [Residency pathway](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/hawaii/residency-pathway/index.html.md) | [Licensure page](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/hawaii/index.html.md) |
| Idaho | No residency-only route found | [Residency pathway](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/idaho/residency-pathway/index.html.md) | [Licensure page](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/idaho/index.html.md) |
| Illinois | Residency pathway found | [Residency pathway](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/illinois/residency-pathway/index.html.md) | [Licensure page](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/illinois/index.html.md) |
| Indiana | Pathway unclear | [Residency pathway](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/indiana/residency-pathway/index.html.md) | [Licensure page](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/indiana/index.html.md) |
| Iowa | Residency pathway found | [Residency pathway](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/iowa/residency-pathway/index.html.md) | [Licensure page](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/iowa/index.html.md) |
| Kansas | Pathway unclear | [Residency pathway](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/kansas/residency-pathway/index.html.md) | [Licensure page](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/kansas/index.html.md) |
| Kentucky | Residency pathway found | [Residency pathway](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/kentucky/residency-pathway/index.html.md) | [Licensure page](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/kentucky/index.html.md) |
| Louisiana | Residency pathway found | [Residency pathway](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/louisiana/residency-pathway/index.html.md) | [Licensure page](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/louisiana/index.html.md) |
| Maine | Pathway unclear | [Residency pathway](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/maine/residency-pathway/index.html.md) | [Licensure page](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/maine/index.html.md) |
| Maryland | No residency-only route found | [Residency pathway](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/maryland/residency-pathway/index.html.md) | [Licensure page](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/maryland/index.html.md) |
| Massachusetts | No residency-only route found | [Residency pathway](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/massachusetts/residency-pathway/index.html.md) | [Licensure page](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/massachusetts/index.html.md) |
| Michigan | Pathway unclear | [Residency pathway](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/michigan/residency-pathway/index.html.md) | [Licensure page](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/michigan/index.html.md) |
| Minnesota | Residency pathway found | [Residency pathway](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/minnesota/residency-pathway/index.html.md) | [Licensure page](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/minnesota/index.html.md) |
| Mississippi | Residency pathway found | [Residency pathway](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/mississippi/residency-pathway/index.html.md) | [Licensure page](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/mississippi/index.html.md) |
| Missouri | No residency-only route found | [Residency pathway](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/missouri/residency-pathway/index.html.md) | [Licensure page](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/missouri/index.html.md) |
| Montana | No residency-only route found | [Residency pathway](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/montana/residency-pathway/index.html.md) | [Licensure page](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/montana/index.html.md) |
| Nebraska | No residency-only route found | [Residency pathway](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/nebraska/residency-pathway/index.html.md) | [Licensure page](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/nebraska/index.html.md) |
| Nevada | No residency-only route found | [Residency pathway](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/nevada/residency-pathway/index.html.md) | [Licensure page](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/nevada/index.html.md) |
| New Hampshire | No residency-only route found | [Residency pathway](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/new-hampshire/residency-pathway/index.html.md) | [Licensure page](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/new-hampshire/index.html.md) |
| New Jersey | No residency-only route found | [Residency pathway](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/new-jersey/residency-pathway/index.html.md) | [Licensure page](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/new-jersey/index.html.md) |
| New Mexico | No residency-only route found | [Residency pathway](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/new-mexico/residency-pathway/index.html.md) | [Licensure page](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/new-mexico/index.html.md) |
| New York | No residency-only route found | [Residency pathway](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/new-york/residency-pathway/index.html.md) | [Licensure page](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/new-york/index.html.md) |
| North Carolina | Residency pathway found | [Residency pathway](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/north-carolina/residency-pathway/index.html.md) | [Licensure page](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/north-carolina/index.html.md) |
| North Dakota | No residency-only route found | [Residency pathway](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/north-dakota/residency-pathway/index.html.md) | [Licensure page](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/north-dakota/index.html.md) |
| Ohio | Residency pathway found | [Residency pathway](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/ohio/residency-pathway/index.html.md) | [Licensure page](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/ohio/index.html.md) |
| Oklahoma | No residency-only route found | [Residency pathway](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/oklahoma/residency-pathway/index.html.md) | [Licensure page](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/oklahoma/index.html.md) |
| Oregon | Residency pathway found | [Residency pathway](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/oregon/residency-pathway/index.html.md) | [Licensure page](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/oregon/index.html.md) |
| Pennsylvania | No residency-only route found | [Residency pathway](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/pennsylvania/residency-pathway/index.html.md) | [Licensure page](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/pennsylvania/index.html.md) |
| Rhode Island | No residency-only route found | [Residency pathway](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/rhode-island/residency-pathway/index.html.md) | [Licensure page](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/rhode-island/index.html.md) |
| South Carolina | No residency-only route found | [Residency pathway](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/south-carolina/residency-pathway/index.html.md) | [Licensure page](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/south-carolina/index.html.md) |
| South Dakota | Pathway unclear | [Residency pathway](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/south-dakota/residency-pathway/index.html.md) | [Licensure page](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/south-dakota/index.html.md) |
| Tennessee | No residency-only route found | [Residency pathway](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/tennessee/residency-pathway/index.html.md) | [Licensure page](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/tennessee/index.html.md) |
| Texas | No residency-only route found | [Residency pathway](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/texas/residency-pathway/index.html.md) | [Licensure page](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/texas/index.html.md) |
| Utah | No residency-only route found | [Residency pathway](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/utah/residency-pathway/index.html.md) | [Licensure page](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/utah/index.html.md) |
| Vermont | Residency pathway found | [Residency pathway](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/vermont/residency-pathway/index.html.md) | [Licensure page](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/vermont/index.html.md) |
| Virginia | Residency pathway found | [Residency pathway](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/virginia/residency-pathway/index.html.md) | [Licensure page](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/virginia/index.html.md) |
| Washington | Residency pathway found | [Residency pathway](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/washington/residency-pathway/index.html.md) | [Licensure page](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/washington/index.html.md) |
| West Virginia | Residency pathway found | [Residency pathway](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/west-virginia/residency-pathway/index.html.md) | [Licensure page](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/west-virginia/index.html.md) |
| Wisconsin | No residency-only route found | [Residency pathway](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/wisconsin/residency-pathway/index.html.md) | [Licensure page](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/wisconsin/index.html.md) |
| Wyoming | No residency-only route found | [Residency pathway](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/wyoming/residency-pathway/index.html.md) | [Licensure page](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/wyoming/index.html.md) |

## States with a sourced residency pathway

- [Alaska foreign-trained dentist residency pathway](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/alaska/residency-pathway/index.html.md): CODA residency (GPR/AEGD) pathway accepted in lieu of a regional clinical exam. Under 12 AAC 28.940(a)(8)(D), an applicant may qualify by showing satisfactory completion of a clinically-based postdoctoral GPR or AEGD program of at least.
- [Arkansas foreign-trained dentist residency pathway](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/arkansas/residency-pathway/index.html.md): CODA residency/advanced-education pathway accepted (no full repeat of dental school required). Under the board's Article IX (Credentials for Foreign Trained Dentists)
- [Connecticut foreign-trained dentist residency pathway](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/connecticut/residency-pathway/index.html.md): CODA residency (postgraduate training) pathway accepted — no advanced-standing DDS/DMD required. Per Conn. Gen. Stat. 20-107 and DPH rules, a foreign dental school graduate (DDS/DMD or equivalent) may qualify by completing (1)
- [Illinois foreign-trained dentist residency pathway](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/illinois/residency-pathway/index.html.md): Residency/advanced-education pathway accepted (alternative). Under 225 ILCS 25/9(c)(2) and 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1220.100(b), a graduate of a dental school OUTSIDE the US/Canada may qualify by EITHER (A)
- [Iowa foreign-trained dentist residency pathway](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/iowa/residency-pathway/index.html.md): CODA residency pathway accepted (historically). Under former rule IAC 650—11.4 a foreign/non-accredited-school graduate could qualify by completing EITHER a postgraduate general practice residency of at least one academic year OR an.
- [Kentucky foreign-trained dentist residency pathway](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/kentucky/residency-pathway/index.html.md): CODA residency (GPR / postgraduate general dentistry) pathway ACCEPTED — no repeat of dental school required. Kentucky offers a distinct 'Licensure by International Training' pathway for graduates of non-CODA-accredited (foreign)
- [Louisiana foreign-trained dentist residency pathway](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/louisiana/residency-pathway/index.html.md): CODA postgraduate program (residency) pathway ACCEPTED — no repeat DDS/DMD required. An applicant who did NOT attend an accredited (CODA)
- [Minnesota foreign-trained dentist residency pathway](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/minnesota/residency-pathway/index.html.md): Foreign-training EQUIVALENCY pathway — a full CODA advanced-standing DDS/DMD is NOT strictly required. Minn. Stat. §150A.06 Subd. 1 provides that a graduate of a dental college in another country 'must not be disqualified from examination.
- [Mississippi foreign-trained dentist residency pathway](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/mississippi/residency-pathway/index.html.md): CODA postdoctoral (2+ year) pathway — a full advanced-standing DDS/DMD repeat is NOT required, but foreign grads CANNOT use licensure-by-credentials (that is CODA-graduates only). Per Miss. Code Ann. §73-9-23(3), a foreign (non-ADA/CODA)
- [North Carolina foreign-trained dentist residency pathway](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/north-carolina/residency-pathway/index.html.md): CODA residency (advanced dental education) pathway ACCEPTED. Under 21 NCAC 16B .0501 (licensure by credentials), an applicant who graduated with a certificate or degree from a CODA-accredited ADVANCED DENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAM (e.g.
- [Ohio foreign-trained dentist residency pathway](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/ohio/residency-pathway/index.html.md): CODA residency (GPR/AEGD) pathway accepted. A foreign-trained (non-CODA) dentist does NOT have to repeat dental school: completing a minimum two years of clinical training in general dentistry in a CODA-accredited General Practice.
- [Oregon foreign-trained dentist residency pathway](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/oregon/residency-pathway/index.html.md): CODA residency (GPR) pathway accepted (as an alternative to a CODA predoctoral program), but under Oregon's 'license without further examination' rule. A graduate of a dental school outside the U.S.
- [Vermont foreign-trained dentist residency pathway](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/vermont/residency-pathway/index.html.md): CODA residency pathway accepted: 26 V.S.A. 601(2)(B) allows licensure by exam for a graduate of 'a program of foreign dental training AND a postgraduate program accredited by CODA that is acceptable to the Board.
- [Virginia foreign-trained dentist residency pathway](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/virginia/residency-pathway/index.html.md): 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)
- [Washington foreign-trained dentist residency pathway](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/washington/residency-pathway/index.html.md): 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.
- [West Virginia foreign-trained dentist residency pathway](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license/west-virginia/residency-pathway/index.html.md): Advanced-standing-style CODA program required (2+ years), which functions as a residency route only if it is a 2-year advanced program: W.Va. CSR 5-1-3.

## Related

- [Foreign-trained dentist licensure by state](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-licensure/index.html.md)
- [Foreign dentist license without repeating dental school](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-license-without-repeating-dental-school/index.html.md)
- [Foreign-trained dentist advanced-standing pathway by state](https://dentovio.com/foreign-trained-dentist-advanced-standing/index.html.md)
- [Foreign-trained dentist licensure matcher](https://dentovio.com/tools/foreign-dentist-license-eligibility/index.html.md)
- [Dental licensure exams by state](https://dentovio.com/dental-licensure-exams/index.html.md)
- [Dental license by state](https://dentovio.com/dental-license-by-state/index.html.md)
- [Dental boards by state](https://dentovio.com/dental-boards/index.html.md)