THE ADA PRACTICAL GUIDE FOR INTERNATIONAL DENTISTS U.S. DENTAL LICENSURE AND TESTING REQUIREMENTS. 3 Steps to Dental Licensure in the United States Though requirements vary from state to state, all applicants for licensure must meet three basic requirements as determined by the state: • Education: graduation from a dental education program in the U.S. or Canada accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) • Written examination: the National Board Dental Examinations (NBDE) Parts I and II • Clinical examination: administered by a state or regional clinical testing agency The following is a brief summary of the steps involved for licensure for dentists who have not graduated from a CODA-accredited dental education program: 1. Determine the state(s) where you wish to obtain a license and visit this website for a list of state board(s) of dentistry and to review state licensure regulations for international dentists and obtain specific licensure requirements. Most state dental board websites have online licensure applications for reference. Email or call the state dental board directly for answers . to questions about the state’s specific licensure requirements. 2. Apply to take the NBDE Part I administered by the ADA Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations (JCNDE). Passing NBDE Part I is a requirement for acceptance into a dental education program, as well as for state licensure. Some dental education programs may also require successful completion of NBDE Part II. • As part of the application process for the NBDE, you will be required to have your credentials evaluated by the Educational Credentials Evaluators (ECE) to determine your eligibility for the examinations. Contact the ECE at www.ece.org or 414.289.3400 or the ADA at this website or 1.800.232.1694 for more information. • Obtain a Dental Personal Identification Number (DENTPIN). The DENTPIN is a unique personal identifier for professionals and students involved with the U.S. dental education system and standardized testing programs. The name on your identification card(s) (IDs) must match exactly with the name in your DENTPIN record. If the name in your DENTPIN record and the name on your IDs do not match exactly, you will be denied admission to testing and will forfeit your testing appointment and fee. You will be required to submit a new application and fee. . For more information on DENTPIN, click here.