Our Program

Licensure is regulated by the states; therefore, we strongly recommend that you visit the licensing board's website of the state where you intend to be licensed. It is important that you be aware of all such requirements and that you plan accordingly.

• We strongly recommend that you contact the individual state dental licensing board listed below to determine any additional requirements for licensure. 
• Other requirements often include, but are not limited to, passing the National Board Dental Examinations (NBDE Parts I and II, or INBDE); additional post-graduation examinations or mandatory residency training; a clinical licensing examination administered by either a state or regional testing agency or the ADA’s dental licensing objective structured clinical examination (DLOSCE); jurisprudence examination; application and licensing fees; criminal background checks; reference checks; and sedation permits. 
• It is important to be aware of all requirements in the state you plan on practicing and plan accordingly.
  

• The ADA attempts to keep all maps current based on available information from state dental boards, clinical testing agencies and state dental associations. The ADA is aware that changes may be in process across the states, but only official documented changes are reflected on the maps.
• Individuals seeking information on dental licensure requirements are strongly urged to consult with the respective state board of dentistry in addition to using the maps below. Definitions and explanations of licensure pathways and abbreviations (e.g., ADEX, CIF exams, PGY1, OSCE) used on the map can be found on the Licensure for Dental Students page.

• Dentists must be licensed to practise dentistry in Canada. In most cases, certification is a prerequisite for licensure. The requirements for certification and licensure vary from province to province. This section provides a general overview of the process for obtaining certification and licensure as a Canadian dentist.

• As an independent testing agency that administers the ADEX dental and dental hygiene clinical licensure examinations, CDCA-WREB-CITA sets uniform standards for excellence in testing administration.
• A nationally accepted uniform examination meets the needs of candidates looking for initial licensure without limits, making licensure portable across jurisdictions throughout their careers. A national standard brings jurisdictions confidence in the performance abilities of incoming professionals. The ADEX Dental Examination series consists of computer simulations and clinical examinations performed on simulated patient manikins. There are five skill-specific components including a high-fidelity computerized OSCE. Candidates should contact the jurisdiction in which they wish to practice to confirm all requirements for licensure in that jurisdiction.