Foreign-trained dentist licensing in the US
Earning a dental degree outside the US doesn't disqualify you from practicing here — but almost no state will license you on that degree alone. Here's the path internationally trained dentists generally follow, and where it varies by state.
The core rule: US accreditation first
Nearly every state dental board requires a degree from a program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) before it will issue a dentist license — a foreign dental degree on its own doesn't meet that bar in most states. The standard route is a CODA-accredited "advanced standing" (sometimes called "international dentist") program: typically a two-year track built for dentists who already hold a degree and clinical experience abroad, ending in a US DDS or DMD. A handful of states have narrower alternate pathways for internationally trained dentists, but they're the exception — confirm the current rule with the specific state board you're targeting below.
Before you apply: credential evaluation
Advanced standing programs require your foreign dental transcript and degree to be verified first, usually through a credential evaluation service recognized by US dental schools. Programs also typically require English proficiency scores, letters of recommendation, and — for many participating programs — an application processed through CAAPID, a centralized application service for internationally trained dentists run by the American Dental Education Association. Seats are limited and competitive; most applicants apply to several programs at once.
Exams and state licensure, once you have a US degree
Once you hold a CODA-accredited degree, the licensing path is the same as it is for any other dental graduate: pass the INBDE (or legacy NBDE), pass a clinical or regional board exam accepted by your target state — such as ADEX, CDCA, CRDTS, WREB, or SRTA — and then apply directly to that state's dental board. See our license requirements guide for how that process works in detail.
Because advanced standing programs run about two years and admission is competitive, the realistic timeline from applying to full licensure often runs three to five years or more — plan around program application cycles, not just exam dates.
Foreign-Trained Dentist Questions
Can a dentist trained outside the US get licensed to practice here? +
Yes, but almost never on the foreign degree alone. Nearly every state requires graduating from a program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), which for internationally trained dentists usually means completing a CODA-accredited advanced-standing (or "international dentist") program before sitting for licensing exams.
Do I need to redo dental school if I trained abroad? +
In most states, some version of it, yes. Advanced-standing programs are shorter than a full DDS or DMD — commonly around two years — because they build on your existing education and clinical experience, but they're still a CODA-accredited US program, not a waiver of one.
How long does it take an internationally trained dentist to get licensed in the US? +
Plan for several years, not months. Credential evaluation and program applications alone can take a year or more given limited, competitive seats; the advanced-standing program itself typically runs about two years; then the same INBDE, clinical exam, and state application steps apply as they would for any other graduate.
Is there a state that licenses foreign-trained dentists without a US program? +
A small number of states have explored narrower alternate pathways for internationally trained dentists, but the rules shift and most states still require a CODA-accredited US degree. Don't assume an exception applies to you — confirm directly with the specific state board you're targeting.
Can I work in dentistry while completing my US licensure path? +
Some internationally trained dentists work in adjacent roles — such as a dental assistant, or in some states, after completing that profession's own separate accredited program and exam, a dental hygienist — while working through the dentist licensure path. These are separate credentials in their own right, not a shortcut to a dental license.
What is CAAPID? +
CAAPID (the Centralized Application for Advanced Placement for International Dentists) is a centralized application service, run by the American Dental Education Association, that many advanced-standing dental programs use to process applications from internationally trained dentists — similar in concept to a common application, though it only covers participating schools.