Educational
Nearly all states require a D.D.S. or D.M.D. degree from a university-based dental education program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).
Written examination
All U.S. licensing jurisdictions require licensure candidates to pass the Integrated National Board Dental Examination (INBDE). The INBDE was developed in response to changes in educational curricula and instructional methods and launched August 1, 2020.
Learn more about the INBDE.
Clinical examination
Candidates for dental licensure in most U.S. licensing jurisdictions are subject to a clinical examination requirement. Most state boards of dentistry rely on regional testing agencies to administer a clinical examination.