🇺🇸 USA Dental Licensing for International Dentists

Your Roadmap to Dentistry in the United States

  • Are you a BDS, DDS, DMD or other internationally educated dentist planning to practice in the United States?
  • The U.S. licensing pathway can involve multiple stages from credential evaluation and the Integrated National Board Dental Examination (INBDE) to advanced standing dental education and state-specific licensure requirements.
  • Use this guide to understand the pathway, identify your next step, and connect with expert preparation support.

🇺🇸 USA Dental Licensing at a Glance

DestinationUnited States 🇺🇸
Primary ExamINBDE
Application RouteADEA CAAPID
Typical Education RouteAdvanced Standing DDS/DMD
Clinical RequirementState-dependent
English RequirementOften required by programs
ForInternationally educated dentists
Pathway TypeEducation + Examination + State Licensure

Important: There is no single nationwide U.S. dental license. Dental licensure is regulated by individual states, so requirements can differ depending on where you intend to practice.