Texas, the Lone Star State, is the second largest US state (area & population). There are several routes to obtaining a license to practice dentistry in Texas. The following paragraphs will summarize the general requirements, and more specifics as it relates to foreign trained dentists.
General Requirements
1. All applicants should be at least 21 years old, and of good moral character.
2. All applicants must submit the following:
a. A complete and notarized application for Texas license.
b. Application fee.
c. All supporting documents as indicated by the application.
d. Jurisprudence assessment for initial licensure certificate of completion.
Texas Jurisprudence Assessment for Initial Licensure:
This assessment tool is the only way you can meet the jurisprudence requirements for the Texas Board of Dental Examiners. It is an online assessment that you do not need to study in advance for as the information needed to answer the questions are available for you to review while taking the assessment. There is no time limit for this assessment and it has a "no fail" format, and you can take it online at your convenience.
Dental License for Foreign Trained Dentists:
Everything above (general requirements) apply in this section. To apply for licensure in Texas, you must present proof that you have:
1. Graduated from a dental school (foreign dental school), and
2. Completed specialty training in a program accredited by CODA, this specialty program should be of at least two years duration. Note that AEGD and GPR programs are not recognized as specialty programs so the do not qualify under this requirement.
If you meet these two requirements then you can request the board's approval to participate in any of the following clinical license exams WREB, CRDTS, NERB, and SRTA. After successful completion of any of these exams, you will need to submit all of the following:
1. Dental license aplication
2. Application fee.
3. Copies of document that show date of birth (birth certificate, passport, etc).
4. Certified or notarized copy of your diploma.
5. Proof of successful completion of NBDE parts I & II.
6. Proof of successful completion of an ADA-approved specialty program.
7. Proof of completion of a clinical license exam.
8. Verification of license in other state(s), if you have a dental license from another state.
9. Current CPR certification.
10. Jurisprudence examination.
What if you do not have the required specialty training or you do not want to do specialty training? You can still apply for Texas dental license by examination, but you have to qualify for that by obtaining a dental degree (DDS or DMD) from a CODA-accredited dental school. This is usually achieved by completing an 2-years international program or advanced standing.
Dental License by Examination:
Once you complete your accredited program (international program or advanced standing), obtain your degree, and successfully complete a clinical license exam, you can apply for a Texas dental license by submitting the following documentation:
1. Application for dental license.
2. Application fee.
3. Copies of document that show date of birth (birth certificate, passport, etc).
4. Certified or notarized copy of your diploma from the accredited school.
5. Proof of successful completion of NBDE parts I & II.
6. Proof of completion of a clinical license exam.
7. Verification of license in other state(s), if you have a dental license from another state.
8. Current CPR certification.
9. Jurisprudence examination.
10. Proof of social security number.
So, in a nutshell, a foreign trained dentist can become elilgible for a Texas dental license by either completing a CODA-approved specilaty training program, or obtaining a DDS or DMD degree from a CODA-approved dental school.
Resources:
Texas State Board of Dental Examiners.
General Requirements
1. All applicants should be at least 21 years old, and of good moral character.
2. All applicants must submit the following:
a. A complete and notarized application for Texas license.
b. Application fee.
c. All supporting documents as indicated by the application.
d. Jurisprudence assessment for initial licensure certificate of completion.
Texas Jurisprudence Assessment for Initial Licensure:
This assessment tool is the only way you can meet the jurisprudence requirements for the Texas Board of Dental Examiners. It is an online assessment that you do not need to study in advance for as the information needed to answer the questions are available for you to review while taking the assessment. There is no time limit for this assessment and it has a "no fail" format, and you can take it online at your convenience.
Dental License for Foreign Trained Dentists:
Everything above (general requirements) apply in this section. To apply for licensure in Texas, you must present proof that you have:
1. Graduated from a dental school (foreign dental school), and
2. Completed specialty training in a program accredited by CODA, this specialty program should be of at least two years duration. Note that AEGD and GPR programs are not recognized as specialty programs so the do not qualify under this requirement.
If you meet these two requirements then you can request the board's approval to participate in any of the following clinical license exams WREB, CRDTS, NERB, and SRTA. After successful completion of any of these exams, you will need to submit all of the following:
1. Dental license aplication
2. Application fee.
3. Copies of document that show date of birth (birth certificate, passport, etc).
4. Certified or notarized copy of your diploma.
5. Proof of successful completion of NBDE parts I & II.
6. Proof of successful completion of an ADA-approved specialty program.
7. Proof of completion of a clinical license exam.
8. Verification of license in other state(s), if you have a dental license from another state.
9. Current CPR certification.
10. Jurisprudence examination.
What if you do not have the required specialty training or you do not want to do specialty training? You can still apply for Texas dental license by examination, but you have to qualify for that by obtaining a dental degree (DDS or DMD) from a CODA-accredited dental school. This is usually achieved by completing an 2-years international program or advanced standing.
Dental License by Examination:
Once you complete your accredited program (international program or advanced standing), obtain your degree, and successfully complete a clinical license exam, you can apply for a Texas dental license by submitting the following documentation:
1. Application for dental license.
2. Application fee.
3. Copies of document that show date of birth (birth certificate, passport, etc).
4. Certified or notarized copy of your diploma from the accredited school.
5. Proof of successful completion of NBDE parts I & II.
6. Proof of completion of a clinical license exam.
7. Verification of license in other state(s), if you have a dental license from another state.
8. Current CPR certification.
9. Jurisprudence examination.
10. Proof of social security number.
So, in a nutshell, a foreign trained dentist can become elilgible for a Texas dental license by either completing a CODA-approved specilaty training program, or obtaining a DDS or DMD degree from a CODA-approved dental school.
Resources:
Texas State Board of Dental Examiners.
47 comments:
Dr. Kilani,
Thank you very much for the useful information. I am working in Dallas on H1B. My wife is an Orthodontist student in India and will be finishing MDS in April-09. I am still confused as what would be the best way for her to start practicing dentistry in Texas. Whats your suggestion?
Could you also please explain whats a speciality training program? Is it done in the US? If yes, where and how? How much that program would cost? What are the advantages/disadvantages of going through this route over obtaining a degree from a US school. I know asked a lot of questions but I really appreciate your help.
Thanks
Hello Ashish,
Texas regulations recognize a CODA specialty program only for licensure, which means it should be a US program. So for your wife she will need to enroll in a specialty program here in the US (ortho, etc) or enroll in a DDS or DMD program with advanced standing (2 years) to qualify to sit for the licensure exam. I hope this helps.
Dr. Kilani: I'm from Peru I just finished dental school on December 2008. Since I want to practice dentistry at USA I was looking for a good university there and the best way to get license. I was between the International program where i will have to pay about
180,000 for the two years and the advanced program where i think they pay you a samll amount of money and it's like working at the university. I didn't know until I read your blog that I can enroll in a speacialty program such as orthodontics I'm happy about that information because I will pay for something I will do anyway not something I have already studied. Do you know were can I get information about the universities that allow international students at their specialty programs?
Dr. Kilani,
I really appreciate you for all the valuable information that you are providing us through your blog. I have some more questions and I need your help to get the answers.
My fiance has finished her BDS in India and I understand that she has to finish a 2yr Advanced standing program - DDS to be able to practice dentistry in US.
Questions:
1)I wanted to know the approximate expenses involved for this 2 year program.
2) Just like Ashish, I am on a H1-B VISA and was wondering if some banks offer loans for non US-citizens or for people with out a green card residing in US.
3)Can you provide the list of schools in US/Texas that offer this 2 yr Advanced standing program.
Thank u indeed,
Sree
i want to know if all three of the dental schools in texas offer advanced standing courses for foreign trained dentists ? i surfed the sites and didnt understand mch , cud u pls let me know , thanks a lot
Can you post the list or links where we can find the list of the CODA accrediated speciality programs.
Thanks. We appreciate all your help.
Can someone post the list or links where we can find the list of the CODA accrediated speciality programs.
Thanks. We appreciate all your help.
Hello Fiorella,
Congratulations on your graduation, let me clarify a couple of things, both "international" programs, and "advanced standing" programs will cost you tons of money in tuition, none will pay you a salary or a stipend, there are very few differences between both, like for example, in an advanced standing program you enroll in the school and join the existing class starting 3rd year of DDS program.
Now you can apply for specialty programs, and advanced general dentistry programs, and depending on the program and the school, you may or may not get a salary.
To find out a comprehensive list of specialty programs I suggest using the list maintained by ADA:
http://ada.org/prof/ed/programs/search_advanced_us.asp
You have to contact the specific programs directly to see if they accept graduates of foreign dental schools.
Hello Sree,
Thanks for your nice comments, let me know if I can answer most of your questions;
Expenses for most advanced standing programs will range between $125,00 to $200,000 depending on what state the school is in, private vs. public, and then you have to factor in living expenses.
Yes, some banks offer student loans for non-citizens or non-residents, but mostly if you have a US co-signer, it can be difficult and expensive to get a loan without a credit-worthy US co-signer.
The two advanced standing programs in Texas that I know of are in The Univ. of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr - Houston Dental Branch & The Univ. of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr - San Antonio Dental School.
MA, the schools in Texas that offer advanced standing programs are The Univ. of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr - Houston Dental Branch & The Univ. of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr - San Antonio Dental School.
Hi Pooja,
Check this comprehensive listing maintained by ADA:
http://ada.org/prof/ed/programs/search_advanced_us.asp
Hello Dr. Kilani,
I'm graduating from a Canadian dental school in June and I want to come practice in Texas. I am a US citizen. I'm really confused on how to obtain my dental license there. Please help!!!
Hello Nilofar,
Congratulations on your graduation, obtaining your license should be a straight forward process, assuming your dental school is CODA accredited (most if not all Canadian schools are accredited as far as I know), what exam will you be taking? The Texas dental board accepts exam results from WREB, CRDTS, NERB, and SRTA. Once you complete one of those you can just proceed with the application process as I explained in my post. Did you already pass one of those clinical exams yet?
Dr. kilani,
i've just finished my MDS in orthodontics from India and have moved to Dallas as my husband is working here on H1B. I want to practice in Texas. If i don't take up 2 yr advanced standing DDS\DMD program and enroll myself in speciality program ( orthodontics) at Baylor, will i be able to practice dentistry here or otaining a DDS/DMD Degree is a must to practice in Texas. I would appreciate if u can provide me some useful information in this direction.
Thanks
ritu, a 2-yr specialty program is enough to apply for a Texas dental license.
Hello Dr. Kilani,
I have not taken a clinical exam yet. I don't know which one I should take. Also, I heard you have to find your own patients for those exams and I really don't know how to search for patients that will meet the requirements. Is there an agency or something of that sort that you can go through to find patients for those exams? Thank you so much for your help.
Dr. Kilani, do i understand you correctly in saying that its possible for someone with a foreign orthodontic degree to go directly into a orthodontic program in the US without the 2 year DDS or DMD?
Nilofar,
You want to read about all those exams that available to you and pick the one that you think is right for you, my experience with WREB was a good one, but no matter what exam you select, the phase of preparing for the exam, finding patients, etc will always be stressful. If you have access to a dental office through a dentist friend or relative, etc you can start screening patients to find cases that are suitable for the exam. I know of some agencies that help you find patients, they are expensive, and their patient selection may not be always guaranteed, but I've seen people use them successfully. Try to search google for "Patient Finding Services" or "WREB"/ it's a place somewhere in California I believe.
Charles,
Yes & no, it depends on the specialty program you are applying to, some will only consider applications from US graduates, and other may be more open for foreign degree holders.
Dr. KIlani, thank you for your quick response. Let me be more specific. Any orthodontic programs that you are aware of that do not require the 2 year general dentistry in a US school?
Charles,
I know very little about orthodontic programs, your best source will be to contact the programs directly to get that information, you can find a list of all ortho programs in teh US here:
http://ada.org/prof/ed/programs/search_advanced_us.asp
Dr. Kilani,
I finished my BDS degree in India and am looking for options in the US...I dont know anyone who can cosign a loan for me..do you know of any bank or company that offers loans to internationally trained dentists without a US citizen as a cosigner?
It'll be great help if you do..
Thankyou!
I am a venezuelan dentist with master in buccal medicine inthe central university of venezuela, what i have to do to practic higienyst dentist almost i enter in the university to study the two years suplemetary studies
I follow your blog for a long time and must tell you that your posts always prove to be of a high value and quality for readers.
Surrey Dental
Dr. Kilani,
My fiance has a BDS degree from India and has been practicing for several years now. I am on a H1B and I would like her to go to a less expensive education program like a Dental Hygienist. Is there a way, her BDS course work can be applied toward dental hygienist program, so that she can reduce the program term? I am in AZ and I believe few of the Community Colleges have Dental Hygienist program here. I was wondering if you have run across people with Indian BDS pursuing Dental Hygienist as an option?
Thanks for your time and response.
Prem
Tanvi, as far as I know, it's extremely difficult to obtain a loan without a credit worthy US co-signer. Why don't you try to find financing from India?
Dr.Kilani,
thanks alot for providing all of us with such useful information.I completed my BDS from india.i have few queries and i will be highly grateful if you can help me out.
1)whats the difference between advanced standing program and specialty program?
2)i am interested in ortho,so what all programs i have to join to practice ortho in US?
3)what will be the total expenditure?
thanks
Prem, I've seen foreign trained dentists who pursued RDH education but none had the benefit of a reduced program, you are most likely looking at 2-3 years depending on the exact program you are looking at, your best bet is to contact schools directly.
rohit,
1) An advanced standing program grants you a basic dental degree like a DDS or DMD, a specialty program trains you in a specific specialty like ortho or perio, etc
2)If you are interested in ortho then you should look at ortho programs.
3) expenses are highly variable between states and between school
Thank you for your reply Dr. Kilani! you're great help..
Dr.kilani,
I have done B.D.S from India.Is there any option to enroll directly in specialisation program without doing D.D.S ?
I have overall good stats.Are there any universities which offer direct specialisation program to foreign graduates?
Thanks
Thanks
Dr. Bhide, I didn't do the research on some post-grad programs, including perio, I suggest that you start looking at the ADA database of specialty programs, go to http://ada.org/prof/ed/programs/search_advanced_us.asp and select "Periodontics" and you will see a detailed list of all perio programs.
thank u :)
Dr.Kilani,
I'll be completng my B.D.S degree from India in June.Are there any universities which provide for externship programs for foeign trained dentists?
Thank you for this article, but am still confuse on the path i should take. Am a nigerian trained dentist and just completed residency in oral & maxillofacial surgery (FMCDS). Am relocating next year with the family to houston-texas. So i really needs your advice on the best route to obtain the texas dental license.
Dr.Adeolu.
Dr. Kilani,
You are doing a great job guiding people with lots of question.
After reading all the above post am i right in concluding that those with a BDS or even and MDS from India or for that matter any country need below to practice
Invest loads of money around $150,000 and 2 precious years (doing almost a repeated course) to-just get a licence to practice dentistry in US ?
or Is there a way out ?
Regards
harnet, there are a few here and there, check out the programs offered by UCLA
Prethmaksh,
you are partly correct, there may be a few alternate routes though, look into post doctoral programs or general dentistry residencies, they are usually less costly, but then again, not all states will accept those for license, each individual state is different.
Dear Dr. Kilani,
Your blogs are so helpful and with loads of information for all foreign trained dentists. Thanks a lot for this valuable information.
I wanted to ask you a question. I have my BDS from India. In USA, I got accepted in an Oral Medicine program, which is for 2 years. From your blogs, I understood that after I complete this program I am eligible to take WREB exam and practice in Texas, Right? I wanted to ask you, apart from Texas, which other states accept my 2 years of study and in which states I can take the state licensing board exam and will be able to practice?
I really appreciate if you could clarify my query.
Thanks.
Hi,
I'm certified dentist from India and now applying for some of the graduate programs in Texas. I would like to know more about the scholarships or any financial aids for students like me. My husband is staying in Texas from last 3 years. Can I qualify as a texas resident?
thanks.
Dr.Kilani,
I have been accepted to a DDS program in New York and unfortunately do not have a US based cosigner for the first year. I tried for loans in India, but none of the banks provide any loans more than Rs.20,00,000. Moreover, the interest rates here are a very high. Do you have any suggestions?
hi.Dr. my wife is 49 yrs. old and is a licensed dentist from the Philippines, and I just need to know, her chances of acquiring a license here in the US. And, if there is, what is the best way for her to achieve this.
I'd appreciate it very much if you can tell me, what's the best for her to do, as she is very determined in pursuing her profession here in the United States.
Thank you very much.
Eddie
i am currently practicing in india i wanted to know if the AEGD international postgraduate training program in ucla will help me to practice in any of the states in usa?
hi,
im doing bds from pakistan.. im final year student. i want to start practice in U.S after completing my graduation. what are the requirements to start practice in U.S??
Hi Dr Kilani,
Thanks a lot for all the useful information you have shared through your blogs. I need some clarification regarding the license requirements by state of Connecticut. We need minimum 2 years of postgrad education PLUS at least 2 years of CODA recognized residency/fellowship at a level higher than the second year of post grad. Does it mean I need total of 4 years of postgraduate education which means two separate programs?
Kindly elaborate
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