Generally speaking, a foreign trained dentist, or for that matter anybody else, can obtain a license to practice dentistry in California by successfully completing one of the following scenarios:

1. California Board Clinical Examination: for all persons who are graduates of schools accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation. Although this examination is referred to as the “Clinical” examination, it does have both written and clinical components which will test you on the following subjects: Endodontics, Removable Prosthodontics Evaluation, Periodontics, Class II Amalgam Restoration, Class III or IV Composite Resin Restoration, Simulated Fixed Prosthetics, California Laws and Ethics. Specific information about the clinical examination can be found in the handbook. Total fee for the examination is $601, and re-examination fee $525. 

2. Application for license after successful completion of the WREB examination (after January 1, 2005): this is what most applicants seek these days, since passing the WREB examination meets the clinical examination requirement of license in many more States while the California Board examination is only for license in California. In addition to passing the WREB examination, the board also requires satisfactory evidence of having graduated from a dental school approved by the board, having passed parts I and II of the NBDE. Other requirements and conditions also apply, more information can be found here.

3. Application for license by Credential: This would only apply to dentists with a “clear and valid” dental license in another US

 state.

4. Application for license by Residency: This is one of the new and exciting options to obtain dental license. On February 1, 2008 the Office of Administrative Law approved the Board’s Emergency regulations implementing SB 683, qualification for dental license on the basis ofcompletion of a minimum of 12 months of a general practice residency or advanced education in general dentistry program approved by theADA

’s Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). This is in lieu of having to sit for the California Clinical examination or the WREB examination. You should be a graduate of an ADA or board approved dental program, completed a CODA-approved GPR or AEGD, passed parts I & II of the NBDE, not failed the WREB clinical examination within the last five years, other conditions and requirements must be met also, more information can be found here.