To participate in the National Board Part I Dental Examinations, a candidate must qualify under one of the following categories:
Dental Student
A student is eligible for examination when the dean of the dental school or a designee of the dean certifies that the student has successfully completed all subjects included in Part I. If the dental school is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation at the time the application is filed, the signature of the dean or the designee on the application meets this requirement. Only dental schools in the United States and in Canada (by reciprocal agreement) are accredited by the Commission.
A dental student attending a non-accredited dental school can also be certified for examinations. However, the application is not signed by the dean. If the dental school is not accredited, certification must be on a form provided by the Joint Commission. The completed certification form must include the seal of the school and the signature of the dean or the registrar and must be submitted with the application.
Former Dental Student
A former dental student who has completed courses in preparation for Part I but is no longer enrolled in the same dental school is eligible for examination only if admitted or conditionally admitted to another accredited dental school. For the purpose of this paragraph, "conditionally admitted" is defined as admission contingent upon successful completion of Part I examinations.
Verification of admission or conditional admission from the accredited dental school must be submitted with the application. Verification must be in the form of a letter from the dean of the accredited dental school.
Dentist
A dentist who is an active, life or retired member of the American Dental Association is eligible for examination without documentation.
An affiliate member or a non-member must submit with the application verification that he or she is a dentist. Such verification must be in the form of a letter of recommendation from one of the following:
The secretary of a board of dentistry of a United States licensing jurisdiction in which the individual is licensed or eligible for licensure as a dentist.
The dean or registrar of an accredited dental school from which the dentist has graduated. Graduates of non-accredited dental schools must have evidence of graduation verified and submitted as described under Documentation on this page.
The dean, director or registrar of an accredited advanced dental education program in which the dentist studied or is studying at the postgraduate level.
The dean of a dental school that is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation to which the dentist is applying for admission with advanced standing. (This establishes eligibility for Part I only.)
The letter should state the name of the school that granted the D.D.S. or D.M.D. degree, the degree and when it was granted.
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