The ADEX Dental Examination series consists of both computer simulations and clinical examinations performed on simulated patient manikins. All candidates will challenge five hand-skill components and the ADA’s Dental Licensure OSCE (DLOSCE).
Dental Exam Formats
The ADEX Dental Examination is given in two formats: the Curriculum Integrated Format (CIF) and in the Traditional Format. The CIF Format can only be taken by students about to enter their senior year of dental school or graduate students at a school hosting the CIF Format examination. The Traditional Format is for those students who elect not to take the CIF Format and for those who have already graduated from dental school. Only students or graduates of schools accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) or the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada (CDAC) may take the ADEX Dental Examination. All other candidates (including international graduates) must apply through the state dental board in the state or jurisdiction where they wish to practice for permission to take an examination for licensure only in that state or jurisdiction.
Dental Resources: Manuals, Criteria Sheets & Forms
Detailed information regarding examination content, scoring and processes can be found in the Candidate Manual as well as the Criteria Sheet for each procedure.
Examination Fees – ADEX Dental Series
Full Examination Fee: $2,995* plus Facility Fee (varies by Clinical location)
Includes clinical Periodontal, Endodontic, Prosthodontic, Anterior Restorative, Posterior Restorative, and computer-based DLOSCE
*Includes one complimentary retake per clinical examination procedure. The candidate is responsible for the Typodont Fee ($150) per procedure and any applicable Facility Fee (varies by location).
**Effective August 1, 2026, the Periodontal Examination will be a required component of the ADEX Dental Examination Series.
Clinical Retake Fees:
• Second Attempt: No clinical examination fee; Candidate responsible for Typodont Fee ($150) per procedure; and any applicable Facility Fee (varies by location).
• Third Attempt: Prosth, Endo and/or Perio $1,495; Anterior Restorative, Posterior Restorative $1,495; and any applicable Facility Fee (varies by location).
Computer-based DLOSCE Retake Fee: $695
Extended Registration & Transfer Fee
Request submitted after Clinical Registration Deadline = $345 Extended Registration & Transfer Fee
Refund Requests via Contact Us:
Once any component of the examination series has been attempted (clinical or computer-based), a refund will not be issued for any remaining untaken examination components.
• Withdrawal prior to Clinical Registration Deadline = Full Refund
• Withdrawal after Clinical Registration Deadline** = Refund minus $345 Extended Registration & Transfer Fee (only if no examination component has been attempted)
• “No Show” status = Refer to Candidate Guide (policies)
• Completed component/examination series = Not Applicable/No Refund
**Registration credit use/refund must be completed within two years of the original payment date, minus any applicable administrative fees. Registration credits are not valid for use or refund beyond the expiry date (2 years from the initial payment date).
Dental Clinical Exam Calendar
The American Board of Dental Examiners administers examinations for initial licensure across all fields of dentistry. The following calendar displays real-time exam availability. Note that some locations may close registration early due to capacity or restrict eligibility to students of record of that school/program. Click the information “ℹ” icon to view the location status.
• Outside Candidates: YES = Registration open to both non-students and students.
• Outside Candidates: NO = Registration limited to only students of record of the school/program where the exam is hosted.
Refer to the Candidate Guide, Candidate Manual and FAQs for eligibility requirements, exam registration, clinical scheduling requests, administrative policies, and more. See Examination Fees pane for late registration, transfer, withdrawal, and more.
Login or Create an Account to access the “Register for an Exam” button of your online profile and view those exams for which you are eligible or authorized.
How do I Register for this Exam?
Please review the exam registration process on how to create a profile and register for this exam.