Dental Therapy

The Dental Therapy Exam is designed to test clinical competencies consistent with the Dental Therapist’s Scope of Practice. The exam is divided into three parts: a manikin-based endodontic exam, a pediatric restorative exam, and a didactic (computer-based) examination, also called an OSCE (objective structured clinical examination). These exams are specific to the skill sets of Dental Therapists.

Only students or graduates of schools accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) or the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada may take the CDCA-WREB-CITA examinations. 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 Therapy OSCE

The Dental Therapy OSCE (DT OSCE) is a 100-question multiple-choice computerized examination delivered at Prometric Test Centers. The test is approximately 2.5 hours in length, including an introduction, tutorial, and final survey. The actual examination time is 1 hour and 55 minutes. Candidates may skip or mark items to be considered later. Once the examination is completed, however, the candidate will not be able to return to those questions. The time indicated on the computer screen is the amount of time for that subsection. There is no specific time limit for each item.

To view the exam scoring requirements please click here.

Examination Fees – Dental Therapy Series

Full Examination Fee:

Dental Therapy Examination Series (Clinical and computer-based) includes Amalgam Restoration, Pediatric Endodontic, Stainless Steel Crowns, Restorative and DT OSCE sections $2,595 plus Facility Fee (varies by Clinical location)

*Includes one complimentary retake per clinical examination procedure. Candidate responsible for Typodont Fee ($150) per procedure and any applicable Facility Fee (varies by location).

Clinical Individual/Retake Fees:
Pediatric Endodontic, Amalgam Restoration, and/or Stainless Steel Crowns $925
Restorative – Anterior and/or Posterior $1,295

Computer-Based Dental Therapy OSCE Fees:
Individual $775
Retake $400

Extended Registration & Transfer Fee
Request submitted after Clinical Registration Deadline = $145 Extended Registration & Transfer Fee

Dental Therapy Exam Calendar

CDCA-WREB-CITA administers examinations for initial licensure across all fields of dentistry. Listings here are for reference only and do not reflect current exam status of any clinical location. Some locations may close in advance of the Registration Deadline or limit registration to students-only of their school/program. Locations indicating “Outside Candidates Accepted” also allow registration of candidates who are not current students of the exam site school/program.

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 (right side of screen) 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 current clinical availability for those exams for which you are eligible or authorized.

About the Dental Therapy Examination

The first-of-its-kind licensure examination for Dental Therapists, the Dental Therapy Examination delivered by CDCA-WREB-CITA, is based on sound principles of testing and measurement. To learn more about the skills tested, methodologies, and the development process, watch this video. Contact us to learn more.