Mission
The American Board of Dental Examiners qualifies dental competency readiness in the pursuit of public health, safety and welfare by serving the needs of North American regulatory boards.
Vision
It is the vision of the American Board of Dental Examiners to be the nationwide resource in the development, innovation, and administration of competency assessments for the oral health professions. To do this, we are: Committed to designing and administering assessments based on sound principles of testing and measurement. Pledged to excellence, integrity, and fairness. Committed to a national, uniform examination process dedicated to the protection of the public through cooperation with state dental boards and educational institutions.
Supporting State Boards
Service as an examiner with the American Board of Dental Examiners is an extension of a state board’s regulatory responsibility. Our downloadable handout outlines how examiners are selected, trained, and calibrated, and how their work supports examination integrity and board oversight.
Our Structure
The American Board of Dental Examiners (ADEX) administers a comprehensive suite of clinical examinations used by dental boards across the United States and internationally. Examinations are continuously reviewed and refined by the Council on Examinations to ensure relevance, fairness, and clinical accuracy. Every state & territory is represented on the ADEX Council.
The ADEX Council on Examinations develops, reviews, and, when necessary and appropriate, revises the content, scoring, and criteria of the clinical dental and dental hygiene examinations for initial licensure for dentistry and dental hygiene. While the Council is comprised of examiners, its members are appointed by their state regulatory board.
The American Board of Dental Examiners is committed to quality and ensuring that all exams we deliver are both professionally sound and operationally reliable.
ADEX Exam Portability Maps
Dental Examinations
Please be sure to click each state for specific guidance regarding Periodontal Scaling requirements and additional details.
It is the candidate’s responsibility to understand the licensing requirements, including any remediation requirements, for practicing dentistry in the state where they seek licensure. The American Board of Dental Examiners is not responsible for providing this information.
Last Updated 3/6/2026 Maps are updated with information as confirmed with each Jurisdiction. Jurisdictions not accepting the ADEX Dental Examination for initial licensure are depicted in grey and include Delaware, and New York.
Dental Hygiene Examinations
Please be sure to click each state for specific guidance regarding limitations and additional details.
It is the candidate’s responsibility to understand the licensing requirements, including any remediation requirements, for practicing dentistry in the state where they seek licensure. The American Board of Dental Examiners is not responsible for providing this information.
Last Updated 3/6/2026 Maps are updated with information as confirmed with each Jurisdiction. Jurisdictions not accepting the ADEX Dental Hygiene Examination for initial licensure are depicted in grey and include Delaware and Nebraska.
Examiners
Dental and Dental Hygiene professionals act as examiners in the delivery and grading of assessments nationwide.
State dental board members play a critical role by participating in the examination administration process. Service as an examiner with the American Board of Dental Examiners is an extension of regulatory responsibility according to many state board statutes.
Educators can also apply to become examiners. Click the button below to learn more.
