Registration for the INBDE involves several steps, especially for international dentists. Plan for 4–12 weeks from starting the process to scheduling your exam date.
DENTPIN is your unique identification number for dental licensing. If you don't have one, apply at dentpin.ada.org. It's free and takes 1–2 business days. You'll use this number for all dental licensing applications in the US.
If you graduated from a dental school outside the US, you need an ECE (Educational Credential Evaluation) from a JCNDE-approved organization. The most common is International Credential Evaluation Associates (ICEA). Submit your official transcripts and diploma for evaluation. This step takes 4–8 weeks.
Start the ECE process as early as possible — it's the longest step in the process and the most common reason for delays.
Once you have your DENTPIN and ECE results, apply for the INBDE through the JCNDE website (jcnde.ada.org). You'll need to pay the exam fee and upload supporting documents. Processing takes approximately 2–4 weeks.
After JCNDE approves your application, you'll receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) from Prometric. Use this to schedule your exam dates online at prometric.com. Exam centers are available throughout the US — choose the location and dates that work for you.