INBDE

Overview

The Integrated National Board Dental Examination (INBDE) is the national written examination for dentists in the United States. It is overseen by the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations (JCNDE), an agency of the American Dental Association, and run by the ADA's Department of Testing Services. Prometric delivers it at its test centers in the United States and Canada.

The exam checks whether a candidate has the knowledge and problem-solving ability needed to practise general dentistry safely at entry level. It blends biomedical, clinical and behavioural science rather than testing them as separate subjects. Per the 2026 guide, all US licensing jurisdictions recognise it, including the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam and the US Virgin Islands.

Who can apply

You need a DENTPIN (Dental Personal Identification Number) from the ADA before you can apply. After that, eligibility depends on your training.

• Current student at a CODA-accredited programme: eligible once the dean or the dean's designee confirms you are prepared in all applicable disciplines.

• Former student of a CODA-accredited programme: eligible only if you have been admitted, or conditionally admitted, to another CODA-accredited programme. A letter from that programme's dean is required.

• Dentist who graduated from a CODA-accredited programme: an active, life or retired ADA member can apply without extra documents. An affiliate member or non-member must submit a copy of the diploma or other proof of the degree.

• Programmes not accredited by CODA: all candidates must have their degree verified by Educational Credential Evaluators Inc. (ECE). Current students also need their programme to complete a Certification of Eligibility Form carrying the university seal and the signature of the dean or registrar.

Graduates and students of programmes accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada are treated like CODA candidates when they seek US licensure.

Exam pattern

The exam is computer-based and every item is multiple choice with one best answer. Each item has between three and five options. Some items are stand-alone questions; others are tied to a patient case that may include a patient box (the information available to the dentist at the visit) and dental charts. Some items are unscored trial questions that look the same as scored ones.

The exam is taken over two days at the same test center, and the second day must fall within seven days of the first.

These totals include an optional tutorial, scheduled breaks and an optional post-exam survey. Testing sections run for 105 minutes each. The timer pauses while an item loads on screen.

Syllabus

Content comes from the JCNDE's Domain of Dentistry, which has 56 clinical content areas and 10 foundation knowledge areas.

Clinical content is grouped in three sections.

• Diagnosis and Treatment Planning: about 36% of items. This covers gathering patient information, examination, diagnosis, prognosis and treatment planning, and talking through options with patients.

• Oral Health Management: about 42% of items. This covers emergencies, pain, caries, periodontal, pulpal and mucosal disease, drugs, restorative, prosthetic and surgical care, occlusion and outcomes.

• Practice and Profession: about 22% of items. This covers ethics and law, records, infection control, practice management, managing the dental team, prevention, community health and use of research evidence.

Foundation knowledge areas are weighted across the exam as follows.

Percentages are rounded by the JCNDE, so they may not add up exactly.

Marking and results

The exam is criterion-referenced. Experts set the passing standard, and results are reported only as pass or fail. A candidate who fails also receives the overall scale score and performance feedback on the three clinical content sections and the ten foundation knowledge areas.

Scale scores run from 49 to 99, and 75 is the minimum passing score. A scale score is not a count of correct answers. Different exam forms are placed on a common scale, so a score means the same whatever form you sat. There is no penalty for guessing.

The JCNDE aims to report results within four weeks of the exam date, and in most cases within three weeks. You view them by signing in to your DENTPIN account. You may request a results audit within 30 days of the reporting date; it takes about four to six weeks.

Important dates

The guide does not publish fixed exam dates. You book your own appointment at a Prometric test center. Once your application is processed you are eligible to test for six months, unless retest rules shorten that window. Eligibility can be extended once per application by 45 days.

Fees

All fees are in US dollars, non-refundable and non-transferable. These are the fees in the 2026 Candidate Guide.

The exam fee covers a results report to you, three licensing jurisdictions named at the time of application, and your CODA-accredited dental programme.

Rescheduling with Prometric costs more the closer you are to the appointment.

If you do not show up, or arrive more than 30 minutes late and are refused entry, the full fee is forfeited.

How to apply

1. Register for a DENTPIN, or retrieve your existing one, on the ADA website.

2. Read the INBDE Candidate Guide, then submit an application and pay on the JCNDE website. A new application and fee are needed for each attempt.

3. Wait for the eligibility email from the Department of Testing Services. Applications are processed on weekdays during US business hours.

4. Schedule your two testing days with Prometric.

5. At the test center, bring two valid original IDs, one primary government photo ID and one secondary ID with your name and signature. The name must match your application exactly or you will be refused entry and lose the fees.

Request name or other record corrections at least ten business days before your test date. Candidates with a documented disability or medical condition can request testing accommodations with each application.

After the exam

Passing candidates can buy a National Board certificate through their DENTPIN account, and results can be sent to licensing boards through results report requests. Passed candidates may not retake the exam unless a dental board or regulator requires it.

Retake rules for candidates who do not pass:

• A new application and fee are needed for every attempt.

• You must wait at least 60 days between unsuccessful attempts, with a maximum of four attempts in any one year.

• Under the 5 Years/5 Attempts rule, you must pass within five years of your first attempt or five attempts, whichever comes first. After that you can test once every six months.

• Earlier attempts on NBDE Part I or Part II are shown on your report, but they do not count toward the INBDE attempt limits.

Preparation tips

• The JCNDE recommends textbooks and lecture notes as the main study sources, and does not endorse any commercial review course.

• Download the practice questions and the Foundation Knowledge for the General Dentist document from the JCNDE preparation page. Use the questions to learn the formats, not as your only study material, since they may be out of date.

• Practise reading the patient box and dental charts carefully, and note that unlisted information means unknown or not available.

• Prometric offers a paid 30-minute Test Drive that previews check-in and the testing process.

• Do not share or post exam questions; this is treated as misconduct.

FAQs