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Full License via ResidencyVERIFIED · May 2026

Virginia Dental Licensure
for International Dentists

How an international dentist (IDG) gets licensed to practice in Virginia without a US DDS or DMD — sourced from a direct reply from the Virginia dental board.

Pathway
Full License via Residency
Scope of practice
Full general dentistry (unrestricted)
Exams required
INBDE + ADEX / WREB / CITA clinical exam
What qualifies you

Per 18VAC60-21-200: a 12-month post-doctoral advanced general dentistry program (AEGD/GPR) OR a 24-month post-doctoral specialty program with a clinical component qualifies for unrestricted licensure.

What the Virginia board actually said

VBOD (May 2026) quoted 18VAC60-21-200: "An applicant for unrestricted dental licensure shall be a graduate of and a holder of a diploma or a certificate from a dental program accredited by [CODA/CDAC], which consists of either a pre-doctoral dental education program OR at least a 12-month post-doctoral advanced general dentistry program OR a post-doctoral dental program of at least 24 months in any other specialty that includes a clinical component." Board cannot pre-approve — application is the deciding step.

Source: Virginia Board of Dentistry (denbd@dhp.virginia.gov), 2026-05-13

Residencies that unlock licensure in Virginia

These are the post-graduate training programs the Virginia board accepts as the educational requirement for IDGs:

1-yr AEGD
Full general dentistry — unrestricted
2-yr AEGD
Full general dentistry — unrestricted
1-yr GPR
Full general dentistry — unrestricted
2-yr GPR
Full general dentistry — unrestricted
Ortho
Full general dentistry — unrestricted
↳ Specialty residency must be ≥ 24 months WITH a clinical component (per 18VAC60-21-200). Primarily didactic programs (e.g. DPH, OMP) may not satisfy the "clinical component" test — confirm with the board.
Perio
Full general dentistry — unrestricted
↳ Specialty residency must be ≥ 24 months WITH a clinical component (per 18VAC60-21-200). Primarily didactic programs (e.g. DPH, OMP) may not satisfy the "clinical component" test — confirm with the board.
Endo
Full general dentistry — unrestricted
↳ Specialty residency must be ≥ 24 months WITH a clinical component (per 18VAC60-21-200). Primarily didactic programs (e.g. DPH, OMP) may not satisfy the "clinical component" test — confirm with the board.
Prostho
Full general dentistry — unrestricted
↳ Specialty residency must be ≥ 24 months WITH a clinical component (per 18VAC60-21-200). Primarily didactic programs (e.g. DPH, OMP) may not satisfy the "clinical component" test — confirm with the board.
Pedo
Full general dentistry — unrestricted
↳ Specialty residency must be ≥ 24 months WITH a clinical component (per 18VAC60-21-200). Primarily didactic programs (e.g. DPH, OMP) may not satisfy the "clinical component" test — confirm with the board.
OMFS
Full general dentistry — unrestricted
↳ Specialty residency must be ≥ 24 months WITH a clinical component (per 18VAC60-21-200). Primarily didactic programs (e.g. DPH, OMP) may not satisfy the "clinical component" test — confirm with the board.
OMR
Full general dentistry — unrestricted
↳ Specialty residency must be ≥ 24 months WITH a clinical component (per 18VAC60-21-200). Primarily didactic programs (e.g. DPH, OMP) may not satisfy the "clinical component" test — confirm with the board.
OMP
Full general dentistry — unrestricted
↳ Specialty residency must be ≥ 24 months WITH a clinical component (per 18VAC60-21-200). Primarily didactic programs (e.g. DPH, OMP) may not satisfy the "clinical component" test — confirm with the board.
Oral Med
Full general dentistry — unrestricted
↳ Specialty residency must be ≥ 24 months WITH a clinical component (per 18VAC60-21-200). Primarily didactic programs (e.g. DPH, OMP) may not satisfy the "clinical component" test — confirm with the board.
OFP
Full general dentistry — unrestricted
↳ Specialty residency must be ≥ 24 months WITH a clinical component (per 18VAC60-21-200). Primarily didactic programs (e.g. DPH, OMP) may not satisfy the "clinical component" test — confirm with the board.
DPH
Full general dentistry — unrestricted
↳ Specialty residency must be ≥ 24 months WITH a clinical component (per 18VAC60-21-200). Primarily didactic programs (e.g. DPH, OMP) may not satisfy the "clinical component" test — confirm with the board.
Anesth
Full general dentistry — unrestricted
↳ Specialty residency must be ≥ 24 months WITH a clinical component (per 18VAC60-21-200). Primarily didactic programs (e.g. DPH, OMP) may not satisfy the "clinical component" test — confirm with the board.
This page was compiled from a direct email exchange with the Virginia dental board between May 2026. The board's exact reply is quoted above. Rules change — always reconfirm with the board before applying. See all 50 states →

Find Virginia-eligible residency programs that match your profile

Run your INBDE score, visa status, and clinical experience through our matcher — see only the Virginia-route programs you actually qualify for.

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Other states with this pathway
Louisiana →New York →Ohio →Washington →Connecticut →

Compiled from direct email correspondence with the Virginia dental board (May 2026 cycle). Always confirm current requirements with the board before submitting an application.