USA · Exams · Licensing exams

INBDE (Integrated National Board Dental Examination)

The INBDE is the national written exam for a U.S. dental license, accepted in all states and territories. It takes two days (12 hours 30 minutes in all) at Prometric centers and is reported pass or fail. The exam fee is $890.

Length12 h 30 minTwo days within 7 days

ResultPass/failScale score 75 passes

Fee$890

Limit5 years / 5 tries

Test dates Fees and fee help Official practice Dentistry license steps

Made by Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations (JCNDE). Who: Dental students approved by their dean, and dental graduates. Checked on the owner's own pages, 21 Oct 2026.

Who takes it

Accepted in all U.S. states and territories as all or part of the written exam requirement; check your dental board for its other rules.
JCNDE
INBDEJoint Commission on National Dental Examinations
Checked
21 Oct 2026
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Students in CODA-accredited programs are eligible once their dean confirms it. Students and graduates of programs not accredited by CODA send a Certification of Eligibility signed by the dean or registrar.
JCNDE
INBDEJoint Commission on National Dental Examinations
Checked
21 Oct 2026
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Format and sections

All multiple choice: standalone items and case-based items. Total time 12 h 30 min including the optional tutorial, breaks and survey: Day 1 is 8 h 15 min and Day 2 is 4 h 15 min.
JCNDE
INBDE Candidate Guide (fees, schedule, scoring, retest rules; PDF)Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations (JCNDE)
Checked
21 Oct 2026
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Day 2 must fall within seven days of Day 1 at the same test center, or you retest at your own cost.
JCNDE
INBDE Candidate Guide (fees, schedule, scoring, retest rules; PDF)Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations (JCNDE)
Checked
21 Oct 2026
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Scoring

Reported as pass or fail. The minimum passing scale score is 75; candidates who fail get performance information for remediation.
JCNDE
INBDE Candidate Guide (fees, schedule, scoring, retest rules; PDF)Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations (JCNDE)
Checked
21 Oct 2026
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Retest rules: wait at least 60 days after a failed attempt; pass within five years of your first attempt or within five attempts, whichever comes first, then you may test once every six months. A passed INBDE cannot be retaken unless a board requires it.
JCNDE
INBDE Candidate Guide (fees, schedule, scoring, retest rules; PDF)Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations (JCNDE)
Checked
21 Oct 2026
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Fees and fee waivers

U.S. dollars:

JCNDE

INBDE Candidate Guide (fees, schedule, scoring, retest rules; PDF)Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations (JCNDE)

Checked: 21 Oct 2026

View source

Item	Fee
Exam fee (results to you, three licensing boards and your CODA program)	$890 JCNDE INBDE Candidate Guide (fees, schedule, scoring, retest rules; PDF)Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations (JCNDE) Checked 21 Oct 2026 View source
INBDE and DLOSCE bundle	$1,080 JCNDE INBDE Candidate Guide (fees, schedule, scoring, retest rules; PDF)Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations (JCNDE) Checked 21 Oct 2026 View source
Processing fee, programs not accredited by CODA	$435 JCNDE INBDE Candidate Guide (fees, schedule, scoring, retest rules; PDF)Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations (JCNDE) Checked 21 Oct 2026 View source
Extra results report	$55 each JCNDE INBDE Candidate Guide (fees, schedule, scoring, retest rules; PDF)Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations (JCNDE) Checked 21 Oct 2026 View source
Results audit	$105 JCNDE INBDE Candidate Guide (fees, schedule, scoring, retest rules; PDF)Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations (JCNDE) Checked 21 Oct 2026 View source
Eligibility extension	$150 JCNDE INBDE Candidate Guide (fees, schedule, scoring, retest rules; PDF)Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations (JCNDE) Checked 21 Oct 2026 View source
Reschedule 30 or more business days ahead	$50 JCNDE INBDEJoint Commission on National Dental Examinations Checked 21 Oct 2026 View source
Reschedule 5–29 business days ahead	$70 JCNDE INBDEJoint Commission on National Dental Examinations Checked 21 Oct 2026 View source
Reschedule 1–4 business days ahead	$150 JCNDE INBDEJoint Commission on National Dental Examinations Checked 21 Oct 2026 View source

Test dates

No national dates: after your eligibility email from the JCNDE, book with Prometric 60 to 90 days before the date you want. Not offered in Quebec.
JCNDE
INBDEJoint Commission on National Dental Examinations
Checked
21 Oct 2026
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Official practice

The JCNDE posts fact sheets and practice questions for the INBDE; Prometric's 30-minute Test Drive previews test day.
JCNDE
INBDE Candidate Guide (fees, schedule, scoring, retest rules; PDF)Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations (JCNDE)
Checked
21 Oct 2026
View source

Used by these careers and colleges

Careers on this site whose step-by-step roadmap includes this exam, and the license it leads to.

The license at the end of this route

Dentist licenseGranted by state dental boards. Education, exams, experience and state rules on one page

Careers that need it

Dentistry (Pre-Dental to D.D.S./D.M.D.)Career guide: degree, exams and license

Next on this site

Sources

Where these facts come from

Official and primary sources only, each checked on the date shown. Rules on testing, aid, licensing and immigration change, so confirm a detail with its source before you rely on it.

INBDE · Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations checked 2026-10-21
INBDE Candidate Guide (fees, schedule, scoring, retest rules; PDF) · Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations (JCNDE) checked 2026-10-21