California

CODA Degree Required (Closed)

What training qualifies: A foreign-school graduate is NOT eligible until completing a minimum of 2 academic years at a Board-approved US dental college and being awarded a DMD/DDS. A CODA residency alone does not qualify. After the US degree: Licensure by ADEX or Licensure by Residency. Alternatively, if already holding an active unrestricted license in another US state, Licensure by Credential.
Exams: ADEX (Licensure by ADEX) or an approved residency (Licensure by Residency) — after earning a US DMD/DDS
Scope: Full general dentistry, but only after a 2-year US international-studies DDS/DMD program
Board notes: Dental Board of California (2026-05-14), per BPC §§ 1628, 1636.4, 1636.5 & CCR tit. 16 § 1024: "An applicant who was issued a dental diploma from a foreign dental school ... is not eligible for licensure until the applicant has successfully completed a minimum of two academic years of education at a dental college in the U.S. approved by the Board and has been issued a DMD or DDS degree." A standalone AEGD/GPR/specialty residency does not by itself qualify.
Confidence: verified · Dental Board of California (DentalBoard@dca.ca.gov), 2026-05-14 · last reviewed August 2026

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