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CODA Degree Required (Closed)VERIFIED · May 2026

Hawaii Dental Licensure
for International Dentists

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

Pathway
CODA Degree Required (Closed)
Scope of practice
Full DT license NOT available without a CODA degree. Limited Community Service Dentist (CSDT) license possible.
Exams required
Full DT: INBDE + ADEX. CSDT: INBDE only (no ADEX).
What qualifies you

For full Dentist (DT) license: CODA-accredited DDS/DMD strictly required. CODA-accredited AEGD/GPR/specialty residency is NOT accepted in lieu of the degree.

What the Hawaii board actually said

HI Board (May 2026, Chrissy Hoogland): "For full Dentist (DT) licensure in Hawaii, applicants are strictly required to have graduated with a DDS or DMD degree from a dental college accredited by [CODA]. The completion of a CODA-accredited residency program (AEGD, GPR, or specialty) is not accepted in lieu of a DDS or DMD degree." CSDT license available with employment restrictions — not a general unrestricted license. https://cca.hawaii.gov/pvl/boards/dentist/application_publications/

Source: HI Board of Dental Examiners (dental@dcca.hawaii.gov), 2026-05-13

What does NOT qualify in Hawaii
  • AEGD 1 — HI full DT license requires a CODA pre-doctoral DDS/DMD. A limited Community Service Dentist (CSDT) license is available but is not unrestricted.
  • AEGD 2 — HI full DT license requires a CODA pre-doctoral DDS/DMD. A limited Community Service Dentist (CSDT) license is available but is not unrestricted.
  • GPR 1 — HI full DT license requires a CODA pre-doctoral DDS/DMD. A limited Community Service Dentist (CSDT) license is available but is not unrestricted.
  • GPR 2 — HI full DT license requires a CODA pre-doctoral DDS/DMD. A limited Community Service Dentist (CSDT) license is available but is not unrestricted.
  • ORTHO — HI full DT license requires a CODA pre-doctoral DDS/DMD. A limited Community Service Dentist (CSDT) license is available but is not unrestricted.
  • PERIO — HI full DT license requires a CODA pre-doctoral DDS/DMD. A limited Community Service Dentist (CSDT) license is available but is not unrestricted.
This page was compiled from a direct email exchange with the Hawaii 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 →

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Other states with this pathway
Massachusetts →Missouri →New Jersey →Nevada →South Carolina →Montana →

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