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Specialty Residency → Specialty LicenseLIKELY — VERIFY

Illinois Dental Licensure
for International Dentists

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

Pathway
Specialty Residency → Specialty License
Scope of practice
Specialty practice
Exams required
INBDE + ADEX
What qualifies you

2-year CODA specialty residency (≥ 2,850 clock hours).

What the Illinois board actually said

IL recognises 6 specialty pathways: Prosthodontics, Pediatric, Perio, Endo, Ortho, OMFS. Sourced from Illinois Dental Practice Act + IDFPR; we have NOT yet received written board confirmation in this cycle.

Source: Illinois Dental Practice Act (no email cycle reply yet)

Residencies that unlock licensure in Illinois

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

Ortho
Specialty practice
↳ 2-yr CODA specialty (≥ 2,850 clock hours).
Perio
Specialty practice
↳ 2-yr CODA specialty (≥ 2,850 clock hours).
Endo
Specialty practice
↳ 2-yr CODA specialty (≥ 2,850 clock hours).
Prostho
Specialty practice
↳ 2-yr CODA specialty (≥ 2,850 clock hours).
Pedo
Specialty practice
↳ 2-yr CODA specialty (≥ 2,850 clock hours).
OMFS
Specialty practice
↳ 2-yr CODA specialty (≥ 2,850 clock hours).
What does NOT qualify in Illinois
  • AEGD 1 — IL does not accept GP residencies for the FEG path — only 6 named 2-yr specialties.
  • AEGD 2 — IL does not accept GP residencies for the FEG path — only 6 named 2-yr specialties.
  • GPR 1 — IL does not accept GP residencies for the FEG path — only 6 named 2-yr specialties.
  • GPR 2 — IL does not accept GP residencies for the FEG path — only 6 named 2-yr specialties.
  • OMR — IL only recognizes Prostho, Pedo, Perio, Endo, Ortho, OMFS.
  • OMP — IL only recognizes Prostho, Pedo, Perio, Endo, Ortho, OMFS.
This page was compiled from a direct email exchange with the Illinois 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 Illinois-eligible residency programs that match your profile

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

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Other states with this pathway
Oklahoma →New Mexico →Texas →Minnesota →

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