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Full License via ResidencyVERIFIED · May 2026

Louisiana Dental Licensure
for International Dentists

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

Pathway
Full License via Residency
Scope of practice
Restricted to field of post-grad training (GP if GPR/AEGD; specialty if specialty residency)
Exams required
INBDE + clinical hand-skills exam. LBE if ADEX ≤ 5 yrs old; LBC if active out-of-state license + 1000 hrs/yr × 3 yrs.
What qualifies you

GP track: at least 2 consecutive years in no more than 2 CODA general-practice post-grad programs. Specialty track: 2 consecutive years at the same institution. Practice is restricted to the field of training.

What the Louisiana board actually said

LSBD (May 2026) quote: "An applicant who did not attend an accredited dental school must complete a post-graduate CODA approved program in general dentistry or a specialty. A general dentistry post-graduate program must consist of at least two complete consecutive years of training in no more than two CODA-approved programs. A specialty post-graduate program must consist of at least two consecutive years at the same institution." Practice limited to field of training. Jurisprudence + fingerprint background check required.

Source: Louisiana State Board of Dentistry (alexx@lsbd.org), 2026-05-13

Residencies that unlock licensure in Louisiana

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

2-yr AEGD
General dentistry — restricted to field of training
2-yr GPR
General dentistry — restricted to field of training
Ortho
Specialty — practice restricted to that specialty
↳ 2 consecutive years at the SAME institution (no split residencies).
Perio
Specialty — practice restricted to that specialty
↳ 2 consecutive years at the SAME institution (no split residencies).
Endo
Specialty — practice restricted to that specialty
↳ 2 consecutive years at the SAME institution (no split residencies).
Prostho
Specialty — practice restricted to that specialty
↳ 2 consecutive years at the SAME institution (no split residencies).
Pedo
Specialty — practice restricted to that specialty
↳ 2 consecutive years at the SAME institution (no split residencies).
OMFS
Specialty — practice restricted to that specialty
↳ 2 consecutive years at the SAME institution (no split residencies).
OMR
Specialty — practice restricted to that specialty
↳ 2 consecutive years at the SAME institution (no split residencies).
OMP
Specialty — practice restricted to that specialty
↳ 2 consecutive years at the SAME institution (no split residencies).
Oral Med
Specialty — practice restricted to that specialty
↳ 2 consecutive years at the SAME institution (no split residencies).
OFP
Specialty — practice restricted to that specialty
↳ 2 consecutive years at the SAME institution (no split residencies).
DPH
Specialty — practice restricted to that specialty
↳ 2 consecutive years at the SAME institution (no split residencies).
Anesth
Specialty — practice restricted to that specialty
↳ 2 consecutive years at the SAME institution (no split residencies).
What does NOT qualify in Louisiana
  • AEGD 1 — LA requires 2 consecutive years of GP residency (no more than 2 programs).
  • GPR 1 — LA requires 2 consecutive years of GP residency (no more than 2 programs).
This page was compiled from a direct email exchange with the Louisiana 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
Virginia →New York →Ohio →Washington →Connecticut →

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