North Carolina

Specialty Residency → Specialty License

What training qualifies: License by Credentials: an ADA-recognized SPECIALTY certificate from a CODA-accredited post-graduate program may substitute for the CODA dental degree. A general AEGD/GPR does NOT qualify. Also available: an Instructor's license (faculty-only, practice restricted to the school).
Exams: US National Boards + board-approved clinical exam. License by Credentials also requires a 5-year continuous active license and 5,000 clinical hours (excluding residency) in the 5 years preceding application, and no disciplinary actions.
Scope: Specialty practice (via credentials) or teaching-only (instructor license)
Board notes: NC State Board of Dental Examiners (Precious L. Lee, 2026-08-04) + "Options for International Dentists" PDF: (1) Instructor license — faculty at UNC Adams, ECU, or High Point; practice restricted to the school. (2) License by Credentials — a specialty certificate substitutes for the degree, but ALL other credentials requirements apply (5-yr license, 5,000 non-residency clinical hours, clinical exam, National Boards, clean record) — effectively closed to fresh AEGD/GPR grads. (3) Advanced-standing programs to earn a CODA DDS/DMD. All contingent on immigration/visa status. Apply via portal.ncdentalboard.org.
Confidence: verified · North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners (plee@ncdentalboard.org) + Options for International Dentists PDF, 2026-08-04 · last reviewed August 2026

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