Apply and Verify Your Credentials
Your application process depends on the pathway you selected.
Graduates entering the NDEB Equivalency Process apply to that process. Graduates of accredited programs apply to the NDEB Certification Process. Candidates choosing a degree-completion or bridge program must apply directly to the educational institution and later apply to the NDEB Certification Process when eligible.
1. Select the Correct Application
- Equivalency Process
Apply to the Equivalency Process if you graduated from a non-accredited BDS, DDS or DMD program and intend to complete the AFK, ACJ and NDECC.
View Equivalency Process application instructions
- Certification Process
Apply to the Certification Process if you graduated from an accredited dental program or completed an eligible accredited degree-completion or bridge program. Eligible students may apply and take the Virtual OSCE as early as four months before completing an accredited dental or accredited degree-completion program.
View Certification Process application instructions
- University or bridge program
Apply directly to the program. Admission is not managed by the NDEB. Each program has its own deadlines, fees, language evidence, assessments and immigration-status rules.
2. Use Your NDEB Account
- Submit the appropriate application.
- Pay application and examination fees.
- Review the document checklist assigned to your application.
- Track credential verification and respond to requests.
- Register for examinations when the NDEB confirms eligibility.
3. Follow Your Exact Document Checklist
Requirements depend on your country of education, program and application type. Use the country-specific document selector and the checklist displayed in your account.
- Proof of identity.
- Dental degree or proof of graduation.
- Official academic transcript.
- University confirmation, when requested.
- Registration history or statement of professional standing.
- Legal name-change documentation.
- Certified translation when a document is not in English or French.
Some documents must be sent directly by a university or regulator. Depending on the document, the NDEB may accept source-submitted hard copies, official institutional email or an approved digital-document service. Check NDEB required documents
4. Citizenship or Permanent-Residence Evidence
Canadian citizenship or permanent residence is not required simply to enter the Equivalency Process. Eligible candidates may submit approved evidence for the NDECC registration-prioritization process. Review the current policy before submitting evidence.
5. Application Fees and Processing
- Equivalency Process application: $900.
- Certification Process application: $450.
- Examination and educational-program fees are separate.
The NDEB currently publishes an estimated credential-verification time of approximately 10 weeks. Processing may take longer when documents are incomplete, incorrectly submitted or require additional verification.
Avoid Delays
- Use the same legal name on your account and documents.
- Provide legal name-change evidence when required.
- Follow source-submission and translation rules.
- Check portal messages regularly.
- Do not pay for an examination before eligibility is confirmed.
- Use only your own account and submit complete, accurate information; NDEB may find a candidate ineligible for misrepresentation.