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Oral Surgeons

Certification, Licensing, and Special Requirements

Certification or Licensing

Dentists must be licensed in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. To qualify for a license in most states, a candidate must graduate from a dental school accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation and pass written and practical examinations. Candidates may fulfill the written part of the exam by passing the National Board Dental Examinations. Individual states or regional testing agencies give the written or practical examinations. Approximately 45 states grant licenses to dentists from other states based on their credentials. Dentists who intend to practice in a specialty area must be licensed or certified in about 20 states.

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons can obtain certification through the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Candidates must pass two examinations: a computer-based Qualifying Exam that seeks to test competency in oral and maxillofacial surgery, and an Oral Certifying Exam that’s designed to test their knowledge and judgment in the field. Visit https://www.aboms.org/become-certified for more information.