Do all DRAs in Canada use the NDSE for licensure? Are there other steps involved?
In order to take the NDSE, you must be from an accredited specialty program, or have completed “gap training” (the DSATP) at a participating school. Once these requirements are met, you can apply directly to the RCDC by submitting the application forms available on our Examinations (link) section. You will need to provide us with a completed application form for the year in which you’re applying, along with proof that you have the required training and the appropriate examination fee before the published application deadline for that year.
Schools in Canada are accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation in Canada (CDAC). You can view a list of accredited programs on the CDAC’s website here.
Please notre that your dental program must have been accredited at the time of your enrolment. If you graduated from your program before it was recognized as accredited, you will not qualify to take the NDSE directly, but must go through the 'gap training' program (DSATP).
Due to a reciprocity agreement with the United States, programs accredited by the American Dental Association (ADA) are recognized in Canada. You can apply directly for the NDSE if you have graduated from an accredited American program. A list of qualifying programs can be found on the ADA’s website here.
In order to apply for the NDSE, you must provide us with:
You can begin the process from outside of Canada. If you are a graduate of a Canadian or American accredited specialty program, you can apply directly for the NDSE from any country.
If you are coming from a non-accredited program, you can apply for the DSCKE from any country. However, be aware that the existing “gap training” programs (DSATP), currently require applicants to be a Canadian citizen or have permanent resident status. In order to take the DSATP at the University of British Columbia, you will need to be a resident of B.C.
The first part of the examination, Component I, is a written examination. At the discretion of the Registrar, remote sites may be offered for Component I, at major cities throughout Canada, and internationally by request. If you would like to request to sit the written component of the examination at a remote site, please fill out and submit the Written Component Location Request, available on the Examination section of our website (link).
Eligibility for the NDSE is determined by your credentials. In order to successfully move through the credentialing stage, you must provide us with evidence that you have graduated from, or are in your last year of study at, an accredited program in the Canada or the United States; or that you have completed the DSATP at a participating accredited Canadian university.
