The agreement will incorporate the ADA’s objective structured clinical examination into the ADEX Dental Examination by August 2026 to modernize licensure.

The American Dental Association (ADA) and the American Board of Dental Examiners (ADEX) have finalized an agreement to license the ADA’s Dental Licensure Objective Structured Clinical Examination (DLOSCE) for incorporation into the ADEX Dental Examination. The integration is scheduled to be completed no later than August 1, 2026.

Agreement Aims to Enhance Licensure Portability

The integration is intended to simplify licensure pathways and improve portability for dental candidates. The ADEX Dental Examination is currently accepted or required for licensure in 48 states and jurisdictions including Washington, DC, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, and the US Virgin Islands.

“This agreement represents an important milestone for the dental profession. By aligning pathways to licensure and advancing candidate assessment, we are strengthening licensure portability, supporting a more mobile and responsive workforce, and ensuring that patient safety remains paramount,” says Richard Rosato, DMD, president of the ADA, in a release.

Examination Structure and Content

The updated ADEX Dental Examination will continue to evaluate candidates’ clinical hand skills while adding the DLOSCE component to assess treatment-planning and decision-making abilities. The DLOSCE utilizes images and 3D models to test candidates’ clinical judgment in scenarios designed to simulate real-world practice.

“ADEX has long served state dental boards to support licensure processes that reflect both public protection and clinical competence. This agreement continues that work by strengthening alignment across assessment components while preserving the clinical hand-skills evaluation that remains central to licensure in most US jurisdictions,” says Dr Mark Armstrong, chair of ADEX, in a release.

Implementation Timeline

The agreement follows collaboration between the ADA, ADEX, the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations, and the ADA Council on Dental Education and Licensure that began in 2025.

As part of the transition, ADEX will end its DSE OSCE no later than August 1, 2026. After that date, all ADEX Dental Examination administrations will include the DLOSCE. The DLOSCE will no longer be offered as a standalone examination to new candidates, with all standalone administrations ceasing after October 9, 2026.

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