Equip Yourself
for the Future
At Bentson, Copple, Patterson & Associates, we believe in providing you with all the tools and resources you need to help you build the future of your practice and career.
In addition to our consulting services, we’ve compiled a quiver of articles and links covering a range of helpful topics, including practice valuation, orthodontic transition, and employment.
Whether you’re changing ownership, adding an associate, or thinking about expanding your practice, these relevant articles can equip you with the knowledge you need to make the most informed decisions about your career.
The American Association of Orthodontists Practice Opportunities & Careers is a web-based, self-listing program which allows registered providers and seekers to post their information in a secure way. This is a free online, confidential service for AAO members — seekers and providers wishing to hire an Associate, bring in a Partner, sell or transition their practices. This service is free of charge to all active AAO members.
Doctors and younger doctors wishing to purchase a practice, find a full-time or part-time associateship or partnership can feel confident in knowing that the AAO's Practice Opportunities & Careers service is complimentary, convenient and confidential. Seekers may view available listings and contact a provider anonymously. Only the information seekers choose to share is revealed.
Licensure is a multifaceted system and can take time to understand fully. This summary is only the start. We strongly recommend you review the licensure laws and regulations from the individual state board websites for real-time information about which examinations are accepted in the state(s) where licensure is sought.
The five clinical testing agencies are listed, including,
- states that are members of the regional clinical testing agencies and thereby accept that agency's examination results for licensure application; and
- other non-member states that may also accept the results of that examination for licensure.
Note: many states are members of multiple clinical testing agencies. Further, a number of states accept results of more than one clinical examination for licensure application.
- Testing agencies prefer that individuals email or call with questions, citing email as the first preference.
- The information provided here is subject to change and was updated in July 2013. It is essential to read the licensure requirements as published by the state board of dentistry, prior to taking an examination or applying.
Council of Interstate Testing Agencies (CITA) - www.citaexam.com
Member States/Territories: Alabama, Kentucky, Louisiana, North Carolina, Puerto Rico and West Virginia
The following states may also accept CITA examination results: Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon, Texas, Vermont, Virginia and Washington.
Central Regional Dental Testing Services, Inc. (CRDTS) - www.crdts.org
Member States:Alabama, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Carolina, South Dakota, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
The following states may also accept CRDTS examination results: Alabama, Arizona, Connecticut, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Montana, New Hampshire, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Vermont.
Northeast Regional Board of Dental Examiners (NERB)
American Board of Dental Examiners Dental Examination (ADEX)
(States that accept the ADEX examination also accept the NERB examination results.) - www.nerb.org
Member States: Connecticut, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
The following states may also accept NERB/ADEX examination results: Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington and Wyoming.
Southern Regional Testing Agency, Inc. (SRTA) - www.srta.org
Member States: Arkansas, Kentucky, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.
The following states may also accept SRTA examination results: Alabama, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
Western Regional Examining Board (WREB) - www.wreb.org
Member States: Alaska, Arizona, California, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wyoming and West Virginia (Affiliate member).
The following states may also accept WREB examination results: Alabama, Colorado, Connecticut, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia and Wisconsin.
Independent States that Administer Clinical Licensing Examinations
Delaware conducts its own practical clinical examination and requires other post-graduate education or practice experience as defined by the Board.
New York requires a doctoral degree in dentistry, plus completion of a clinically-based postdoctoral general practice or specialty dental residency program, of at least one year's duration, in a hospital or dental facility.
The U.S. Virgin Islands conducts its own clinical examination twice a year. Contact: [email protected]
©American Dental Association, July 2013
- The Next Generation: Millennials & Gen Z Orthodontic Residents Choose A Different Career Path
- Residency Timeline: The Ultimate Timeline
- Practice Valuation 101
- First Things First: Tips for New Practice Owners
- How to Select a Practice Location
- 2011 Resident Survey Sample
- Getting the Most From Your Orthodontic CV
- Hiring Employees with the Right Fit
- From Starting to Selling a Practice
- Real Life Learning
- Residents’ Most Commonly Asked Questions
- Practice Transition: A Step-By-Step Summary
- What I Would Do Differently
- 10 Tips To Beat Your Competition on Google
- Value of Trade Show Events and Orthodontic Meetings
- New Orthodontic Technology Innovations
- 2012 Annual Orthodontic Survey Results
- Where Should I Practice?
- Buyers Checklist for Smooth Practice Transition
- Transition Traps
- How to Find a Practice Opportunity
- Straight Facts: New AAO Branding Campaign
- An Innovative Trend in Orthodontic Practice Branding
- 2013 Resident Survey
- To Build or Buy: That is the Question
- Why a Career in Orthodontics is Still a Smart Choice
- Market Yourself for a Successful Sale
- Rewarding Professional Practice Referrals
- Typical Legal Documents
- Essential Transition Closing Checklist
- Preparing Your Practice for a Successful Transition
- Time to Sell
- Plus One: What You Need to Know When Adding an Associate to Your Practice
- Five Steps in Practice Transitions
- Should I Stay or Should I Go?
- The Future is Clear
- Cell Phones and Toothbrushes
- Anti-Kickback and Self-Referral Laws
- Embracing The New Generation of Millennial Orthodontists
- The Business of Private Practice Orthodontics in the United States
- Notes From The Field - Trends in Orthodontic Landscape
- Observations on Growing an Orthodontic Practice - Part 1
- Observations on Growing an Orthodontic Practice - Part 2
- Consolidation: The 2016 Dental Buzzword
- Opportunities in the Evolving Orthodontic Industry
- Addressing the Gender Pay Gap