FAQS
APPLYING FOR A SRTA EXAM
States Resources for Testing and Assessments (SRTA) is an agency that administers Dental and Dental Hygiene examinations that qualify the candidate for licensure in states that accept the SRTA examination. SRTA was previously referred to as Southern Regional Testing Agency until 2022. SRTA is not a licensing body; Please review the most current rulings for the individual state board to review SRTA acceptance for endorsement for licensure.
SRTA includes a list of states that accept SRTA examinations for licensure and automatically receive a candidate’s scores each new year: Alabama (AL), Arkansas (AR), South Carolina (SC), Tennessee (TN), Texas (TX), and West Virginia (WV).
*These states also require the Diagnostic Skills Examination (DSE) Computerized Examination OR the Intra/Extra Oral (IEO) Computerized Examination.
** Pending regulation review and approval
Alabama | New Mexico* |
Arizona | North Dakota |
Arkansas | Ohio |
Colorado | Oklahoma* |
Connecticut* | Oregon |
Georgia | Pennsylvania |
Hawaii | South Carolina |
Illinois | South Dakota |
Indiana | Tennessee |
Iowa | Texas |
Kansas | Utah |
Kentucky | Vermont |
Maine | Virginia |
Massachusetts* | Washington |
Mississippi* | West Viriginia |
Missouri | Wisconsin |
Montana | Wyoming |
Nebraska | |
New Hampshire* |
Current students/Graduates of an Accredited Dental & Dental Hygiene Program
Graduate of a Non-accredited Dental & Dental Hygiene Program
If not applying with a pre-scheduled accredited class examination, please provide; a letter of recommendation from the dean of an accredited dental school or the director of an accredited dental hygiene program, certifying that the non-accredited program met each of the requirements in terms of length of study, subjects, functions, and hours.
Internationally educated/licensed candidates
Contact the state board where you are seeking licensure and have an original letter on your behalf stating that you have met their requirements and are eligible to take a SRTA Dental/Dental Hygiene Examination. This letter is your proof of qualification.
Relocating/licensed practicing professionals
Provide proof of graduation/Diploma documentation. Contact the state board where you are seeking licensure, to ensure that a SRTA examination will qualify you for initial licensure or credentialing
The Dental Examination (Manikin-Based) consists of 4 required sections:
- Endodontic Clinical Examination Section
- Fixed Prosthodontic Clinical Examination Section
- Restorative Clinical Examination Section:
-Anterior
-Posterior - Periodontal Scaling Clinical Examination Section
New to 2023- 5th Required Section: The Diagnostic Skills Examination (DSE):
80 computerized questions
Each section is judged by specific criteria and scored on a “Pass/Fail” basis. Successful completion of a section is contingent on a passing score of 75 or more of the specified criteria in all procedures within that section. Successful completion of the examination requires passing all sections.
The Diagnostic Skills Examination (DSE) is a computerized section and consists of 80 questions covering the following areas: Patient Evaluations, Comprehensive Treatment Planning, Periodontics, Prosthodontics, and Medical Conditions.
SRTA will waive the cost of 1 sectional retake of the Dental Manikin Examination if the candidate is not successful in their initial attempt.
Full Manikin-based Clinical Examination– $2,250
*includes Typodonts for all sections
Manikin-based sectional re-examination fees – $800
Anterior Restorative
Posterior Restorative
Endodontics
Fixed Prosthodontics
Periodontal
Full Manikin-based Clinical Examination and DSE – $2,700
*includes Typodonts for all sections
Manikin-based sectional re-examination fees – $850
Anterior Restorative
Posterior Restorative
Endodontics
Fixed Prosthodontics
Periodontal
DSE sectional only (initial examination) – $500
DSE re-examination – $300
Full Traditional Patient-based Clinical Examination and DSE – $2,350
Traditional Patient-based sectional re-examination fees – $700
Anterior Restorative
Posterior Restorative
Endodontics
Fixed Prosthodontics
Periodontal
Facility fees vary by location. Facility fees are set by the host examination site and are subject to change at the discretion of the host examination site’s request. The facility fee will be finalized upon submission of payment for registration online. The facility fee must be combined with the SRTA examination fee. SRTA will forward all facility fees to the appropriate examination site.
During the two-hour clinical treatment portion of the examination (manikin-based or patient-based), candidates must demonstrate the following clinical skills:
• Calculus detection
• Periodontal pocket depth measurement
• Calculus removal
• Tissue management
• Calculus remaining on unassigned surfaces
In addition to these scored criteria, candidates must follow standard infection control precautions.
SRTA will waive the cost of the retake of one section of the dental hygiene exam if the candidate is not successful in their initial exam.
Initial Clinical Manikin-based examination
(includes Typodont & shroud; includes 1 free retake) - $1,150; Retake fee - $1,150
Initial Clinical Patient-Based examination
(includes 1 free retake) - $950; Retake fee - $950
Intra/Extra Oral Computerized Exam (Optional) - $150; Retake fee - $150
Facility fees vary by location. Facility fees are set by the host examination site and are subject to change at the discretion of the host examination site’s request. The facility fee will be finalized upon submission of payment for registration online. The facility fee must be combined with the SRTA examination fee. SRTA will forward all facility fees to the appropriate examination site.
There is a $200 late registration fee for any candidate who applies after the posted deadline date. No late registrations will be accepted 2 weeks prior to the scheduled examination date.
Yes, as long as you reexamine within eighteen months after the first section of the examination is initiated.
SRTA examiners are experienced practitioners with diverse backgrounds. All examiners are annually trained and standardized prior to each examination and are evaluated to assure grading to established criteria. Examinations may be conducted and graded on-site, or remotely reviewed and graded on a 3-4 week schedule.
SRTA works with Acadental and Kilgore International for our Dental and Dental Hygiene Manikin Examination materials. For candidates who have never worked on a manikin or with simulated/plastic teeth, some find practicing with the material beforehand to be beneficial. A practice typodont is available for candidates to familiarize themselves with it before the examination
You can also purchase materials directly from Acadental and Kilgore. Click the links below:
Please visit the SRTA Clinical Portal https://clinicalexam.azurewebsites.net
Create a candidate profile in order to register for an exam. Profile verification is conditional on pre-approvals provided by the university or institute.
If you are non-student (outside candidate), dental professional, please email [email protected] to expedite profile verification.
Verification may take 2-3 business days once all required documentation and photos have been uploaded.
SRTA reviews each profile for the appropriate picture and documents. Profiles will be verified only after those requirements are accepted.
A few reasons why your profile hasn’t been verified yet:
- Have you uploaded a photo? (a photo is mandatory).
- If you are still a student, have you put down the correct school and date of graduation?
- If you have graduated, have you uploaded proof of graduation?
Please contact [email protected] to inquire about any further questions regarding verification.
Email [email protected] to update any profile information.
Scores will be available online the next business day following the examination. Simply use your registration username (email) and password to retrieve them. Additionally, you will be emailed a notification of the posting of scores. SRTA does not send scores via email. Please do not call our office for your scores as our personnel are not authorized to release this information.
Once you have received notification of your scores being posted via email, you can log in to your SRTA candidate portal and view the results online.
All scores, including computerized scores, are reported in your profile; you will receive an email when your results are posted. SRTA cannot provide personal scores over the phone. Candidate scores are also reported to all SRTA member states via an online database.
You can make a formal request HERE and an authorized, physical copy will be sent to the board of your choice. 1 letter per request. Authorized .pdf electronic copies are available upon condition. Once you have filled out the form and submitted payment, your score request will be sent out within 72 hours. Results for all pass/fail attempts will be reported to state boards. This includes initial and retake attempts.
Candidate scores are also reported to all SRTA member states via an online database. Member states contingent by year, please visit HERE for member state information and contact information.
No, SRTA no longer offers jurisprudence examinations for member states. Please contact the respective board of dentistry for the state where you are seeking licensure for the most current requirements.
If you find that your state licensure application asks for the “jurisdiction” of the SRTA clinical/regional exam, please list VA/VIRGINIA as SRTA is based in Va Beach, VA.
Yes. If you find that you must change the type of exam (manikin to patient, patient to manikin) please email [email protected] with your request. Exams must be finalized no later than the registration deadline date and cannot be switched at the exam site.
Refunds: Candidates who fail to appear for a scheduled examination will lose their entire examination fee unless SRTA has received written notification. Refunds will not be given for a patient’s failure to appear. A $200 administrative processing fee will be deducted from the refund.
Any refunds requested prior to 3 weeks of the scheduled examination will result in:
75% refund - $200 administrative processing fee
Any refunds requested within 3 weeks prior to the scheduled examination will result in:
50% refund - $200 administrative processing fee
For candidates with a medical deferment, SRTA will retain the original fee and permit examination within 12 months. A physician’s statement must substantiate the deferment.
A university instruction letter will be available once the application for the examination has been processed. The instruction letter contains contact information for the school, materials supplied by the site, and other site information.
SRTA works with the following manufacturers for examinations:
Dental/Manikin- Kilgore International
Dental Hygiene/Manikin- Acadental
For questions regarding examination procedures, content, applications, and test dates, the SRTA offices are open Monday-Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm EST.
Please call us at (757) 318-9082 or send your questions to [email protected].
Questions concerning jurisprudence study materials, licensing, reciprocity and licensure by credentials should be directed to the appropriate state board where licensure is sought.
Questions regarding testing facilities and equipment should be directed to the appropriate test site.
You may also contact the American Association of Dental Boards (AADB) website, www.dentalboards.org for more information and links to all state boards.
NON-FAILURE VERIFICATION LETTER / HAVE NEVER TAKEN A SRTA EXAMINATION
Please visit the Not Taken SRTA Page here and fill out the form for non-failure verification letters. An authorized PDF will be created and emailed to the direct contact you provide.
EXAMINATIONS WITH PROMETHEAN DENTAL SYSTEMS (PDS)
Complete Manikin-based Examination:
SRTA Examination Fee – $2,550 *includes Typodonts for all sections
Promethean Dental Systems Facility Fee – $400
Optional
Practice Arches – $300
Sectional Re-Examinations – $850
Expedited Registration and Scheduling – $300
A 3-week registration and notice are required for a SRTA examination at a Promethean Dental Systems location. Please plan accordingly if you will need to present proof of completion by a specific date.
*Expedited registration and scheduling is available for candidates looking to take a SRTA exam at a PDS location, please see costs above on the question above.
Please visit the SRTA Clinical Portal here.
Create a candidate profile in order to register for an exam. Profile verification is conditional on pre-approvals provided by the university or institute.
If you are non-student (outside candidate), dental professional, please email [email protected] to expedite profile verification. Be sure to indicate that you would like to take the exam at a PDS location.
Once you have registered, you will be given a link to a form to fill out for the PDS locations. You will be contacted by a representative from PDS to determine the specifics of your exam. A quote will then be established. Once fulfilled, you will be eligible to complete the scheduling process with SRTA.
SRTA works with Acadental and Kilgore International for our Dental and Dental Hygiene Manikin Examination materials. For candidates who have never worked on a manikin or with simulated/plastic teeth, some find practicing with the material beforehand to be beneficial. A practice Typodont is available for candidates to familiarize themselves with it before the examination
You can also purchase materials directly from Acadental and Kilgore. Click the links below:
Verification may take 2-3 business days once all required documentation and photos have been uploaded.
SRTA reviews each profile for the appropriate picture and documents. Profiles will be verified only after those requirements are accepted.
A few reasons why your profile hasn’t been verified yet:
- Have you uploaded a photo? (a photo is mandatory).
- If you are still a student, have you put down the correct school and date of graduation?
- If you have graduated, have you uploaded proof of graduation?
Please contact [email protected] to inquire about any further questions regarding verification.
When taking a SRTA exam at a satellite location, the results may take 3-4 weeks for final evaluation. You will receive a direct email from SRTA when your results are posted.
Once you have received notification of your scores being posted via email, you can log in to your SRTA candidate portal and view the results online.
You can make a formal request HERE and an authorized, physical copy will be sent to the board of your choice. One letter per request. Authorized PDF electronic copies are available upon condition.
SRTA does not provide re-education courses. PDS has a course catalog for candidates interested in re-education or additional courses that may benefit a professional practice. Please visit www.prometheandentalsystems.com for more information.
Please contact SRTA Executive Director, Jessica Bui at [email protected].
Past Candidates (2021 and Before)
You can make a formal request HERE and an authorized, physical copy will be sent to the board of your choice. One letter per request. Authorized PDF electronic copies are available upon condition.
Candidate scores are also reported to all SRTA member states via an online database. Member states are contingent by year, please visit this page here for member state information and contact information.
If you are a previous candidate from 2021 and before, candidate information is no longer accessible via the candidate portal due to software and database system upgrades.
2022 and after candidates can access their scores via their candidate account.
*Please note that online scores/screenshots of a candidate’s results are not authorized score verifications for state applications and licensure
New regulations state that exams are scored on a pass/fail basis only. Numeric scores are no longer issued.
You can view any errors by logging onto your profile and clicking on the 'results' tab. The errors listed are in accordance with the error within the candidate manual.
Example: posterior endodontics: access opening: access opening 3 & access opening 4. You will reference the section of the manual for posterior endodontics: access opening and under 'unacceptable criteria' along with the corresponding error number.
Yes. SRTA sectional examinations are available for candidates seeking sections and not the entire examination. A new proof of qualification may also be required.
Yes, the manuals contain the current guidelines for the examination. Information from a previous year may no longer be applicable. Please visit here for the latest available manuals.
Current students/Graduates of an Accredited Dental & Dental Hygiene Program
Graduate of a Non-accredited Dental & Dental Hygiene Program
If not applying with a pre-scheduled accredited class examination, please provide; a letter of recommendation from the dean of an accredited dental school or the director of an accredited dental hygiene program, certifying that the non-accredited program met each of the requirements in terms of length of study, subjects, functions, and hours.
Internationally educated/licensed candidates
Contact the state board where you are seeking licensure and have an original letter on your behalf stating that you have met their requirements and are eligible to take a SRTA Dental/Dental Hygiene Examination. This letter is your proof of qualification.
Relocating/licensed practicing professionals
Provide proof of graduation/Diploma documentation. Contact the state board where you are seeking licensure, to ensure that a SRTA examination will qualify you for initial licensure or credentialing.
SRTA, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, will provide reasonable and appropriate accommodation for candidates with documented disabilities. SRTA will provide reasonable accommodation, auxiliary aids, or services that are necessary to the extent required by law provided the requested accommodation, auxiliary aids, or services would not fundamentally alter the measurement of the skills or knowledge the exam is intended to test.
Candidates with disabilities who require accommodation while taking the SRTA exam may apply to SRTA for consideration of the accommodation by submitting the Special Accommodation Request Form and documentation no later than 45 days prior to the exam. For an accommodation request to be considered the Special Accommodation Request Form must be completed and submitted to SRTA with supporting documentation and the exam application in accordance with the conditions and guidelines stated.
ADDITIONAL DENTAL EXAM(S) INFORMATION (NOT SRTA ADMINISTERED)
The (Dental Admission Test) DAT is an admission test designed to provide dental education programs with a means to assess an applicant’s readiness and potential for success in dental programs. The DAT is used in conjunction with other admission tools that provide insight into candidate qualifications as they relate to core program requirements. Test results are just one factor considered in evaluating applicant potential. The relative importance of each factor in the admission process is determined by each dental education program.
The DAT is composed of multiple-choice test questions (items) presented in the English language and utilizes both the U.S. customary system and the metric system (Imperial System, International System) of measurement. It consists of four sections: Survey of the Natural Sciences, Perceptual Ability, Reading Comprehension, and Quantitative Reasoning. Topics covered include:
- Survey of the Natural Sciences (100 Items)
- Biology Test Specifications (40 Items)
- General Chemistry (30 items)
- Organic Chemistry (30 items)
- Perceptual Ability (90 Items)
- Reading Comprehension (50 items)
- Quantitative Reasoning (40 items)
The National Board Dental Examination (NBDE) is the United States national dental examination for students and professionals in dentistry. It is a computerized examination required for licensure in the U.S. and may also be required when applying for postgraduate studies in dental specialties after completing a dental degree.
Foreign-trained dentists also must take the NBDE in order to gain admission into advanced standing programs in U.S. dental schools. One of the challenges for transitioning dentists would be the numeric system, measurements, and tooth numbering.
The Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations (JCNDE) is the agency responsible for the development and administration of the National Board Dental Examinations (NBDE, INBDE, NBDHE).
The Integrated National Board Dental Examination (INBDE) is a two-day examination, which replaces the NBDE Part I and NBDE Part II, and is designed to provide information to U.S. dental boards seeking to determine whether licensure candidates have the necessary level of clinical skills to safely practice entry-level dentistry.
The NBDHE is a comprehensive examination consisting of 350 multiple-choice items covering functions that a dental hygienist is expected to be able to perform. Only functions that can be delegated to a dental hygienist in a majority of states are included in the examination. The examination contains a discipline-based component and a case-based component, with test specifications as follows:
- Discipline-Based Component
- Scientific Basis for Dental Hygiene Practice
- Provision of Clinical Dental Hygiene Services
- Community Health/Research Principles
- Case-Based Items: The case-based component includes 150 items involving 12 to 15 dental hygiene patient cases. These cases present information dealing with adult and child patients by means of patient histories, dental charts, radiographs, and clinical photographs.
* Source: Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations, jcnde.ada.org