Dental General Information
The dental licensure examination administered by the Southern Regional Testing Agency, Inc., (SRTA), evaluates clinical performance skills. The examination provides reliable clinical skills assessment for use by state boards in making licensing decisions. The examination in dental consists of three required sections and one optional section:
Two simulated clinical examinations performed on manikins
- Endodontic Clinical Examination Section
- Fixed Prosthodontic Clinical Examination Section
Two clinical examinations performed on patients
- Restorative Clinical Examination Section, Anterior and Posterior
- Periodontal Scaling Clinical Examination Section (optional, based on the requirements in the state where the candidate seeks licensure)
Note: For licensure in Wyoming, slot preps are not acceptable.
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 any and all procedures within that section. Successful completion of the examination requires passing all three (or four if taking Periodontal) sections. The clinical examination is given in an open format. Candidates may perform the clinical procedures as they wish, providing the guidelines for each procedure as outlined in the Dental Candidate Manual are followed.
The technical procedures, as well as the specific materials used in the restorative Dentistry examinations shall be the candidate’s own choice. Satisfactory patient treatment is the criterion for acceptance or rejection of any method, procedure or material used. The Southern Regional Testing Agency examines candidates with varying education backgrounds. Because universities teach different preparations, SRTA does not look for one type of standard preparation.
The examiners at all sites are experienced practitioners with diverse backgrounds. The examiners are trained and standardized prior to each examination and are evaluated to assure grading to established criteria. The examiners are separated from the candidates and will remain in the “Evaluation Area” of the clinic. The candidates must observe all signs and follow instructions so as to not breach anonymity. Anonymity is preserved between the scoring examiners and the candidates, but not among the examiners themselves. Examiners may consult with one another whenever necessary. There are times when fairness requires consultation between examiners.
Each candidate must furnish all patients, necessary materials and instruments including high and slow speed hand pieces. Patients must be at least 14 years of age. A parent or guardian must be available in the waiting area during treatment and provide written consent for minors under the age of 18.
On day one of the examination, candidates taking the complete examination are required to register prior to orientation and are expected to attend the orientation session/presentation when specific instructions for the exam will be given. An opportunity for questions and answers will be provided after the presentation is completed. Only candidates registered for the examination are permitted to attend the orientation session. Please direct your assistant and/or patients either to the clinical or waiting area. Candidates failing to attend the orientation session will not be given separate instructions.
Candidate Qualifications
Final acceptance of candidates for the examination is contingent upon being a graduate of an American or Canadian Dental College accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation.
Candidates who have not formally graduated from their university are
required to secure certification from their Dean stating:
- The candidate is eligible and qualifies for the D.D.S. or D.M.D. degree requirements.
- The candidate will complete the D.D.S. or D.M.D. degree requirements within eighteen months of the examination date.
- This certification must be in the form of a letter from the Dean submitted with the application or provided to SRTA by the Dean prior to the receipt of the candidate’s application.
Candidates who graduated from a school outside of the United States and Canada may apply and be considered for the “state only” status, pending receipt of the appropriate state authorization, The candidate must furnish a letter from the State Board of Dentistry that accepts the results of this examination. This letter should indicate that the candidate is eligible for licensure in that state upon successful completion of the examination. In addition, a copy of the candidate’s diploma with an English translation must be provided.
Application Process
The online application was developed for the candidate’s convenience. To apply online, go to https://srta.a2hosted.com/, and click the “Apply Online” link to connect to a secure website that requires the candidate’s contact and school information. Gathering all required items prior to starting the online application will save significant time. Applicants will need:
- A recent digital headshot of close proximity to the candidate is required for the online application. Candidates should be clearly distinguishable, as the photo will be printed on the candidate admission card. Photos must be in one of the following formats: JPG, GIF, or PNG.
- A digital copy of current and valid CPR certification is required. Valid certification is defined as a “hands-on” training program that provides an assessment of cognitive skills and skills acquired via classroom training. A minimum of Basic CPR skills is required. Classes provided solely by Internet instruction are not acceptable.
- A copy of the candidate’s diploma from a CODA-accredited dental program must be provided in order for the profile to be valid. This document can be uploaded into the profile, faxed, or emailed to the SRTA office. Candidates who have not formally graduated from their dental program are required to secure certification from their Dean or Program Director stating:
- The candidate is eligible and in the last semester of the graduation requirements.
- The candidate will complete the graduation requirements within twelve months of the examination date.
- The candidate has successfully completed local anesthesia requirements, (only if the candidate plans to personally administer local anesthesia). This should include whether the candidate has been trained in infiltration techniques only or in both block and infiltration.
SRTA accepts VISA and MasterCard only. No international credit/debit cards will be accepted. Debit cards may be used if allowable by the issuing bank and if they bear the VISA or MasterCard logo. The total payment will include the site-specific facility as well as the examination fee. All payments are drawn immediately and must be paid in full. Failure to pay the application fee and facility fee at the time of application will forfeit the applicant’s ability to sit for the examination. The Veterans Administration has approved the cost of the SRTA Dental Examination for reimbursement. Contact the regional Veterans Affairs/Veterans Education Office to obtain the proper forms.
After the candidate has completed the application profile, the following steps will occur:
- The application profile is complete and accepted by “verification.” SRTA personnel will verify the profile only after all required profile information has been entered, uploaded, and received. Profiles without a photo or without CPR cards will not be validated. Please allow between 3 – 5 days for verification. Only after a candidate’s profile has been verified can he/she apply for an examination. With the exception of password changes, all profile changes will automatically mark the candidate temporarily invalid and must be verified again.
- Application for the examination: Once all profile information has been uploaded, candidates may apply for examinations. Simply click on the “Apply” tab at the top of the screen to begin the application process. Detailed instructions will be presented based on the available examinations.
- Candidates must visit the “Documents” portion of the secure site to download and complete all required documents. Instructions for each document are on the website. Some documents must be completed and returned to the SRTA office to the examination.
Dental Candidate Manual
Upon successful registration, candidates must download and read the current Dental Candidate Manual. This is the definitive guide to the SRTA examination and contains a complete description of the examination, examination schedule, and instructions. The information at srta.org and in all other SRTA publications is intended to only give a broad picture of the SRTA examination and does not fully prepare a candidate to take the examination. Failure to read the candidate’s manual may result in examination failure.
2020 Dental Exam Candidate’s Manual
A hardcopy is available by request, by contacting the SRTA office.
Acadental Checkmate Stent Device
Acadental has created a small device to allow candidates to produce more uniformly made stents for the Fixed Prosthodontic section. Please take a look at the video for a demonstration on how the device is used.
Click here for the Acadental Checkmate video