No, it is a supplemental exam that must be registered and paid for separately. Only candidates seeking licensure in Florida should register for this exam.
Non-Patient Based Exams
Visit our Test Prep page for links to videos and other tools that may be helpful. For additional information on Dental and Dental Hygiene Examinations, please click on the appropriate link. The CDCA-WREB-CITA does not release old examinations for review and there is no approved review course for either examination.
No. You have the option of deciding which exam type you prefer to take. Prior to registering for any exam, you should check with the appropriate state board to verify current licensing requirements.
Yes. You can find our updated exam manuals on our website at the links below:
This means that while we will be administering an exam at your school, a date has not finalized at this time. Once a date is confirmed, it will be posted on our website an made available on your Candidate Portal.
No. Once your school has established a new date for the clinical exam, your registration will automatically be moved to that new date.
Please review our Acceptance Map. This map is for illustrative purposes of the ADEX examination only and is updated with the intention of providing the most accurate information available. State laws/board rules can and do change from time to time. Prior to registering for any exam, you should check with the appropriate state board to verify current licensing requirements.
If you have registered for an exam site that offers both a patient and simulated patient exam, please send us a message through our Contact Us page. You will need to identify yourself as a Licensure Candidate, and select “Scheduling” as your topic to let us know your preference. There is no need to choose an exam type unless your school is offering both patient and simulated patient examinations.
Patient-Based Exams
Visit our Test Prep page for links to videos and other tools that may be helpful. For additional information on Dental and Dental Hygiene Examinations, please click on the appropriate link. The CDCA-WREB-CITA does not release old examinations for review and there is no approved review course for either examination.
We can carry forward your fee to a future examination, or you may withdraw and if eligible, receive a refund. For either option, a $100 processing fee will apply. You have up until 72 hours before the first exam day to contact a team member to request a forward or withdrawal; after that, we cannot process such requests. * Please note: All requests for date change are subject to capacity/available space and whether or not the future location you select is willing to accept your registration.
Sharing patients, while not recommended, is permitted. You and the person you are sharing a patient with MUST contact the CDCA-WREB-CITA or the school coordinator by the registration deadline to request to be placed on opposite schedules. Requests received after the registration deadline will be denied. Once your schedule is confirmed, you must inform the Chief Examiner on the day of your scheduled exam that you are sharing a patient. Each candidate must complete an individual Medical History Form and Patient Consent Form for the patient. The shared patient’s radiographs are evaluated independently for each candidate, so each candidate must have his/her own set of qualifying radiographs in order to attempt the exam. Copying radiographs for use by a second candidate rather than re-taking the radiographs is highly recommended.
Please be advised that depending on total numbers at an exam site there may not be both a morning and afternoon session.
CDCA-WREB-CITA does not locate patients. We suggest that you talk with your school about whether patients of record at your school are used for exams or if you need to seek an outside patient.
Yes, as long as they meet the patient guidelines as noted in the exam manual.
Computerized OSCE Exams
Eligibilities IDs are good for one use only. To retake a failed computerized exam, you should register and pay for a retake through your profile, and receive a new eligibility ID.
If candidates wish to change their computerized exam date, time or location they must reschedule or cancel their appointment directly with Prometric 1 calendar day or more before their scheduled date and time. Rescheduling of appointments can be accomplished via www.prometric.com or by calling 800-796-9857; both are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. CDCA-WREB-CITA cannot cancel or reschedule your appointment. Candidates that fail to cancel an appointment within at least 1 business day prior to their scheduled exam time will have a no-show result and the fees will be forfeited.
Prometric has a $50 fee to reschedule or cancel an appointment if the change is made 1 to 5 days before the scheduled test date.
Prometric has a $25 fee to reschedule or cancel an appointment if the change is made 6 to 29 days before the scheduled test date.
If you are rescheduling through the internet, you are encouraged to print out a hard-copy confirming your new appointment or cancellation.
PSI (EFDA) policies and procedures – please refer to the Candidate Information Bulletin.
Once your results are posted to your CDCA-WREB-CITA account, there is no waiting period. As soon as you get a notification that your scores have been posted to your CDCA-WREB-CITA account, you are free to register for a retake at your earliest convenience.
Candidates register for computerized exams through the “Registration tab” on their online CDCA-WREB-CITA candidate profiles. After selecting the exam you wish to register for, you must click on the “Prometric (third-party)” on the next page in order to continue registration. Prometric is the only third-party administrator of the DSE, CSCE, LA, NO and FLR exams, so it will be your only choice. Do NOT select a state. You will receive an email confirmation within 1 business day with additional instructions for scheduling. Please do not attempt to schedule your exam prior to receiving the authorization email. Click here for additional information.
For dentists: the DSE OSCE (ADEX) and the Florida Laws & Rules.
For hygienists: the CSCE (ADEX), the Florida Laws & Rules, Local Anesthesia, and Nitrous Oxide and Dental Therapy OSCE.
Sedation exams: Minimal sedation, Moderate sedation, Deep sedation, General Anesthesia and Pediatric Sedation.
Items include multiple-choice (traditional/single response); multiple choice
(multiple response), extended match, drop down, fill in the blank, hot spot, and drag and drop.
Yes. The alternative item types that will appear initially as pilot questions. Before any item appears on any ADEX examination, it is reviewed by a committee of subject matter experts to determine if the question represents current and valid entry-level knowledge. Like multiple-choice items, the alternative items are empirically evaluated during un-scored pilot testing before becoming a part of the operational question bank. Also, like multiple-choice items, the alternative items must satisfy stringent psychometric and statistical criteria before being included as operational (i.e., scored) questions on the examination
Alternative item types are added to the DSE and CSCE in order to further enhance the traditional multiple-choice format. The alternative format helps ADEX more accurately and efficiently assess important areas of entry-level knowledge that are difficult to assess in a traditional multiple-choice format. Alternative item formats will allow examinees to effectively demonstrate important knowledge area competencies in a way different from the standard multiple-choice item format. Often, alternative item formats are more reflective of actual practice. For instance, the ability to make accurate diagnoses from a radiograph is a very important entry-level skill. The examinee is not able to recognize or guess the correct answer from a set of provided response options when more than one condition is present and each is scored.
In this item format, you will be presented with an image or a figure. You will then be asked to select a region on the image or figure that corresponds to the prompt in the question stem. To select the region, click the correct region with the mouse. To change the answer, click on the existing marker and drag it to a different location. You will not get to highlight an entire area on an image, so be as precise as possible when making your selection. You may move the cursor around and select another part of the image at any time before moving on with a final selection. An example of a hotspot question is shown below. In this example, a correct answer would be selected by clicking the pupil.
These item types will ask you to sort, order, or group like items. In the example below, a diagram is shown without labels or some missing parts. Examinees will be expected to refer to the image and use the cursor to click and pick up, then drop the labels. This type of question could also be used to sort, order, or express relationships.
In an extended match question, you will be asked to click and then match one column of questions to another. Directions are provided in the question. Question tasks include matching responses to targets or placing responses in a specified order.
The example below is an extended match item. It asks the test taker to match the couples in literature. The test taker is supposed to click on a name in one column and match it with another.
This item format is similar to a multiple-choice item; however, the multiple response item consists of a
question with more than one correct response. The question will always indicate how many responses
are correct. The candidate is asked to indicate correct responses.
The example below shows a multiple response question.
To receive special accommodations first, upload your special accommodations documentation to the Profile tab of your Candidate Account under Special Accommodations Documentation. After you have uploaded your documentation, send a Contact Us message letting us know which computerized exams you would like your accommodations to be applied to. We will let you know the accommodations you are approved for and how to schedule your appointment.
International Student
Yes, but the candidate must request a Score Report (and pay the associated fee). The report will indicate that the examination was not the regional examination but was an examination authorized by a specific state.
No, this candidate still must get permission from a state dental board to be permitted to take the licensing examination for that individual state. Their entry-level dental or dental hygiene credential is still from an international school and determines their eligibility to take the regional examination.
No, the examination was authorized by an individual state as originally given. The candidate would need to take a new examination based on the credentials of a U.S. degree to have these regional examination results sent to all participating state jurisdictions.
Exam Registration
Candidates must submit required documents indicating that they are qualified to participate in the ADEX exam series. Depending on your status—still in school, graduated, in a post-graduate program, internationally trained, already practicing, or any other status—there are required documents that must be verified as part of the online profile creation process. Please read through the following requirements carefully to ensure that you upload the correct documents.
A. Internationally-trained Candidates:
1. Currently NOT enrolled in a CODA or CDAC post-graduate program: Candidates with an undergraduate dental degree from a non-U.S. or Canadian educational program must be authorized to take the examination by at least one state or jurisdiction that accepts the results of the ADEX examination as an initial licensure exam in that jurisdiction. Therefore, graduates of international dental programs must contact the jurisdiction in which they are seeking licensure and have that state draft a letter (on its official letterhead) in writing to indicate that the candidate is authorized to attempt the licensure exam in order to apply for licensure in that state only. Results are sent to that individual state only.
2. Currently enrolled in a CODA or CDAC post-graduate program: There are special protocols that the CDCA-WREB-CITA will assist you with. Please contact the CDCA-WREB-CITA once your profile has been verified (https://www.cdcaexams.org/contact).
Internationally trained candidates do NOT receive ADEX Status.
B. Proof of Graduation/Letter of Authorization:
1. Candidates who have graduated from a CODA or CDAC school: a copy of your diploma, transcripts, or current non-expired license is required. If neither a copy of your diploma or a copy of your transcript is available, a letter from your school (on official school letterhead) confirming graduation is required.
2. Candidates who have not yet graduated: If the CDCA-WREB-CITA does not currently administer an exam at your school of record, a letter from the school on official letterhead confirming that you are authorized to participate in a clinical exam, as well as your expected graduation date, is required.
No one is required to have scheduled or taken the computerized exam by the registration deadline. You are not required to take the exams in any particular order. The only requirement is that all portions be passed within 18 months of starting.
No. We do not allow same-day exam registration.
We will do our best to accommodate you. Please contact a team member.
Please contact contact a team member and we will assist you in finding a site that is acceptable.
Some exam sites are open only to current or former students of the school. This is a decision made by the school administration, not by the CDCA-WREB-CITA.
Clinical exams are given at certain times of the year and there will be times when there are no sites open for registration. Some sites are also open only to current or former students, and those from outside the school will not be able to register for them. Please consult our Exam Calendars for the latest information.
Please consult our exam calendars from the choices below:
Candidate Profile
Candidates who are “partially verified” may only take computer based examinations. If you need to take a clinical examination and your graduation date has passed then you must upload proof of graduation to your profile.
Normally verification only takes 2-3 business days once all required documentation and photos have been uploaded.
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?
- If the name on your diploma is different from the name you’re applying under, have you uploaded proof of the name change?
If you can say yes to all of the questions that apply to you and your profile is still not verified, then please contact a team member to inquire about verification.
Please do not create a duplicate profile. If you can’t get into your profile, first try the “Reset Password” link on the log-in screen. If that doesn’t work, contact a team member and we will help you.
Yes. Simply leave them blank, and do not enter anything else. Social Security Numbers and DENTPINs are not required to take the exam. You will also be able to enter a Social Security Number and/or DENTPIN when you have one.
Please provide us with an email that you check regularly. We do not share your email address with anyone. We suggest that you do not use a school email address as you may lose access to it after you graduate and at times our emails are blocked by school firewalls. We also recommend candidates do not use AOL email addresses, as AOL frequently blocks our email.
To ensure that your profile is accurate we ask all candidates to personally create profiles and upload relevant documentation.
A candidate whose name has legally changed after creating a profile but before attempting any part of the ADEX examination series must FIRST ensure that all of their IDs reflect their new name. Candidates are required to present two forms of identification (one must be a photo ID) when checking-in to the testing center for any computer-based exam, as well as during candidate registration at either the manikin or patient-based exams. Once the identifications have been changed to reflect the new name, a Name Change Document must be uploaded in the candidate’s online profile. If your profile has already been verified, your profile will require re-verification in order to ensure that the documentation you uploaded is acceptable.
Once the correct documentation is uploaded, you must contact us to indicate that you are requesting that your name be changed and that you have uploaded the document to your profile.
Payments
For information concerning examination content and process, or to file an appeal of a score, please review the manuals here (Dental and Dental Hygiene) and then fill out the Score Certification and Appeal Form on our website here. For any further questions and additional information, please contact a team member.
Host schools charge for the use of their facility or may require a refundable deposit. Site usage fees must be paid to the school before you take the exam. The “Site Info Sheet” will provide detailed information about the facility fee and instruments provided by the school. You can download this information from the “calendar” tab on the CDCA-WREB-CITA main website.
* Please note: Some schools have requested the CDCA-WREB-CITA to collect the facility fee payment on their behalf. For those schools, the facility fees will be automatically added to the candidate account upon registration. If you have any questions, please Contact Us.
Payment by check must be received by the registration deadline.
Payable to: CDCA-WREB-CITA
Address: 1304 Concourse Drive, Suite 100
Linthicum, Maryland 21090
Note: Add your CDCA-WREB-CITA candidate # and the exam you are registering for
Attn: Jean Parker
You must include your name and the exam you are paying for in a letter that should go along with the check or money order. If a school is paying for several students, a list of all students’ names and exams must be included with the payment.
Please contact a team member if you have any questions.
The system is set up so payments must be made within 72 hours of registration. We cannot grant extensions. You will need to register again in the future.
No, our payment system cannot handle such transactions. Payment must be completed in full. We only accept Visa and Mastercard.
No, be sure that the cardholder name and billing address are accurate. Only Visa and Mastercard are accepted for payment.
For security reasons, we do not take payments over the phone. Please use the online registration service to complete your payment.
No, your exam fee covers malpractice insurance only for the examination.
Scores
For information concerning examination content and process, or to file an appeal of a score, please review the manuals here (Dental and Dental Hygiene) and then fill out the Score Certification and Appeal Form on our website here. For any further questions and additional information, please contact a team member.
The CDCA-WREB-CITA is not a licensing body; our role is to administer exams. When your scores are reported to you, they are also reported to all CDCA-WREB-CITA member state boards via an online database. After scores are reported, candidates should personally apply for their license with their state board.
Please note: If you are a graduate from a non-accredited school outside of US or Canada and took exams based on one State Board authorization, your scores will be reported to that State only.
New regulations state that exams are scored on a pass/fail basis only. Numeric scores are no longer issued.
The CDCA-WREB-CITA is required to report all scores we have on file including failures.
All scores, including computerized scores, are reported in your profile; you will receive an email when your results are posted. The CDCA-WREB-CITA cannot give scores out over the phone. Your scores are automatically reported to most jurisdictions via a secure online database.
Please click here to submit your request online.
All score release estimates are listed below. Scores can be viewed in your candidate online profile. You will receive an email when your scores have been posted.
Dental Hygiene Patient Treatment Clinical Examination Scores
- Scores are released approximately 2-3 business days after the exam.
Dental Hygiene Manikin Treatment Clinical Examination Scores
- Scores are released approximately 3 weeks after the exam.
Dental Perio/Restoratives Scores
- Scores are released approximately 2-3 business days after the exam.
Dental Endo/Pros Scores
- CIF Examinations endo and pros results are released approximately 3 weeks after the exam.
- Traditional exam endo and pros results are released approximately 3-4 weeks after the exam.
Computer-Based Examination Scores
- Scores for candidates taking any computer-based exam will be posted to your online profile approximately 5 business days after the exam.
Retakes
Candidates qualify for a complimentary retake if:
- They have registered for and paid the full exam fee and
- Any clinical exam sections were attempted on or after July 1, 2022
The complimentary retake includes one clinical section retake for a max of $1,125 for Dental and a max of $795 for Hygiene. This does not include computerized exams.
- For Hygiene exams, this includes the patient and/or simulated patient clinical exam.
- For dental exams, the following will be accepted as one complimentary retake:
- Endodontics and/or Prosthodontics
- Patient or Simulated Patient Periodontics
- Note that for the periodontal simulated patient exam, there will be a $200 Perio Typodont fee charged
- Patient or Simulated Patient Restorative
If you qualify for a complimentary retake, and the school you attend has a retake scheduled please wait one week as we will manually register you and adjust your fees. You will receive an email stating you have been registered for your retake and what your next steps are.
If you are not a current student or your school has not scheduled a retake, please submit a Contact Us request stating:
- What section(s) you would like to register for
- An open/available exam location
- The date of the exam
A representative will register you for the exam section and adjust your fees accordingly. You can also register for the exam section(s) yourself by logging into your account, but do NOT pay the fee. Once you are registered, our team will remove the fee from your account.
If you fail any one portion of the ADEX exam three times, you will have to take the entire exam over.
Log into your profile, click on the “Registration” tab, and register and pay for the exams you need to retake.
Click below to review exam fees:
Please contact a team member. Include documentation, such as a doctor’s note, accident report, family member’s death certificate, etc. If not available before the exam takes place, please send documentation as soon as possible after the exam. We will review your documentation and inform you of a final decision. If the documents provided are approved, we will carry the fees forward and you will be allowed to take the exam at a later date. Candidates may be required to pay a processing fee or a reduced fee, depending on the circumstances.
Yes, you will be responsible for paying the retake fee for portions of the exam you need to retake a second time.
Click on one of the links below to review exam fees:
Licensure Requirements
The CDCA-WREB-CITA does not issue Certificates.
The CDCA-WREB-CITA is not a licensing body; our role is to administer exams. When your scores are reported to you, they are also reported to all CDCA-WREB-CITA member state boards via an online database. After scores are reported, candidates should personally apply for their license with their state board.
Please note: If you are a graduate from a non-accredited school outside of US or Canada and took exams based on one State Board authorization, your scores will be reported to that State only.
Regulations state that exams are scored on a pass/fail basis only. Numeric scores are no longer issued.
We are unable to offer any assistance other than administering exams and reporting your scores. If you have any questions about licensure requirements, you must contact the State Dental Board directly.
The CDCA-WREB-CITA is required to report all scores we have on file including failures.
Those wishing to practice dentistry or dental hygiene must adhere to the requirements set forth by the state they wish to practice in. The CDCA-WREB-CITA cannot override state requirements.
Please review our Acceptance Map. This map is for illustrative purposes of the ADEX examination only and is updated with the intention of providing the most accurate information available. State laws/board rules can and do change from time to time. Prior to registering for any exam, you should check with the appropriate state board to verify current licensing requirements.
Miscellaneous
These are formats of the Dental exam; they cover identical material but are administered at different times. Traditional exams have all clinical portions taken over a two-day period. CIF exams have the clinical portions of the exam taken over a period of months and are open only to current students at their school (or residents, graduate students, and faculty at those schools who have received authorization from the school).
CIF exams are designed for current dental students at that particular school; residents, graduate students, or faculty at those schools, will require authorization from the school. In other cases, graduated dentists should register for Traditional format exams.
The CDCA-WREB-CITA is the name of our organization (CDCA-WREB-CITA). ADEX refers to the core Dental and Dental Hygiene exams we administer.
Once you take any portion of the exam, either Dental or Dental Hygiene, you have 18 months from that date to pass all portions. If you do not pass all portions within that period, or fail a section three times, you have to take the entire exam over.
To have CDCA-WREB-CITA status, you must take all portions of the ADEX exam through CDCA-WREB-CITA.
For information on the Patient Centered CIF Model ADEX Examination, please visit our Newsroom.
The National Board Examinations (NBDE or NBDHE) are not prerequisites for the ADEX/CDCA-WREB-CITA exams. However, you should contact your state board to see if they have any specific requirements for licensure.