Welcome to the Dental Board of California

Restorative Technique Examination

Examination Application Materials

Examination Schedule

The dates and locations are posted on the Board's Restorative Technique Examination Schedule web page.

Eligibility

All persons who have been issued a degree of doctor of dental medicine or doctor of dental surgery by a foreign dental school not approved by the Board or accredited by a body that has a reciprocal accreditation agreement with a commission or accreditation organization, and passed the National Board of Dental Examinations Part I and Part II by December 31, 2003. Individuals must have submitted evidence of passing Parts I & II of the NBDE to the Board by July 12, 2004 to be eligible to sit for the RT Examination.

National Boards

If I took National Boards Part I before December 31, 2003, and I took Part II in 2004, am I eligible for the RT exam? No. You must pass both National Board examinations by December 31, 2003 in order to establish eligibility.

Verifying that the Board received your Part I and Part II scores

The reference numbers of all eligible applicants are posted on the Board's web site.

Additional information to submit to the Board once the application deadline has been established

Eligible candidates must submit the following:
  • Completed Restorative Technique Application/Re-examination Application
  • Original Diploma and a copy of the Diploma (original will be returned)
  • Certification of Diploma Form
  • Original Transcript of the Academic and Clinical Dental School Record, and a copy of the transcript of the academic record ( original will be returned)
  • Certification of Academic Record Form
  • Certification of Translation Form
  • Out of State/Country Licensure Certification Form

Fees and information to submit to the Board once scheduled for the Restorative Technique examination

National Board scores

The National Board scores must have been submitted to the Dental Board no later than July 12, 2004. Applicants whose scores are received after July 12, 2004 are ineligible to take the RT exams.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long will the Board offer the Restorative Technique examination?
The Board has been authorized by statute to administer the Restorative Technique Examination until December 31, 2008.

How many candidates can be tested at each examination?
The Board can examine approximately 250 candidates per examination.

How many times may I take the Restorative Technique Examination?
You may take the examination four (4) times. Please note that the Restorative Technique examination is scheduled to end December 31, 2008, and as a result cannot guarantee that each candidate will have four (4) opportunities, although that is the goal of the Board.

When can I reapply if I fail an examination?
The law requires that you notify the Board in writing within 45 days that you wish to re-examine. You must submit a re-examination application within 45 days of the release of the exam scores.

What happens if I do not submit an application within 45 days of failing an exam?
You lose your eligibility and may not submit future applications.

What happens if I am scheduled to take the examination and fail to appear for the examination?
If you fail to appear for an examination for which you have been scheduled, the absence is counted as the equivalent of a failure of the examination.

Do I submit the application fee at the time the application is submitted to the Board?
No. You will not be required to submit any fees until you have been notified that you have been scheduled for examination.

What happens if I do not send my fee, but was scheduled to take the exam?
Failure to send the fee or sit for the exam is counted as the equivalent of a failure of the examination.

What will happen to my application if I am not selected for the next examination?
If you are not selected for the next examination, your application will be retained at the Board for a future examination, unless you request to have it returned.

If I am not eligible, what can I do?
In order to be eligible to take the California licensing examination, you will need to successfully complete an approved International Dental Studies Program. Approved programs are those accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation or approved by the Board. A list of approved programs is available through the American Dental Association's web site at www.ada.org. A post-graduate specialty or advanced program does not meet this requirement.

What if I want to re-take my National Board Exam Part I & II, to improve my scores?
You may re-take your National Board exam, but the Dental Board does not require you to submit the scores again since your eligibility has already been established.