The CRDTS examination is offered at multiple sites. For the exam schedules, see the Dental Exam or the Dental Hygiene Exam page.

There are several ways to get an application for the CRDTS exam.

• The Dental and Hygiene tabs contain an online application form that can be submitted to CRDTS. Once submitted, the confirmation page includes instructions to complete the application process. Applying online does not guarantee a space in the exam.
• The Dental and Hygiene tabs contain downloadable versions of the application materials. 
• You can call or fax CRDTS at the numbers listed on the site to request a copy of the application materials.

Note, however, that the application materials change each year. CRDTS does not take names and addresses for individuals requesting application materials until those materials are actually updated and ready.

All graduates of dental schools or dental hygiene programs which are accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Accreditation are eligible to take the examination. Also eligible are those candidates from accredited schools who have been certified by their Dean as being ready for graduation within 60 for dental hygiene or for dental candidates within 90 days of the date of the examination for which application is being made.
Non-accredited graduates applying for examination must be authorized to take the examination by at least one of the states in the Central Region. The results of examination for graduates of non-accredited dental colleges are received and recognized only by states that allow licensure of such non-accredited graduates. Therefore, non-accredited graduates will only be examined by CRDTS when they can show that such results will be received and recognized by one of the states participating in CRDTS.

All graduates of dental schools or dental hygiene programs which are accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Accreditation are eligible to take the examination. Also eligible are those candidates from accredited schools who have been certified by their Dean as being ready for graduation within 60 for dental hygiene or for dental candidates within 90 days of the date of the examination for which application is being made.

Non-accredited graduates applying for examination must be authorized to take the examination by at least one of the states in the Central Region. The results of examination for graduates of non-accredited dental colleges are received and recognized only by states that allow licensure of such non-accredited graduates. Therefore, non-accredited graduates will only be examined by CRDTS when they can show that such results will be received and recognized by one of the states participating in CRDTS.

Refunds will be made minus a $200 processing fee for dental /$100 processing fee for dental hygiene if notification of cancellation is received in the CRDTS Central Office 30 days prior to the first day of the examination. A 50% refund will be made if notification is made at least 6 business days prior to the examination. After that time, any cancellation will result in forfeiture of the entire examination fee. This policy applies to all cancellations, regardless of reason.

No. CRDTS is a testing agency only, and not a licensure or regulatory board. Although our exam results are used as part of the decision-making process for licensure, CRDTS is not directly involved in this process. For more information on the specific requirements for licensure in each of the CRDTS member states, you must contact each state's Dental Board. Contact information for these Dental Boards can be found on the Contact Page.

Click Here to enter On-line Score Report Request.
For non-recognizing jurisdictions and for score reports: Scores will be reported upon receipt of a written request signed by the candidate. Such request must include the following:

1. Candidate's name, mailing address and telephone number
2. Candidate's name at time of examination
3. Candidate's social security number
4. Year in which the CRDTS clinical examination was completed
5. Address to which the results are to be sent
6. $50 per each address to where the scores are to be forwarded

If the candidate wishes to have the Candidate's Manual sent along with the scores to provide an explanation of scores, the fee is an additional $25. An additional fee of $4 is charged to have the scores notarized. A credit card may be used when requesting a score report online. If a credit card is not used, fees must be remitted in the form of a cashier's check or money order. No personal checks will be accepted. Please contact the CRDTS Administrative Office for more information.

It is the candidates' responsibility to provide a copy of their examination score report to any state in which they are seeking licensure so that State Board can verify the candidates' scores against their master grade sheet received from CRDTS.

No scores will be released by telephone or any other source, and calling the Administrative Office will only delay the release of scores. Any address changes since the time of original application should be provided to the CRDTS' Administrative Office.

 

Integrated Format:
The Integrated Format is the pre-graduation examination offered to senior dental students and graduate students of record. The Integrated Format affords candidates the opportunity to successfully demonstrate critical clinical competence in basic clinical procedures required by CRDTS recognizing jurisdictions for licensure. The time-sequencing of this format provides for the opportunity to re mediate when necessary within the dental school curriculum as well as for timely issuance of licenses upon graduation.

Integrated Format versus Traditional Format:
Both the Integrated Format and Traditional Format examinations are identical in content, criteria and scoring. The major difference between the two formats is in the time-sequencing of how the examination is administered. The Traditional Format examination is administered in its entirety over the course of three days to all eligible candidates near the end of the academic year. The Integrated Format examination is administered in segments over the course of eight months to eligible dental students during their senior year or graduate program in dental school.

CRDTS maintains a complaint review process whereby a candidate may request a review of his/her individual examinations results. This is a formalized process conducted by a special committee whose charge is to review the facts to determine if the examiners' findings substantiate the results. A $250 filing fee will be charged by CRDTS to file and process a formal review petition. Click here to download form.

Please contact the licensing State Board to determine acceptance.

Retests - Parts II, III, IV & V: A score is reported for each of the conjunctive Parts of the CRDTS dental examination. If one or more Parts are failed, all procedures in that Part must be retaken, not just the procedures with deficient performance. Traditional candidates applying for re-examination must provide documentation that all school requirements have been completed and the candidate has graduated.

Retest opportunities for the Manikin and Patient-Based Examinations will be administered at select dental schools that may or may not be the candidate’s school of attendance. Candidates retaking Parts IV a nd V will adhere to the open schedule previously outlined. Candidates retaking Part IV or Part V only will have 3 hours to complete Part IV-Periodontal Examination and 6 hours to complete the Part V-Restorative Examination. Applicants from the school where the examination is administered receive priority for assignment to that site.

Candidates who are retaking the examination must fulfill current examination requirements since the examination format is periodically redesigned. In every instance of re-examination, the candidate must complete a new application and remit the current examination fee.

There is one comprehensive total score, based on 100 points, reported for the Dental Hygiene Examination. Information has been presented to the participating State Boards sufficient to support their determination that a total score of at least 75 points represents an acceptable demonstration of competence. All portions of the failed examination must be retaken, not just the procedures with deficient performance. The candidate applying for re-examination must provide documentation that all school requirements have been completed and the candidate has graduated.

It is the responsibility of each state or licensing jurisdiction to enforce its own remediation policy. There is no state which requires remediation after only one failure; some states may require remediation after two failures. Any candidate intending to seek licensure in one of the states that accepts the results of the CRDTS examination should check with the appropriate State Board regarding its remediation and re-examination requirements.

It is the responsibility of the candidate to obtain and complete all requirements for remedial education in accordance with the requirements of the licensing jurisdictions in which they seek to obtain licensure. Any candidate applying for re-examination should check with the appropriate State Board regarding its remediation and re-examination requirements. CRDTS does not assume any responsibility in providing this information or in monitoring the completion of such requirements prior to examination.

After three failures, CRDTS requires that the candidate submit documentation from a State which accepts the results of the CRDTS examination verifying that the candidate has completed remediation requirements for that state, and further that the state will accept the results of the candidate’s re-examination with CRDTS.

Candidates who are unsuccessful with the examination must submit a new application and pay the appropriate fee. Photos from a previous examination cannot be re-used and therefore new photos are required. Candidates applying for re-examination may submit 3 testing site choices and every attempt to honor those choices will be made; however, candidates who are re-testing may be assigned to a testing site designated by CRDTS.

Candidates who are retaking the examination must fulfill current examination requirements since the examination format is periodically redesigned. In every instance of re-examination, the candidate must complete a re-application and remit the current examination fee.

CRDTS provides approved, standardized floss sachets for the evaluation of interproximal contact on the Class III Composite Restoration:
POH LiteWax Percept 630 Black Floss in a convenient sachet unit www.oralhealthproducts.com