I’ve been a practicing dentist for over a decade, and I’ve watched generation after generation of dental students panic-Google their way through INBDE prep.
So instead of letting you sift through 47 different blog posts, 12 Reddit threads, and that one classmate who “swears they know a shortcut,” I’ve put everything you need right here.
It’s skimmable. Clear. With no fluff. Let’s get into your most-asked questions.
The Integrated National Board Dental Examination is the U.S. licensure exam required to practice dentistry.
It’s one exam. Two days. ~500 questions.
It replaced NBDE Part I and II in 2020. (See discontinuation notice)
Think of it as the national safety filter. If you pass, you’ve proven you can think like a competent, ethical dentist.
The U.S. takes dental patient safety seriously (as we should). The US wants to make sure only the “right” people get to perform dentistry. The INBDE is a way the US can identify who the “right” people are.
You’ll need the INBDE if you’re:
No INBDE = No license. No exceptions.
The JCNDE, which operates under the American Dental Association (ADA).
This is the official source of truth (JCNDE).
Two days. About 12–13 hours total.
Day 1:
360 standalone multiple-choice questions
Day 2:
140 case-based questions with patient scenarios
It’s a marathon, not a sprint—more like running two 10Ks back-to-back than a single 5K.
Around 500 total questions.
The exact number may vary slightly year to year.
Short answer: Yes.
But not because it’s trying to trick you. JCNDE is trying to weed out book worms who can memorize vs. those who could actually practice dentistry. It is meant to be hard.
The INBDE is difficult because it tests:
If you study the right way—focusing on concepts, not memorization—you’ll be fine.
The INBDE blueprint tests your ability to integrate biomedical, clinical, and behavioral sciences.
Topics include:
Official blueprint:
https://jcnde.ada.org/en/inbde/inbde-test-specifications
Standalone items:
Classic MCQs—choose the best answer.
Case-based items:
You’ll review patient histories, radiographs, symptoms, charting, and decide what’s clinically appropriate.
Example:
A 54-year-old patient with controlled Type II diabetes comes in with a draining sinus tract on #19… what do you do?
Your ability to integrate pathology, radiology, endo, ethics, and pharmacology all collide in one question.
Pass/Fail.
Behind the scenes, your score ranges from 49–99, and 75 is passing.
You don’t see your number—you only see pass or fail.
No.
Once you pass, your INBDE score is valid for life.
Some dental schools may prefer recent scores for admissions, but licensing boards do not require retesting.
Typically 2–3 weeks.
You’ll get an email the moment they’re ready.
Most students study 3–6 months.
Longer if you’re:
Shorter if you’re:
Here’s what works (and what I’ve seen actually move the needle):
Start here:
→ https://jcnde.ada.org/en/inbde/inbde-test-specifications
3–6 months, 2–4 hours/day, plus mock exams.
The INBDE tests how well you think clinically—not how fast you can memorize 1,000 pharmacology flashcards.
The more you train your clinical reasoning, the more confident you’ll feel.
Simulate the INBDE exam with the exact timing and pressure.
You can retake it, but there are rules.
The JCNDE requires:
Full policy:
Read the full policy here.
Failing doesn’t mean you can’t be a dentist. It means you need a different study strategy.
Yes, absolutely.
People from India, Pakistan, Australia, Canada, the U.K and all over the world can apply.
You’ll need:
Note: Many advanced standing programs require INBDE scores as part of admissions.
→ https://www.ada.org/en/education-careers/dentpin
Through your dental school or the JCNDE.
Submit required documents + fee. The fee is different depending on several factors.
The exams have year-round availability.
Usually $680–$750, depending on testing location and fees.
2025 INBDE Examination Fees, see page 24.
It’s year-round. Schedule whenever you are ready.
The INBDE does not have fixed national dates. You pick a date through Prometric once your application is approved.
See ADA information and Prometric notes.
Yes.
Prometric offers optional breaks between sections. Use them. Stretch, breathe, hydrate.
Yes.
Students with documented disabilities can request accommodations through the ADA.
Your primary sources:
Dr. Andries Smith founded Dental Panda in 2020. As an immigrant to the United States, he had to take the INBDE exam, even though he was practicing for over 10 years.
Andries noticed INBDE prep course companies were putting profit over students, taking advantage of them in the process. With his expertise and experience he saw an opportunity to shake up INBDE exam prep industry, by making his course 100% free.
Get ready for the INBDE with our 100% free study material and prep assistant tool. No strings attached.
Think you are ready for the INBDE? Take the INBDE exam simulator and see if you can pass.
