The Integrated National Board Dental Examination (INBDE®) is the current national licensing exam for dental students in the United States. It replaced the two-part National Board Dental Examination (NBDE®) system, with the INBDE® fully replacing NBDE Part I and Part II as of August 2020 and 2022 respectively. Administered by the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations (JCNDE), a standing committee of the American Dental Association (ADA), the INBDE® assesses your ability to integrate and apply biomedical, clinical, and behavioral science knowledge to patient-centered dental care. This page covers the exam format, how it differs from the old NBDE®, scoring, preparation strategies, and recommended resources.

Transition from NBDE to INBDE

The old NBDE® system consisted of two separate exams: Part I, taken after the second year of dental school and focused on basic biomedical sciences, and Part II, taken in the fourth year and focused on clinical sciences. The INBDE® consolidated these into a single integrated exam that tests both foundational and clinical knowledge simultaneously. This change reflected a recognition that clinical practice requires integrating basic science with clinical reasoning rather than testing them in isolation. If you are currently in dental school, you will take the INBDE®. References to the “NBDE” in older study materials or conversations with practicing dentists refer to the previous exam format. While some content overlaps, the INBDE® question format and emphasis on integration are substantially different.

Exam Format and Structure

The INBDE® is a two-day, computer-based exam. Day 1 consists of approximately 200 questions across multiple blocks, and Day 2 consists of another approximately 200 questions, for a total of roughly 400 items. The exam includes standalone multiple-choice questions and case-based item sets where multiple questions are linked to a single patient scenario. You have a total testing time of approximately 8 to 9 hours per day, including breaks.

Content is organized into nine foundational science domains (anatomic sciences, biochemistry and nutrition, microbiology and immunology, pathology, pharmacology, physiology, dental anatomy and occlusion, growth and development, and research methodology) and four clinical science domains (oral diagnosis and treatment planning, preventive dentistry and public health, operative and restorative dentistry, and patient management including ethics and behavioral science). The hallmark of the INBDE® is integration: questions frequently require you to connect basic science knowledge to clinical scenarios, identify underlying pathological mechanisms, and determine appropriate treatment approaches.

Eligibility, Registration, and Scoring

You are eligible to take the INBDE® after completing your second year of dental school at a CODA-accredited program, though the exact timing varies by school. Registration is managed through the JCNDE/ADA website. The exam fee is approximately $545 for first-time takers. You can retake the exam if you do not pass, with a waiting period between attempts. The INBDE® is scored as pass or fail with no numeric score reported. Results are typically released approximately 3 to 5 weeks after the exam. Passing the INBDE® is required for dental licensure in all U.S. states and territories, though most states also require additional clinical and jurisprudence exams.

How to Prepare

Most dental students dedicate 4 to 8 weeks of focused study to INBDE® preparation. Because the exam integrates basic science with clinical knowledge, your preparation should reflect this integration. Simply reviewing preclinical lecture notes is not sufficient; you need to practice applying that knowledge to patient scenarios. Start by taking a diagnostic practice exam to identify your baseline and your weakest content areas. Build your study plan around those weaknesses while maintaining review of stronger areas. Allocate more time to high-weight areas such as pathology, pharmacology, and oral diagnosis.

Recommended Study Resources (Free First)

ADA/JCNDE Official Resources (Free): The JCNDE publishes an INBDE® Guide on the ADA website that includes the content outline, sample questions, and exam format information. Review this guide before beginning your preparation. It is the authoritative source for what the exam covers.

Khan Academy® (Free): Khan Academy® offers free content covering biochemistry, microbiology, immunology, and physiology. While not dental-specific, these resources are useful for reviewing biomedical concepts. See our Khan Academy® guide.

OpenStax Textbooks (Free): Free textbooks in biology, anatomy and physiology, chemistry, and microbiology from OpenStax can supplement your foundational science review. See our free textbooks page.

Anki Flashcard Decks (Free): Community-created INBDE® Anki decks cover high-yield topics across both basic and clinical sciences. Use spaced repetition daily. See our spaced repetition guide.

Question Banks (Paid): Several companies offer INBDE®-specific question banks. Prioritize those using integrated, case-based questions matching the exam format. We do not recommend specific products and do not place affiliate links.

Study Strategies

Integrate, Do Not Isolate: Study basic science and clinical science together. When reviewing pharmacology, connect each drug to clinical conditions it treats. When studying pathology, connect each condition to its clinical presentation and treatment. This mirrors how the exam tests you.

Practice Case-Based Questions: The INBDE® relies heavily on patient-centered case scenarios. Practice reading patient histories, reviewing findings and radiographs, and answering multi-part questions that build on the same case. Develop a systematic approach to case analysis.

High-Yield Focus Areas: Pathology, pharmacology, oral diagnosis, treatment planning, and anatomy (especially head and neck anatomy, tooth morphology, and occlusion) are consistently high-yield. Biochemistry and microbiology also appear regularly, particularly regarding oral disease mechanisms and antimicrobial therapy.

For career context, see our dentist career profile. For admissions guidance, see our DAT® preparation guide and AADSAS® application guide.

Test Day Preparation: Arrive at the testing center at least 30 minutes before your scheduled start time with valid government-issued photo ID. The INBDE® is a two-day exam, so plan your logistics for both days, including meals, transportation, and rest. Bring permitted snacks and drinks for breaks. Pace yourself carefully through each block; with approximately 200 questions per day across multiple blocks, you need to maintain consistent focus over an extended testing period. Flag difficult questions and return to them if time permits within each block.

Between Day 1 and Day 2, resist the urge to study intensively. Review your notes briefly if it helps you feel prepared, but prioritize sleep, hydration, and a light dinner. Your performance on Day 2 depends as much on your rest as on your knowledge. The questions across both days are designed to assess the same integrated skill set, so your preparation carries forward.

After the Exam: Results are released approximately 3 to 5 weeks after the exam. If you pass, you can proceed with your state-level clinical and jurisprudence exams. If you do not pass, contact your dental school’s academic support office to discuss retake options and develop a targeted study plan. Most students who adjust their preparation strategy and focus on their weakest areas pass on a subsequent attempt.

Because the INBDE® is a relatively new exam, the pool of available study resources is still evolving. Older NBDE® Part I and Part II materials can be useful for content review, but they do not match the integrated, case-based format of the INBDE®. When using older resources, treat them as content review tools and supplement with case-based practice from INBDE®-specific sources. Pay particular attention to any content areas that have been added or restructured in the INBDE® content outline compared to the old NBDE® blueprint. Your dental school faculty and upperclassmen who have recently taken the INBDE® are valuable sources of advice on which resources matched the actual exam experience most closely.

References

Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations (JCNDE). “Integrated National Board Dental Examination (INBDE).” ADA, 2025. https://www.ada.org/education/testing/inbde. Accessed March 2026.
Khan Academy. “Science.” Khan Academy, 2025. https://www.khanacademy.org/science. Accessed March 2026.
OpenStax. “Free Textbooks.” Rice University, 2025. https://openstax.org/. Accessed March 2026.