How to Become a Dentist in Virginia: Your Complete Guide
Virginia — the Commonwealth — is a state of remarkable range. From the political energy of the DC suburbs to the historic streets of Richmond, the college towns of the Shenandoah Valley, the coastal communities of Hampton Roads, and the rural landscapes of Southwest Virginia, the state offers dentists a breadth of practice environments that few states can rival. Backed by a strong and growing population, a well-established healthcare infrastructure, and one of the oldest dental schools in the country, Virginia is a place where a dental career can take almost any shape you want it to. Here’s your complete guide to earning a dental license in the Commonwealth.
Step-by-Step Path to Licensure
1. Complete Your Undergraduate Education Begin with a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. While dental schools accept applicants from any major, the most competitive candidates typically hold degrees in science-related fields — biology, chemistry, biochemistry, health sciences, or a dedicated pre-dental program. Regardless of your major, you will need to complete a standard set of prerequisite courses required by most accredited dental schools. These typically include general biology with lab, general chemistry with lab, organic chemistry with lab, physics with lab, biochemistry, mathematics, and English composition. A science GPA of 3.5 or higher is generally expected by competitive programs, and dental school admissions committees review your academic record with care — so treat these foundational courses as the first step in your professional training.
2. Take the Dental Admission Test (DAT) The DAT is administered by the American Dental Association (ADA) and is required for admission to all accredited dental schools. It covers natural sciences, perceptual ability, reading comprehension, and quantitative reasoning. Most competitive applicants aim for a score of 19 or higher. The exam is available year-round at Prometric testing centers, and most students invest six months to a year of structured, focused preparation before sitting for it. Beginning your preparation after completing your core science prerequisites gives you the strongest possible academic foundation going in.
3. Apply to and Complete Dental School Apply through the Associated American Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS) to accredited Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) programs. Both degrees are clinically equivalent. Dental school is a four-year commitment: the first two years establish your biomedical science foundation in classroom and preclinical settings, while the final two years shift to direct patient care and the development of clinical competency across all disciplines of general dentistry. Virginia has one accredited dental school, and dentists who complete their training at accredited programs in other states are equally welcome to pursue licensure in the Commonwealth.
4. Pass the National Board Examination All dental graduates must pass the Integrated National Board Dental Examination (INBDE) before entering practice. This comprehensive written exam evaluates knowledge across the full breadth of dental disciplines and replaced the older two-part NBDE structure. Most students complete the INBDE during the final year of dental school.
5. Pass a Regional Clinical Examination Virginia requires candidates to pass a regional clinical examination from an accepted provider. Currently recognized options include the CDCA (Commission on Dental Competency Assessments) and the SRTA (Southern Regional Testing Agency). These exams assess hands-on competency in real patient care scenarios and are administered by regional testing agencies. Confirm which clinical exams are currently accepted by the Virginia Board of Dentistry at the time you apply, as approved providers can change.
6. Complete the Virginia Jurisprudence Examination In addition to national and clinical examinations, Virginia requires candidates to pass the Virginia Jurisprudence Examination, which tests knowledge of the Commonwealth’s dental practice act and the regulations governing the profession. This is a Virginia-specific requirement and must be completed as part of the licensure process.
7. Apply for Licensure with the Virginia Board of Dentistry Once your exams are complete, submit your application to the Virginia Board of Dentistry with all required documentation — including official transcripts, examination scores, a criminal background check, proof of current CPR or BLS certification, and applicable fees. Review the Board’s requirements carefully and ensure your application is thorough and complete before submitting to avoid unnecessary delays in processing.
8. Maintain Your License Through Continuing Education Virginia requires licensed dentists to complete 15 hours of continuing education (CE) annually to maintain active licensure. Required CE must include CPR certification, infection control, opioid prescribing, and dental practice act review. Additional CE hours can be fulfilled through accredited dental associations, university-sponsored programs, professional conferences, and a wide range of approved online platforms.
Dental Schools in Virginia
Virginia is home to one accredited dental school — and it is an institution with more than 130 years of history shaping the state’s dental profession.
Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry — Richmond, VA Established in 1893, the VCU School of Dentistry is one of the oldest dental schools in the United States and the Commonwealth’s sole dental training institution. It offers a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree, admits approximately 100 students per year, and is housed within VCU Health — one of the Mid-Atlantic region’s premier academic medical centers. The school is recognized for its rigorous clinical training, strong research programs, advanced technology integration, and active community outreach initiatives that extend care to underserved populations across the Richmond area and beyond.
Students at VCU benefit from access to state-of-the-art clinical facilities, a diverse and substantial patient population in a major urban center, and a full range of specialty programs for those who wish to pursue advanced training within the same institution. For students interested in academic dentistry or clinical research, VCU’s position within a comprehensive research university provides genuine opportunities to contribute to the advancement of the field.
Dentists who complete their training at accredited programs outside Virginia are equally welcome to pursue licensure in the Commonwealth — and the state’s size, population, and proximity to the DC metro area make it a consistent draw for out-of-state graduates.
Additional Considerations
Residency Programs A residency is not required for general dentistry licensure in Virginia, but completing a General Practice Residency (GPR) or Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) program is a meaningful investment for many new graduates. These programs develop advanced clinical skills across a broader range of procedures and are particularly valuable for dentists planning to work in hospital systems, federally qualified health centers, or community-based settings where clinical versatility is expected from the outset.
Specialization If a dental specialty appeals to you — orthodontics, periodontics, endodontics, pediatric dentistry, oral and maxillofacial surgery, prosthodontics, or another recognized field — plan for two to three additional years of post-doctoral specialty training beyond dental school. These programs are highly competitive, and board certification in your specialty is increasingly expected by both employers and patients across the profession. VCU offers specialty programs across multiple disciplines, making it a strong option for Virginia-based students who want to remain in the Commonwealth for their advanced training.
Loan Repayment Assistance Dental education represents a significant financial investment, but Virginia offers meaningful pathways to relief for dentists who commit to serving underserved communities. Federal programs through the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) provide loan repayment assistance for dentists practicing in designated Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) — and Virginia has qualifying sites across its rural regions and in certain urban underserved areas. State-level programs are also available and worth researching well before graduation so they can inform your early career decisions.
Licensure by Credentials Dentists who are already licensed and practicing in good standing in another state may be eligible to apply for Virginia licensure through a credentials-based pathway. This can significantly streamline the process for experienced practitioners relocating to the Commonwealth — a common occurrence given Virginia’s proximity to Washington, DC and its consistent draw for professionals from across the region.
Rural and Underserved Practice Despite its concentration of wealth and population in the Northern Virginia and Richmond corridors, Virginia has extensive rural communities — particularly in the Southwestern and Southside regions — where access to dental care is a persistent and serious challenge. Dentists willing to establish practices in these areas frequently find reduced competition, strong patient loyalty, deep community integration, and access to loan repayment programs that urban practitioners simply cannot tap into. For dentists motivated by both professional stability and meaningful public health impact, Virginia’s rural communities offer both in abundance.
The Northern Virginia and DC Market For dentists drawn to high-density urban and suburban practice, Northern Virginia represents one of the most professionally dynamic dental markets in the country. The region’s affluent, highly educated, and rapidly growing population creates consistent demand across all areas of dentistry — from general practice and family dentistry to cosmetic, implant, and specialty care. Competition is real in this market, but so is the opportunity for dentists who position themselves well and build strong patient relationships.
Military and Federal Practice Virginia’s proximity to the Pentagon, the numerous military installations across the Hampton Roads region, and the broader federal government presence in the DC suburbs creates meaningful opportunities for dentists interested in military or federal civilian dental careers. The Army, Navy, and Air Force all maintain significant dental operations in Virginia, and VA medical centers across the state employ civilian dental professionals as well. For dentists interested in structured employment with federal benefits and loan repayment eligibility, these pathways deserve serious consideration.
Professional Community Joining the Virginia Dental Association (VDA) — ideally as a student member during dental school — is one of the most valuable investments you can make in your long-term professional development. The VDA provides continuing education, legislative advocacy, peer networking, and mentorship programs that support dentists at every stage of their careers. Component dental societies across the state, local study clubs, and volunteer opportunities at free dental clinics offer additional avenues to build your professional reputation and your community presence.
Final Thoughts
The road to becoming a dentist in Virginia demands years of serious preparation, rigorous clinical training, and a deliberate approach to licensure and career planning. But the Commonwealth that awaits you at the end of that process is one with genuine depth and genuine opportunity — a state where the full range of what a dental career can look like is available to practitioners willing to pursue it.
Whether you train at VCU School of Dentistry or arrive with your degree from an accredited program elsewhere, you’ll find a professional community that is engaged and supportive, and a patient population — from the mountains of the Southwest to the shores of the Chesapeake — that needs and values the care you provide. With careful planning, strong preparation, and a clear sense of purpose, a dental career in the Commonwealth of Virginia is not just achievable. It is worth every step of the journey to get there.