Application Policies & Procedures

Application Process

You can choose to apply for a WREB exam online or by mail-in application.  Applications are processed on a first come, first serve basis, but online applications will receive priority over mail-in applications.  You must select to enroll completely online or completely by paper with a mail-in application.  See below for explanations of the two processes.

Space in all exams is limited. Once the maximum number of applicants is accepted, additional applications are given a wait-list status (see below). This often happens prior to the application deadline. If you wish to be accepted for an exam, you should apply early. Also, rarely, exams having an insufficient number of candidates by the application deadline may be canceled. If this happens, each candidate receives a full refund of the exam fee. Once an application is submitted and processed, it is considered a contract with WREB. If no space is available, the application and full exam fee (including the late fee) are returned.   Each Candidate is allowed to be registered for no more than 2 exams at a time (including wait-list). If you fail to fulfill all requirements of the application, or are unable to take the exam, the Refunds and Cancellations Policy applies.

Online Applications

In order to apply online, you must pay with a credit card, upload a digital photo and digitally sign the WREB policy agreement. The only paperwork that will need to be submitted to WREB is the proof of qualification which can be submitted at a later time, but no later than three weeks prior to the exam, or you will be cancelled from the exam and no refund will be given. (See below for more information about the proof of qualification.)

Applying online does not guarantee a space in the exam.  It is your responsibility to ensure that all application requirements are met.  Applications will remain in a pending status until your information is reviewed by WREB staff.  We must ensure that your information is complete and that your photo meets the required specifications.  Only then can your status be determined.  We will notify you of your status by email as soon as possible, but please allow up to 14 days for processing.

Mail-in Applications

To apply by mail, you must download the Mail-in Application. Your application should be mailed to the WREB office along with your two photos, exam payment (certified check, cashier’s check or money order only) and the signed General Information/Policy Agreement.  Your proof of qualification to take the exam may be submitted at a later time, but no later than three weeks before the first day of the exam, or you will be cancelled from the exam and no refund will be given.  (See below for more information about the proof of qualification.)

Proof of Qualification

In order to take the WREB dental exam, you must provide proof of qualification.  You may be enrolled in an exam prior to providing this document, but the proof of qualification must be received in the WREB office no later than three weeks prior to the exam or you will be cancelled from the exam and no refund will be given.    You will not receive your clinical schedule until the proof of qualification is received.  Any one of the following documents may be submitted:

  1. A photocopy of your diploma showing a DDS or DMD degree from an ADA accredited dental school.  Post graduate certificates are not acceptable.
  2. A letter on school letterhead from an ADA accredited dental school stating that you received a DDS or DMD from that school.  The letter must include the date the DDS or DMD was earned.
  3. A copy of your transcript from an ADA accredited dental school listing a DDS or DMD and the date earned.
  4. If you are a foreign-trained graduate or a graduate of a non-accredited dental school, you must provide a letter from the state dental board in which you are seeking licensure.  The letter must be an original, with the state seal affixed and must verify that you are eligible to take the WREB exam.  See our List of States Accepting WREB for state board contact information.
  5. If you are a senior dental student in your final semester (does not apply to post-graduate studies), you can provide a completed Certification for Graduating Seniors Form.  The form must be an original copy signed by your dean and must have the school seal affixed. 

Note: WREB is a testing agency.  We do not handle licensing.  Proof of graduation must be provided to individual states in order for you to receive a license.  Some state boards may have more stringent requirements.  Contact the state board where you wish to practice to obtain its licensure requirements.

Exam Fees

Full Exam

WREB is a not-for-profit organization. Fees from the exams support the mission of WREB. The fee required to take the WREB dental exam includes a determined amount for WREB expenses and a per-candidate fee assessed by the dental schools.
WREB's base fee for the full clinical dental exam is $1,600. However, the exam fee listed in the “2010 Dental Exam Location, Dates and Fees” is the amount required to cover expenses for both WREB and the dental school. Fees will vary by exam site. 
There will be separate charges of $195 for the CSW Periodontal and Prosthodontics computer exam and $50 for the PATP exam.  These fees will be paid directly to Pearson VUE at the time you make your appointments with them.

Section Exams (Re-takes Only)


Section

Payable to WREB

Payable to Pearson VUE

Operative

$1,380

N/A

Endodontics

$800

N/A

Periodontal

$950

$150

Prosthodontics

$300

$150

PATP

$350

$50

Fees for individual sections are the same for all sites.  WREB’s refunds and cancellations policy applies.  If applying after the application deadline, the $100 late fee must be included.

If a candidate is taking two sections of the clinical exam at the same site, they will pay the lesser of:
1.   The two section fees combined; or
2.   The full exam fee. (This only applies if the online application for both sections is submitted at the same time. If you apply for the two sections separately, you will be charged the full section fees for each.)
The Pearson VUE charge for one section (retakes only), Periodontal or Prosthodontics is $150. The Pearson VUE charge for a PATP retake exam is $50.00.

Fees for online applications are payable by credit card only.  Fees for mail-in applications are payable by certified check, cashier's check, or money order only, payable to WREB. Payment by credit card is only available for online applications.

Late Applications (Applications Submitted after the Application Deadline)

The application deadline is the same whether you register online or apply by mail. 
If you apply online after the application deadline, a $100 late fee will automatically be added to your credit card payment.
If you apply by mail, you should plan to do so ahead of the application deadline so that all required items are in the WREB office on the deadline.  If we do not receive your exam fee(s), information form, signed policy agreement and pictures in our office on or before the application deadline date, you will be charged a $100 late fee.  Your application will not be processed until we receive the $100 late fee.  For mail-in applications, the late fee is payable by certified check, cashier's check, or money order only. 

Late applications are processed on a space-available basis. If no space is available, you will be offered a spot on the wait list. (Please see the Wait-List section below.) Your proof of qualification to take the exam must be submitted to WREB no later than 3 weeks before the first day of the exam, or you will be cancelled from the exam and no refund will be given.  At that time, the exam is officially closed and no further applications will be accepted.

Wait-List

If the exam you wish to register for is on a wait-list status, you may still register for the exam. Once your application is received in the WREB office, your application will be processed for a wait-list status or given a place in the exam, if there is space available. An e-mail will be sent notifying you of your place on the wait-list. You will have 48 hours to respond with your choice of one of three options: Remain on the wait-list, transfer to another exam or cancel your application and receive a full refund.  If you decide to stay on the wait-list, you will remain there until three weeks before the first day of the exam.  Anyone left on the wait-list on that day will receive a full refund.

Re-Examination

If three or more sections of the exam are failed, the entire exam (5 sections) must be retaken.  Failure of one to two sections allows the opportunity to retake just the failed sections, within twelve months. You may apply for re-examination by following the same application process described above.  If you applied online for your first exam, you will have the option of using your log-in to re-apply. If you choose to re-apply online, you will not have to re-enter your personal information or upload a new photograph. Your log-in and photo will only be valid for the calendar year in which you created/uploaded them.  After that, you will need to create a new log-in and upload a new photo. In some cases, a new proof of qualification may also be required.  If you need to update your personal information, you will need to contact the WREB office in writing (email will suffice).

Candidates who fail the periodontal section must retake both the clinical and the computerized portions.

If the full exam or a section is failed three times, remediation must be completed before the exam may be retaken a fourth time.  You must contact the WREB office to have your remediation hours calculated.  Once remediation is completed and approved by the WREB office, the entire exam must be retaken.

WREB strongly discourages candidates from applying for re-examination prior to receiving their results from the first exam. Please call our office prior to going online and applying for another exam if you have not received your results.  If you choose to apply prior to receiving your results, you will be subject to cancellation fees if you must be switched from a full exam to a section exam, or from one section to another.

Note:  State board restrictions may apply if you have failed an exam two or more times.  Contact the state dental board in the state where you plan to practice for its requirements.

Refunds and Cancellations

It is your responsibility to ensure that a cancellation notice is received in the WREB office by the application deadline. A cancellation notice may be sent by e-mail, fax or mail. Postmark dates are insufficient and telephone cancellations are not accepted. Exam fees cannot be transferred to a later exam. Candidates must cancel out of one exam and reapply for a subsequent exam. Once an applicant has submitted an application for an exam, the following refunds and cancellation policies apply.

  1. A written cancellation received in the WREB office before or on the application deadline date receives a full refund minus a $250 processing fee per exam.
  2. A written cancellation received in the WREB office after the application deadline and up to three weeks prior to the first day of the exam receives a 50% refund per exam.
  3. If the required items to complete the application are not in the WREB office by three weeks prior to the first day of the exam, you forfeit your place in the exam and receive no refund.
  4. A written cancellation received in the WREB office after three weeks prior to the first day of the exam receives no refund.

Exceptions may be made only in the case of a documented medical emergency occurring within three weeks prior to the first day of the exam. In such cases, 50% of the exam fee may be transferred to a future exam within the next 12 months, upon receipt of appropriate documentation of the medical emergency and approval by the WREB Board or Executive Committee. Contact the WREB office or see the Medical Emergency Cancellation Policy.

Candidate Guide

The 2010 Dental Candidate Guide provides information on exam procedures and scoring criteria. Once your application is processed and you are enrolled, a guide will be mailed to you. The 2010 Dental Candidate Guide can be viewed online as a “read-only” document or you can download it anytime. Keep in mind that it contains more than 100 pages and will necessitate a substantial amount of disk space.

Persons with Disabilities

WREB makes every reasonable effort to offer the exam in a manner accessible to persons with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require special accommodations due to a disability, contact the WREB office or download the Special Accommodations Information and Special Accommodations Request Form. The appropriate professional (physician, psychologist, etc.) must complete the form specifying the accommodation requested and attesting to the need. This must be received in the WREB office no later than 45 days prior to the exam.

If patients need special facilities due to wheelchairs, etc., notify WREB at the time of application. Patients in wheelchairs must be able to move from wheelchairs to the examining chairs. Patient accommodations will vary from site to site, so individual special requests cannot be guaranteed.

Left-Hand Operatory

If you would like a left-hand operatory, indicate this when applying online or check the box on the General Information/Policy Agreement form if applying by mail. If the school has left-hand operatories available, WREB does its best to accommodate the request, but cannot guarantee availability of left-hand operatories.

Equipment

You must furnish all instruments and equipment, including high and low-speed hand pieces. Equipment may be available to rent at some exam sites. Certain expendable materials are furnished to candidates. Details are covered in the School Information for Candidates and in the 2010 Dental Candidate Guide.

Malpractice Insurance

CNA Insurance Company, through the Professional Protector Plan in cooperation with WREB, will extend WREB professional liability coverage with the limit amounts of $1,000,000/$3,000,000 for the patient-based portion of the calendar year 2010 dental exam at no charge to you. WREB will forward the names and addresses of all candidates to CNA.