Examination Process

General Information:
The Dental Anesthesiology Residency Graduate has six (6) years from the completion of residency training in which to apply for ADBA Candidate Status. The duration of candidate status is limited to six (6) years from the date of the first available written examination after application.

Every candidate is given two opportunities each calendar year to complete the written examination and one opportunity each calendar year for the oral examination. Examination dates and times are listed in Examination Dates. If the written examination or the oral examination is not successfully passed within three attempts, the candidate’s application is void. All candidates must satisfy the oral examination requirement within six years from the date of the first available written examination after application.

The written examination may be taken after successful completion of anesthesiology residency, providing all initial application criteria are met. Additionally, the written examination can be taken within six (6) months of anticipated residency completion if appropriate criteria are met. See Requirements for Examination.

The oral examination can be taken only after successful completion of the written examination. All candidates for the oral examination must have all documentation required as detailed in Requirements for Examination.

The written and oral examinations must be successfully completed within the 6 year time limitation or the application will be declared void. See Failure of Examinations for further information.

The Initial Application Process:
The candidate must submit the ADBA Initial Application for Certification, with supporting documentation and fees, within six (6) years of completion of residency training. If the candidate passes the written examination within the prescribed time frame, the candidate must then submit the ADBA Initial Application for Oral Examination, with appropriate fees, prior to the next available oral examination.

Filing and Documentation Deadlines:
The candidate must submit his/her application postmarked at least 60 (sixty) days prior to the date in which the examination will take place. For dates and times of upcoming examinations, see Examination Dates.

If the candidate is unable to take the examination for which they applied, they must notify the ADBA at least one week prior to the examination by contacting the Executive Director. Their application for examination will be voided and they must then apply for Repeat Examination. The missed examination will not be credited as a failure but will count against the six year limit for completion of the Board Certification process. Missed examinations due to emergency circumstances will be evaluated on a case by case basis.

Fees:
The ADBA is a non-profit organization and all fees are used to support the functions of the ADBA.

Fee Schedule

Initial Application & Written Examination $500
Application for Repeat Written Examination $250
Application for Initial Oral Examination $1000
Application for Repeat Oral Examination $500

The fee for Initial Application for Certification is five hundred dollars ($500.00) which permits entrance to the initial written examination. Full payment must be received with application within 60 days prior to the date in which the examination will take place. The application fee is non-refundable.

The fee for the Initial Application for Oral Examination is one thousand dollars ($1000.00) which permits entrance to the initial oral examination. Full payment must be received with application within 60 days prior to the date in which the examination will take place. The application fee is non-refundable.

The application fee for repeat examination will be 50% of the initial written or oral application fee as appropriate and is non-refundable.

Confirmation of acceptance for examination will be made once application is determined to be complete and fees have been paid. If further information is required, the applicant will be immediately notified. Notification may be made by phone and/or sent either electronically via email and/or by standard mail.

Results of Examination:
The results of examinations will be sent by mail to each candidate no later than sixty (60) following the examination.

Failure of Examinations:
If the candidate fails to pass the initial written examination, the ADBA Repeat Written Examination Application must be postmarked within 60 days prior to the date in which the examination will take place. The written examination may be re-taken up to two additional times. It is recommended that a comprehensive anesthesia review course be completed for those candidates who fail the written examination. If the written examination is not successfully passed within three attempts, the candidate’s application is void and they are not eligible for the oral examination.

If the candidate fails to pass their initial oral examination attempt, the ADBA Repeat Oral Examination Application must be postmarked within 60 days prior to the date in which the examination will take place. The oral examination may be re-taken up to two additional times, or within the total six year time limit, whichever comes first.

The ADBA will declare the candidate’s application void if the candidate does not satisfy the written or oral examination requirement within the prescribed number of attempts or both examinations within the 6 year time limitation, whichever comes first. In order to reapply for examination if the application is declared void, the candidate must complete a minimum of 6 months of continuous training in an anesthesia residency program acceptable to the Board. This training must include a significant component of anesthesia for dentistry, including nasal intubations and anesthesia for pediatric patients six years old and under. In addition, a letter from the Anesthesiology Residency Program Director with the institutional seal embossed stating that the resident has gained the clinical competence necessary to independently provide the full scope of anesthesiology services for dentistry must be provided. The candidate may then reapply for initial examination following all requirements and fee payments.

Appeals:
Individuals whose applications are denied or deferred, may appeal this decision to the Board. The appeal must be in writing and must be made within 30 days of notification of denial or deferral. The appeal should be sent to the ADBA Executive Director.

An applicant failing an examination by the American Dental Board of Anesthesiology has the right to appeal. The appeal must be in writing and must be made within 30 days of notification of failure. The appeal should be sent to the ADBA Executive Director.