Certification FAQs

Am I eligible to apply for board certification?

To be eligible, a pediatric dentist must provide evidence of one of the following: 

• Completion of or in the final year of an advanced education in pediatric dentistry residency program which is approved by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) or the Commission of Dental Accreditation of Canada (CDAC). 

• Completion of or in the final year of an advanced placement program in pediatric dentistry which is approved by Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) or the Commission of Dental Accreditation of Canada (CDAC).  

International pediatric dental residency programs are not accepted.     

Why do I have to apply for Board Candidacy?

Only individuals who have completed an accredited advanced education program in pediatric dentistry are educationally qualified to pursue board certification. ABPD must verify each Board Candidate’s credentials in order to allow them to fully participate in the certification process.

As a courtesy, ABPD allows those nearing the end of their residencies to participate in the Qualifying Examination (QE) before they are officially “qualified by credentials.” Advanced education is required by the National Commission on Recognition of Dental Specialties and Certifying Boards to become board certified; therefore, we must confirm eligibility prior to releasing results.

As an individual taking the QE while I am still a resident or a first-time applicant, when can I apply for Board Candidacy?

After taking the QE, you have until December 30 of that year to apply for Board Candidacy. If you do not complete your application by then, your QE score will be invalidated and you will need to retake and pass the examination to qualify to register for the Oral Clinical Examination. 

Why does the examination cost $800?

There are substantial costs associated with the development of the QE.  The development  requires input from many pediatric dentists serving as subject matter experts in addition to  credentialing specialists, including psychometricians.  

A practice analysis is done approximately every five years to determine the domains and tasks  that will be covered on the examination. A psychometric consultant leads this process. Psychometricians measure the validity, reliability, and fairness of an exam program, and are an integral part of the process of creating valid and reliable certification examinations. They are involved in all aspects of the development of the program, such as defining the knowledge, skills, and abilities that the exam is designed to measure. 

Pediatric dentists serve as subject matter experts for the annual development of the content for the examination, i.e. writing each item for the examination. ABPD feels that it is important to develop high-quality new items for the examination each year. 

 The examination items go through a review process that includes additional subject matter experts and a review by a psychometrician before the examination is compiled. Although the pediatric dentists serve as volunteers, travel expenses for volunteers who attend in-person meetings are covered by ABPD. 

Following the examination, the examination results are analyzed by a psychometrician to determine items that may have more than one correct answer and to identify item performance. Pre-test items that perform well may be included in future examinations.  

A standard setting, which uses pediatric dentists as subject matter experts, is led by a psychometrician to determine the passing standard for the QE as a criterion referenced pass point. 

What is the difference between the CODA standards and the blueprint for the examination? Why are they not the same?

The Commission on Dental Accreditation serves the public and dental professions by developing and implementing accreditation standards that promote and monitor the continuous quality and improvement of dental education programs. Maintaining and improving the quality of advanced dental education programs is a primary aim of the Commission on Dental Accreditation. CODA defines that the curriculum must provide the opportunity to extend the student’s/resident’s diagnostic ability, basic and advanced clinical knowledge and skills, and critical judgment beyond that provided in predoctoral education. The program must also provide experience in closely related areas to ensure that students/residents become competent in comprehensive care. CODA determines what instruction must be provided.   

ABPD assesses an individual’s knowledge and skills, defined by the practice analysis. The intent of the ABPD initial certification process is to assess the use of specialized knowledge and skills, clinical reasoning, communication, and professionalism required of entry-level pediatric dentists for safe and effective practice.  

Why is the examination given at a testing center? Why can’t I just take the exam on my home computer?

Due to the significant resources, including time and money that are used in the examination process, it is important that there is security for the examination to prevent an inadvertent leak of the examination content. 

Why do I need to take the ABPD QE if I have just taken the AAPD In-Service Exam?

The Inservice is used as part of the evaluation of the residency program. The QE is the first examination for board certification. The examinations are used for different reasons, and the content is different.   

What is the purpose of the QE?

The QE is designed to assess the use of specialized knowledge and skills, clinical reasoning, communication, and professionalism required of entry-level pediatric dentists for safe and effective practice.

When and how can I apply for the QE?

Residents in the final year of an accredited program and pediatric dentists who have successfully completed an accredited advanced education program in pediatric dentistry are eligible to register for the QE.  

You can apply for the QE from August 1 through December 15 by logging onto the ABPD website and filling out the application. 

FIRST TIME REGISTERING FOR AN EXAMINATION? Create your profile and apply for the QE by clicking the button below. 

How can I prepare for the examination?

The QE section on our website and Candidate Certification Guide provides several suggestions on ways to prepare for the examination.  

Where is the QE given?

The QE is administered at testing centers throughout the United States and internationally, excluding testing centers in Quebec. 

Why is the QE given only one day?

The QE is given only one day to minimize the opportunity for confidential materials to be compromised, thereby potentially providing some examinees an unfair advantage. To discuss or in any other way disseminate information regarding the content of this examination is an ethical breach of responsibility and can be the basis for disciplinary and legal action by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. 

What can I expect the day of my examination?

To find more information on what to expect on the day of the examination, visit our QE webpage. 

Is the QE graded on a curve?

No, there is not a predetermined percentage of candidates who will pass or fail. However, the degree of difficulty of the examination relative to a criterion standard does influence the minimum passing score. 

Why do the results take so long to get back?

Results are sent to our psychometrician, who analyzes the performance of each test item and the scores of each candidate to assure a valid and reliable examination. Once a final report is submitted to ABPD, results are processed and then shared with the candidates. 

When will I receive my results? How do I receive the results?

Candidates will receive results in approximately eight weeks. An email will be sent to let you know when the examination results will be available in your ABPD online portal.  

If I cancel my QE, can I transfer the examination fee to next year’s examinaton?

We are unable to transfer examination fees from one year to the next.   Refunds will be issued in accordance with the cancellation policy. 

What are the costs incurred while taking the OCE?

The examination fee for the OCE is $2,500. Transportation and overnight accommodation costs, if needed, will be the responsibility of the candidate. 

Why is it so expensive to take the OCE?

There are substantial costs associated with the development and administration of the OCE.  The development  requires input from many pediatric dentists serving as subject matter experts in addition to  credentialing specialists, including psychometricians.  

A practice analysis is done approximately every five years to determine the domains and tasks  that will be covered on the examination. A psychometric consultant leads this process. Psychometricians measure the validity, reliability, and fairness of an exam program, and are an integral part of the process of creating valid and reliable certification examinations. They are involved in all aspects of the development of the program, such as defining the knowledge, skills, and abilities that the exam is designed to measure. 

Pediatric dentists serve as subject matter experts for the annual development of the content for the examination, i.e. writing each vignette or case scenario for the examination. ABPD feels that it is important to develop high-quality new cases for the examination each year. 

 The examination cases go through a review process that includes additional subject matter experts and a review by a psychometrician before the examination is compiled. Although the pediatric dentists serve as volunteers, travel expenses for volunteers who attend in-person meetings are covered by ABPD. 

ABPD provides for the travel expenses of the pediatric dentists serving as examiners for the OCE. Examiners participate in training and calibration exercises prior to the examination administration. 

ABPD rents a testing center to help standardize the examination environment for each candidate. 

Following the examination, the examination results are analyzed by a psychometrician to evaluate the case and candidate performance for each case.  

Where is the OCE given?

The OCE is administered annually at a facility specially designed for the administration of professional specialty board oral examinations. The location is included in the registration information. 

How can I prepare for the OCE?

The ABPD OCE webpage and Candidate Certification Guide provides several suggestions on ways to prepare for the examination. Examinees should focus their attention on proficiency in diagnosis, treatment planning, and clinical. 

Why does ABPD need my photograph for the OCE?

ABPD requires a photo for identification purposes. We also require a government-issued ID at registration on the day of the examination. Names on your identification must exactly match those listed on our registration. 

The OCE is given on numerous days. Do I need to be there the whole time?

There are multiple sessions scheduled daily. You are only required to be at the OCE for your one scheduled session. You will receive additional information once you are confirmed as a participant for the OCE, and as test days are scheduled. Test days are assigned approximately six months before the examination. 

Can I request or change my date for the OCE?

Switching dates is not guaranteed; however, ABPD will try to accommodate such requests for extenuating circumstances. Your request to change your date must be submitted in writing to info@abpd.org.  

When will I receive my results? How will I receive the results?

Approximately eight weeks following the examination, results will be available through your ABPD dashboard. 

If I cancel my OCE registration, can I transfer the examination fee to the next year?

We are unable to transfer examination fees from one year to the next.   Refunds will be issued in accordance with the cancellation policy.