How to Become a Dentist in Manitoba
Do you need a licence?
Licence required
You must be registered with the Manitoba Dental Association to work as a dentist in Manitoba or to use a protected title.
- Protected titles
- Not listed in the sources checked
Show the source
“To legally practise in Manitoba, all dentists must complete a registration and licensing process to become members of MDA.”
From manitobadentist.ca/dental-professionals/dentists/registration-and-l..., checked October 10, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Licence required See the source
- Routes
-
- Licensed in another province: 5 steps
- Trained outside Canada: 4 steps, listed one-time fees $8,850 (2 fees depend on your situation and are not in the total)
- Annual fees
- Not stated by the regulator Check with MDA
Your roadmap
Tick each step as you finish it. Your ticks are kept in this browser only.
Licensed in another province
0 of 5 done
- 5 steps without a listed fee
-
Check with the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada to determine whether your dental education program is accredited, and if it is not, follow the non-accredited graduate process instead.
Source
“If you are educated in Canada, you are likely a graduate of an accredited dental program. To determine your status, visit the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada.”
manitobadentist.ca/dental-professionals/dentists/registration-and-l... -
After completing an accredited dental program, you must complete the National Dental Examining Board Virtual Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE).
Source
“You must complete the following once you have completed an accredited dental program: - Virtual Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)”
manitobadentist.ca/dental-professionals/dentists/registration-and-l... -
Obtain valid certification in resuscitation from a program approved by Manitoba Health that includes a hands-on component.
Source
“You must have valid certification in resuscitation from one of the programs approved by Manitoba Health.”
manitobadentist.ca/dental-professionals/dentists/registration-and-l... -
Complete a Jurisprudence and Ethics Program offered by one of the institutions approved by the MDA.
Source
“You must complete a Jurisprudence and Ethics Program with one of the following MDA-approved institutions.”
manitobadentist.ca/dental-professionals/dentists/registration-and-l... -
Review the instructional guide and complete the forms needed for the registration and licensing process, then submit them to the MDA.
Source
“Review the instructional guide and complete forms necessary to complete the registration and licensing process.”
manitobadentist.ca/dental-professionals/dentists/registration-and-l...
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with MDA
5 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Trained outside Canada
0 of 4 done
- Listed one-time fees: $8,850
- 2 fees depend on your situation and are not in the total
- 3 steps without a listed fee
-
Before starting the process, contact an immigration authority to make sure you meet the immigration requirements.
Source
“Before you spend time and money on the registration and licensing process, contact one of these immigration authorities to ensure that you meet the immigration requirements:”
manitobadentist.ca/dental-professionals/dentists/registration-and-l... -
Check the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada list to confirm your program's status; if you graduated from a non-accredited university you must either complete the entire NDEB Equivalency Process or enter an accredited Degree Completion Program.
- Application Fee: $900 (one time fee non-refundable)
- Assessment of Fundamental Knowledge (AFK): $1,000
- Assessment of Clinical Judgement (ACJ): $1,350
- NDECC: $6,500
- Equivalency Process Re-application Fee: $400 (non-refundable)
Source
“Equivalency Process Re-application Fee (non-refundable) $400”
ndeb-bned.ca/equivalency-process/fees
Source
“If you graduated from a Non-Accredited University, you must either complete the entire NDEB Equivalency Process, or enter an accredited Degree Completion Program in order to complete Step 3 below.”
manitobadentist.ca/dental-professionals/dentists/registration-and-l... -
Complete the NDEB Virtual Objective Structured Clinical Examination, which is offered at set times of the year at regional locations across Canada.
Source
“Step 3: Complete the NDEB Virtual Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) These exams are given at specific times of the year and at regional locations throughout Canada.”
manitobadentist.ca/dental-professionals/dentists/registration-and-l... -
After passing the NDEB written and OSCE exams and receiving NDEB Certification, complete and submit the registration and licensing forms to the MDA, whose review is followed by a licensing appointment, and pay the fees to receive your licence certificate.
Source
“Once you pass the NDEB written and OSCE Exam, you will receive your NDEB Certification. This is required to continue the licensing process in Manitoba. Review the instructional guide and complete the necessary registration and licensing forms. Once submitted to MDA, your forms are reviewed for their completeness and a licensing appointment is booked. Once your fees are submitted you will receive your license certificate.”
manitobadentist.ca/dental-professionals/dentists/registration-and-l...
Listed fees for this route
One-time total listed: $8,850
| Fee type | Amount | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Exams | $8,850 | 100% |
| One-time total | $8,850 | 100% |
2 fees depend on your situation and are not in the total.
3 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Other listed fees
The regulator lists these without tying them to one step, so they are not in the route totals above. Check which apply to you.
- NDECC: Clinical Skills Component: $3,250
- NDECC: Situational Judgment Component: $3,250
- Verification of Score AFK, ACJ, or NDECC: $200
- Misconduct decision appeal: $1,200
- Proof of Successful Completion: $30 (each)
- Appeal of the Conduct of an Examination: $1,200
- Administrative fee: $200 (refunded applications less the administrative fee)
Source
“Administrative fee $200 Individuals who create more than one application to the same process will be refunded the application fee less the administrative fee.”
ndeb-bned.ca/equivalency-process/fees
Requirements
Education
Applicants must have completed an accredited dental program, the NDEB exam, a CPR certification, an approved Jurisprudence and Ethics program, and an approved MDA application to be eligible for registration and licensing.
Source
“Dentists must complete the following to be eligible to become registered and licensed with MDA: 1) An accredited Dental program 2) The National Dental Examining Board (NDEB) exam 3) A Certification in Resuscitation Program (CPR) 4) An approved Jurisprudence and Ethics program 5) An approved MDA application”
manitobadentist.ca/dental-professionals/dentists/registration-and-l...Dental specialist applicants must have graduated from an accredited specialty program accepted in Manitoba or completed a specialty training program after the DSATP assessment program, and must pass the National Dental Specialty Examination.
Source
“Eligibility for registration in the Dental Specialist category with the MDA requires graduation from an accredited specialty program accepted in Manitoba or completion of a dental specialty training program after completing the DSATP assessment program run by Association of Canadian Faculties of Dentistry. and acceptance into and subsequent proof of successful completion of an accredited specialty program accepted in Manitoba. An applicant must also pass the National Dental Specialty Examination (NDSE).”
manitobadentist.ca/dental-professionals/dentists/registration-and-l...
Other
Internationally educated applicants must first complete the NDEB certification process for a Non-Accredited Program graduate before becoming registered and licensed by the MDA.
Source
“To become registered and licensed by MDA, you must first complete the certification process for a Non-Accredited Program graduate with the National Dental Examining Board (NDEB).”
manitobadentist.ca/dental-professionals/dentists/registration-and-l...Applicants for reinstatement within three years of resignation must submit the reinstatement application form with documentation and the reinstatement fee, and their documents, continuing education record and CPR status are reviewed.
Source
“The current process for most applicants requesting reinstatement within three years of resignation is to complete the necessary application form (Dentist Change of Category or Reinstatement Application form) and providing the appropriate documentation and reinstatement fee. A review of the documents, your continuing education record and CPR status will be performed.”
manitobadentist.ca/dental-professionals/dentists/registration-and-l...
Already licensed in another province?
Extra steps
Dentists licensed in another Canadian province must still complete the MDA registration and licensing requirements, including an accredited dental program, the NDEB exam, CPR certification, a Jurisprudence and Ethics program and an approved MDA application. Source
“Dentists must complete the following to be eligible to become registered and licensed with MDA: 1) An accredited Dental program 2) The National Dental Examining Board (NDEB) exam 3) A Certification in Resuscitation Program (CPR) 4) An approved Jurisprudence and Ethics program 5) An approved MDA application”
manitobadentist.ca/dental-professionals/dentists/registration-and-l...
Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with MDA
Credential assessment
Not stated by the regulator Check with MDA
Exams
-
Virtual Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)
Source
“You must complete the following once you have completed an accredited dental program: - Virtual Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)”
manitobadentist.ca/dental-professionals/dentists/registration-and-l... -
National Dental Examining Board (NDEB) exam
Source
“2) The National Dental Examining Board (NDEB) exam”
manitobadentist.ca/dental-professionals/dentists/registration-and-l...Which provinces ask for the National Dental Examining Board (NDEB) exam
-
Assessment of Fundamental Knowledge (AFK)
-
Assessment of Clinical Judgement (ACJ)
-
NDECC
-
National Dental Specialty Examination (NDSE)
Source
“An applicant must also pass the National Dental Specialty Examination (NDSE).”
manitobadentist.ca/dental-professionals/dentists/registration-and-l...
Language tests
| Test | Overall | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking | CLB | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLB | — | 7 | — | — | 7 | — | Source“CLB (English level 7 or higher in all four skills (speaking, listening, reading, and writing);”manitobadentist.ca/dental-professionals/dentists/registration-and-l... |
| IELTS | 6.5 | — | — | — | — | — | Source“IELTS (a minimum band of 6.5 for the General test).”manitobadentist.ca/dental-professionals/dentists/registration-and-l... |
Exemptions: There are no additional registration requirements or documentation required for English language proficiency beyond the assessment process. Source
“There are no additional registration requirements or documentation required on English language proficiency.”
manitobadentist.ca/dental-professionals/dentists/registration-and-l...
Canadian experience
Not stated by the regulator Check with MDA
Supervised practice
Not stated by the regulator Check with MDA
Demand and pay
| Where | Low | Median | High | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manitoba | — | $116,000 | — | Very good (5 of 5) |
| Canada | $32,867 | $110,000 | $228,000 | — |
Dentists in other provinces and territories
- British Columbia Licence required
- Alberta Licence required
- Saskatchewan Licence required
- Ontario Licence required
- Quebec Licence required
- New Brunswick Licence required
- Nova Scotia Licence required
- Prince Edward Island Not confirmed yet
- Newfoundland and Labrador Not confirmed yet
- Yukon Not confirmed yet
- Northwest Territories Licence required
- Nunavut Not confirmed yet
Sources checked
- Registration Package for Out of Province Licensed Dentists (Canada only) manitobadentist.ca/dental-professionals/dentists/registration-and-l... · fetched October 10, 2026
- Registration Package for Internationally Trained Dentists manitobadentist.ca/dental-professionals/dentists/registration-and-l... · fetched October 10, 2026
- Fees - The National Dental Examining Board of Canada ndeb-bned.ca/equivalency-process/fees · fetched October 10, 2026
- Registration Package for Dental Specialist manitobadentist.ca/dental-professionals/dentists/registration-and-l... · fetched October 10, 2026
- Member Reinstatement Information manitobadentist.ca/dental-professionals/dentists/registration-and-l... · fetched October 10, 2026
- Manitoba Dental Association Dentist Eligibility Requirements manitobadentist.ca/dental-professionals/dentists/registration-and-l... · fetched October 10, 2026
Frequently asked questions
2
Do you need a licence to work as a dentist in Manitoba?
Yes. Registration with the Manitoba Dental Association is required to practise in Manitoba.
Which exams are required?
Virtual Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE), National Dental Examining Board (NDEB) exam, Assessment of Fundamental Knowledge (AFK), Assessment of Clinical Judgement (ACJ), NDECC, National Dental Specialty Examination (NDSE).
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