Changes to Equivalency Process Application and NDECC Registration
Beginning February 10, 2025, the NDEB will collect proof of Canadian citizenship or permanent residency as part of its application to the Equivalency Process.
Submitting proof of Canadian citizenship or permanent residency is optional and is not required for application to the Equivalency Process or participation in the examinations. This information is being collected to support potential changes to NDECC registration policies.
Why are we doing this?
Graduates of non-accredited dental programs who have established themselves in Canada are unable to work as dentists until they complete either a degree completion program or the NDEB Equivalency Process. To help get these dentists into practice sooner, we are investigating prioritizing candidates with accepted residency documentation for NDECC registration.
How would it work?
NDECC registration would happen in three stages:
- First time NDECC candidates who receive a passing result of the most recent ACJ.
- Any NDECC candidates who have provided evidence of Canadian citizenship or permanent residency.
- All candidates with NDECC eligibility.
With expanded clinic capacity and increased sessions, we do not anticipate candidates looking to secure a seat in the NDECC would experience increased wait times with the introduction of this staged registration process.
We continually monitor trends in registration and adjust registration processes as needed to provide candidates with access to testing.
Submitting Proof of Canadian Citizenship or Residency Documentation
Providing evidence of Canadian citizenship or permanent residency will be optional and will have no impact on application creation, credential verification times, or registration for the AFK or ACJ.
When creating an NDEBConnect account, new applicants will see “Canadian citizenship or permanent residency (optional)” in the list of required documents. Applicants can follow the instructions in the application guide and submit their required documents.
Approved candidates who wish to submit proof of Canadian citizenship or residency will be able to submit a service request through their NDEBConnect account to add Canadian citizenship or residency to their profile.
Proof of Canadian Citizenship or permanent residency can be provided to the NDEB at any stage of the process.