University of Louisville Advanced Standing for Internationally Trained Dentists: Seats, Requirements and Cost
The University of Louisville School of Dentistry (ULSD) offers Advanced Standing into its DMD program for dentists who graduated outside the US or Canada. It takes a minimum of 28 months, ends with a DMD degree, and you apply only through ADEA CAAPID with a passed INBDE.1
Be clear about one thing first: this is a space-available program. Louisville admits Advanced Standing students only when a seat opens in its second-year class, it does not admit them every year, and it expects about 1 seat for January 2027.12
Who this guide is for: Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi and Nepali dentists (BDS), and other internationally trained dentists, who want a US DDS or DMD and are deciding whether Louisville belongs on their CAAPID list.
How The Study Boards helps you get into Louisville Advanced Standing
- INBDE first: Louisville will not consider you without a pass on file. Our INBDE course gives you 35,000+ questions, faculty-made Modules and Master Files, the test series and nightly live tests at 9 PM New York time. 99% of students who complete the course pass on their first attempt.
- Built around you: the courses are extremely personalised. Red lines and assignments are given on the go, the course learns from the way you study, and faculty assist you.
- TOEFL: Louisville prefers 100 overall with 26 in speaking and listening. Our TOEFL course for dentists aims at those section scores.
- Application, hands and interview: the CAAPID application program builds your essays and a realistic school list, bench test prep with Dr. Kaur readies you for the in-person bench test, and interview prep with Dr. T readies you for the virtual interview.
Questions are answered by US-licensed dentists, not AI.
Louisville Advanced Standing at a glance
From ULSD’s own pages and its ADEA CAAPID listing, checked 15 October 2026.
Sources: ULSD program page, ADEA CAAPID listing and ULSD Cost and Aid page.123 ADEA’s listing says the number admitted “has ranged from 0 to 8 spots” over the years; ULSD’s own FAQ says it is typically 0 to 3.12
What Louisville focuses on
Louisville publishes less about its selection than most schools. Here is what its own pages do say, and what that means for you.
A seat in D2 decides everythingULSD says it does not reserve places for internationally trained dentists. You fill a gap in the existing second-year class, and if no gap opens, nobody is admitted that year.1
Clinical volume and community careThe school describes “community-focused experiences”, over 50,000 patient visits a year and clinical sites across Kentucky, many serving high-need patients.4
Digital dentistry and researchULSD wants to lead in training on intraoral scanning, CBCT, 3D printing and digital implant planning, and names research strengths in maxillofacial radiology, dental materials and oral microbiology.4
Everything since graduationADEA’s listing asks for a resume of all experiences, dental and non-dental, since you graduated. Gaps are visible, so explain them.2
Strong EnglishThe preferred TOEFL is 100 with 26 in speaking and listening, higher than many programs. ULSD can ask any candidate for a TOEFL.1
Hand skills, tested in personShortlisted applicants attend a virtual bench test orientation, then an in-person bench test. ULSD does not publish what is tested.1
Requirements in detail
Everything goes through ADEA CAAPID. ULSD does not accept documents sent to it directly.1
Pass the INBDEA pass on the INBDE, or NBDE Parts I and II, sent to CAAPID. Where a number is issued, ULSD needs 75 or higher. For international candidates the INBDE costs $890 plus a $435 processing fee, $1,325 in total.127
TOEFL iBT preferred, IELTS acceptedULSD’s FAQ prefers 100 overall with 26 in speaking and listening, or IELTS 7.5. Its requirements list prefers 100 or 4.5 on the new scale. The Home Edition is accepted. A waiver is possible with 90 US college credit hours or a US master’s degree. TOEFL code: 5933.12
Credential evaluationULSD’s page asks for a detailed ECE evaluation. ADEA’s listing accepts ECE or WES. ECE satisfies both, so order ECE. The course-by-course report costs $199.126
Two letters of evaluationOne professional letter and one from the dean or a senior administrator of your dental school, written within one year of applying.1
Am I ready to apply to Louisville?
Tick what you have done. Whatever is left is your list before CAAPID opens again.
Need help with the CAAPID screens? See our CAAPID application walkthrough and WES or ECE.
How Louisville selects Advanced Standing students
ULSD lists these steps as mandatory. Interviews and the bench test happen only in years when a seat is expected.1
The application cycle on a timeline
For a month-by-month plan, read our INBDE and CAAPID timeline.
What Louisville Advanced Standing costs
ULSD charges Advanced Standing students the same tuition as its traditional DMD students. It publishes yearly figures only.13
| 2026-27, per year | Kentucky resident | Non-resident |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $41,760 | $86,938 |
| Instruments and supplies | $7,500 | $7,500 |
| Health profession, rec and athletic fees | $701 | $701 |
| Major medical insurance (can be waived) | $3,566 | $3,566 |
| Total per year | $53,527 | $98,705 |
A rough total for 28 months
You join in January, partway through the D2 year, then complete D3 and D4. At non-resident rates that is roughly two and a half years of direct costs. ULSD does not publish a living-cost figure.
To weigh cost against income, read is becoming a US dentist worth it?
How to prepare: our full plan for Louisville
With one seat at stake, every part of the file has to be strong. Here is how The Study Boards prepares you.
Pass the INBDE first timeOur INBDE Premium Boards course: 35,000+ questions, Modules and Master Files, the test series and nightly live tests at 9 PM New York time. Plans are $299 for 3 months, $499 for 6 months, $899 for 12 months, or $39 a month.
- Pass Guarantee: finish on time with no overdue days, score 60%+ on every test, and if you still do not pass, we refund the course fee and the exam registration fee.
Essays, letters and a school listMaster the CAAPID Application covers your personal statement, letters, CV and a strategy session with Dr. T. With Louisville admitting 0 to 3 a year, your list needs other schools too.
Bench test prep with Dr. KaurULSD does not publish its bench test content, so train the core preparations most schools test. Start with what the bench test is and how it is evaluated.
Interview prep with Dr. TThe 3-session program with Dr. Slesnick and Dr. T trains you for virtual interviews. Warm up with these five tough questions.
Reach 100 with strong speakingOur TOEFL iBT course for dentists is a 45-day, mentor-reviewed program for the January 2026 format.
Other routes if Louisville is not the right fit
One seat, maybe. Passing the INBDE opens four routes, and most dentists apply to several at once.
Advanced Standing at another schoolTwo to three years to a DDS or DMD through ADEA CAAPID. Compare programs in our Advanced Standing programs guide and full list of US dental schools, then shortlist with the CAAPID directory method.
AEGD through ADEA PASSSome states give a limited licence after an AEGD; rules vary by state. See AEGD programs for international dentists.
A residency through PASSApplying straight to a residency is more competitive for international applicants. Read CAAPID or PASS: how to pick.
TeachingSome international dentists join a US dental school in a faculty or academic role. Each school and state sets its own rules.
If you are also weighing Canada, the AFK route through the NDEB is the first step there.
Frequently asked questions
How many international dentists does Louisville accept?
Can an Indian BDS graduate apply to Louisville’s Advanced Standing program?
Do Pakistani dentists need the INBDE for Louisville?
Does Louisville have a bench test?
What TOEFL score does Louisville need?
How does The Study Boards help with a Louisville application?
Thinking about Louisville?
Our Admin Team with Dr. T and Dr. Kaur will contact you over WhatsApp. We will help you build a school list that does not depend on one seat.
References
- University of Louisville School of Dentistry. Advanced Standing (DMD) for Internationally Trained Dentists: requirements, timeline, FAQ. dentistry.louisville.edu (checked 15 October 2026)
- ADEA CAAPID. University of Louisville School of Dentistry program listing (updated 25 February 2026). programs.adea.org (checked 15 October 2026)
- University of Louisville School of Dentistry. Cost and Aid (DMD), 2026-2027. dentistry.louisville.edu (checked 15 October 2026)
- University of Louisville School of Dentistry. About Us. dentistry.louisville.edu (checked 15 October 2026)
- ADEA. ADEA CAAPID applicants: 2026-27 fees. adea.org (checked 15 October 2026)
- Educational Credential Evaluators. Services and Fees. ece.org (checked 15 October 2026)
- JCNDE. INBDE Candidate Guide: $890 fee plus $435 non-CODA processing fee. jcnde.ada.org
Current as of 15 October 2026. Program details and costs come from the University of Louisville School of Dentistry and ADEA CAAPID. The 28-month total is our estimate from ULSD’s yearly rate. Confirm everything with ULSD before you apply. This guide is independent and is not endorsed by the University of Louisville.