The clinical licensure examination process has long been a concern of ADA members and leadership. The Association supports the concept of an independent third-party evaluation of competency of candidates for initial licensure, but agrees that there is a critical need for change in the process.
The ADA has engaged in many activities aimed at influencing a change in the process, including a series of licensure conferences and task force meetings convened during the past eight years to promote a valid and reliable exam with universal acceptance. Important events in recent months suggest that these efforts may ultimately impact change.
The American Association of Dental Examiners, or AADE, recently announced that it is developing a single clinical examination for use by all state boards. In August 2004, the ADA’s Board of Trustees considered the task force recommendation and directed the appointment of a National Clinical Licensing Examination Consensus Committee to monitor the progress of the AADE initiative, and to advance the development of a common national clinical examination. This action was supported by the ADA House of Delegates at its annual meeting in Orlando, Fla., in October.
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