Step by step
- Check you can work in the UK and look at NHS requirements before you start: the GDC advises this first.
- Apply to the ORE through your GDC online account and pay the £115 application processing fee. You need a character reference, clinical reference(s) showing at least 1,600 hours of clinical experience treating patients in the chair, certified ID and qualification documents, a UK ENIC Statement of Comparability and a certificate of good standing where it applies. The GDC aims to assess complete applications within 60 working days.
- Once you're on the candidate list, book ORE Part 1 when a booking window opens (£485 per attempt) and pass Paper A and Paper B in the same sitting.
- Book ORE Part 2 (£6,967 per attempt) at the UCL Eastman Dental Institute and pass its four components.
- Apply for registration with the GDC, including evidence of English language competence, and pay the registration fee and annual retention fee.
ORE costs at a glance (2026)
Exam fees aren't normally refundable, so read the GDC's withdrawal and refund policies before booking. Registration and annual retention fees are separate.
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| ORE application processing fee | £115 (one-time) |
| ORE Part 1 (Papers A and B) | £485 per attempt |
| ORE Part 2 | £6,967 per attempt |
ORE Part 2 in brief
- An operative test on a dental manikin (three procedures in three hours).
- An objective structured clinical examination (OSCE).
- A diagnostic and treatment planning exercise with an actor and supporting records.
- A medical emergencies assessment: a scenario-based oral and single-handed basic life support. If you fail only this component you can retake it alone.
See where you stand in 10 minutes
Take the free ORE Paper A practice test. 15 questions, every answer explained.
Attempts and time limits
You have up to four attempts at each part. If you fail Part 1 or Part 2 four times you can't sit the ORE again. You must pass Part 2 within five years of your first attempt at Part 1. Candidates near that limit, and those with refugee status, can get priority booking.
Alternatives to the ORE
The GDC also accepts the Licence in Dental Surgery (LDS) from the Royal College of Surgeons of England, and the University of Lancashire offers an international BDS route for overseas-qualified dentists. Membership diplomas such as the MFDS don't exempt you from the ORE.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the ORE take?
Around six to 12 months if you pass each part first time and get places quickly. The GDC warns that high demand can make it take much longer.
How much does the ORE cost in total?
In 2026 the GDC fees are £115 to apply, £485 for Part 1 and £6,967 for Part 2, about £7,567 if you pass each part first time, before registration fees, travel and preparation.
Do I need clinical experience to apply?
Yes. Your clinical references must show at least 1,600 hours of clinical experience treating patients in the dental chair.
Is there a time limit?
Yes. You must pass Part 2 within five years of first attempting Part 1, with up to four attempts at each part.
Does the GDC recommend preparation courses?
No. The GDC doesn't endorse or quality-assure any ORE preparation course, including ours. It advises that recent clinical experience improves your chances.
Official sources
- General Dental Council: About the ORE
- General Dental Council: How to apply for the ORE
- General Dental Council: ORE Part 2
Practice tests for these certifications
ORE Part 1 Paper A: Dental Science and Human Disease
Paper A is the science half of ORE Part 1, the written exam overseas-qualified dentists must pass before the ORE Part 2 clinical exam and GDC registration.
ORE Part 1 Paper B: Clinical Dentistry, Law, Ethics and Health and Safety
Paper B is the clinical half of ORE Part 1. It covers clinical dentistry (restorative, endodontics, periodontology, prosthodontics, paediatric dentistry, orthodontics, oral surgery, oral medicine and radiography) plus law, ethics and health and safety as they apply in the UK. You sit it with Paper A and must pass both in the same sitting.
This guide is general information, checked November 2026, not legal advice. the General Dental Council rules change; confirm with the General Dental Council before you apply.
