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Pathway finder / Dentists / New Zealand

Dentists · New Zealand · checked 29 October 2026

Work as a dentist in New Zealand

Dentists whose degree is not accredited in a recognised country register through the New Zealand Dental Registration Examination (NZDREX), which is now taken as the NDEB equivalency process in Canada. Dentists with recognised degrees or registration use the competent authority pathways.

  • 3 steps
  • From NZ$2,205.35 in official fees
  • Every fee linked to its source
Illustration: world map with a route to New Zealand
YOU 123 NZ
Your degreeLicence in New Zealand
Official fees
NZ$2,205.35plus 1 that vary
Steps
3from degree to licence
Language
English: IELTS Academic 7 in each band in one sitting, or OET A or B in each part, within two years (exemptions for English-taught training or recent practice in Australia, the UK, the USA, Ireland or Canada)
Planning time
About 1–2 years on the exam route
Our estimate, not official
!

New from 1 November 2026: the Dental Council opens a competent authority registration pathway and a comparable health system pathway. Check which one fits you before you apply.

Where did you qualify?

Outside the EU and English-speaking countriesEU, EEA or SwitzerlandUK, Ireland, USA, Canada, Australia or New Zealand

Degrees accredited in the UK, Ireland, Canada, the USA or Australia use the competent authority – qualification pathway (NZ$1,597 + GST). With 33 of the last 48 months of practice under a recognised regulator, the competent authority – registration pathway costs NZ$1,888 + GST.

Step by step

Each fee links to the page we took it from.

  1. 1

    Pass the NDEB equivalency process

    paid to NDEB

    Three parts: AFK and ACJ at Prometric centres, then the NDECC in Ottawa. A pass after August 2015 counts as an NZDREX pass. Source

  2. 2

    Apply for registration

    NZ$639 + GST

    As an NZDREX applicant. Dental Council fees are listed without GST. Source

  3. 3

    Practising certificate

    NZ$1,566.35 + GST

    For 1 October 2026 to 30 September 2027: NZ$1,144.02 plus a NZ$422.33 levy, both plus GST. Source

Not included: courses, translations, travel, visas and living costs.

Stories from people who took this route

No story here yet. Took this route yourself? Share your story – it helps the next person more than any brochure.

Agencies that help with this route

No agency listed for this route yet.

Recruiter, school or consultant for dentists in New Zealand? List your agency.

Questions

Is NZDREX still held in New Zealand?

No. NZDREX candidates must pass the NDEB equivalency process in Canada.

Sources

  1. Dental Council: dentists and dental specialists
  2. Dental Council: registration examination (NZDREX)
  3. Oral Health fees and levies notice 2026 (excl. GST)
  4. Oral Health fees amendment notice 2026, from 1 October 2026 (excl. GST)
  5. Dental Council: registration – what you need to know

Last checked 29 October 2026. Fees and rules change – always confirm with the regulator before you pay. PassPeers is independent and not affiliated with any regulator or exam provider.

Other pathways

DE Doctor · Germany Official fees from €1,575 UK Doctor · United Kingdom Official fees from £1,800 AU Doctor · Australia Official fees from A$9,325 US Doctor · USA Official fees from $3,875 CA Doctor · Canada Official fees from CA$5,202 DE Pharmacist · Germany Fees vary – see the route AU Pharmacist · Australia Official fees from A$3,845 UK Pharmacist · United Kingdom Official fees from £830 DE Nurse · Germany Fees vary – see the route UK Nurse · United Kingdom Official fees from £1,226 AU Nurse · Australia Official fees from A$4,957 US Nurse · USA Official fees from $350 CA Nurse · Canada Official fees from CA$1,110 DE Dentist · Germany Official fees from €580 UK Dentist · United Kingdom Official fees from £7,567 AU Dentist · Australia Official fees from A$7,544 US Dentist · USA Official fees from $1,325 CA Dentist · Canada Official fees from CA$11,950 DE Physiotherapist · Germany Fees vary – see the route UK Physiotherapist · United Kingdom Official fees from £1,048.40 AU Physiotherapist · Australia Official fees from A$8,321 US Physiotherapist · USA Official fees from $485 CA Physiotherapist · Canada Official fees from CA$3,950 DE Midwife · Germany Fees vary – see the route UK Midwife · United Kingdom Official fees from £1,226 AU Midwife · Australia Official fees from A$4,957 US Midwife · USA Fees vary – see the route CA Midwife · Canada Official fees from CA$992.50 AE Doctor · UAE Official fees from AED 200 SA Doctor · Saudi Arabia Official fees from SAR 1,420 QA Doctor · Qatar Official fees from QAR 1,210 IE Doctor · Ireland Official fees from €2,303 AE Nurse · UAE Official fees from AED 200 SA Nurse · Saudi Arabia Official fees from SAR 1,340 QA Nurse · Qatar Official fees from QAR 990 IE Nurse · Ireland Official fees from €495 AE Dentist · UAE Official fees from AED 200 SA Dentist · Saudi Arabia Official fees from SAR 1,420 QA Dentist · Qatar Official fees from QAR 1,210 IE Dentist · Ireland Official fees from €1,900 AE Pharmacist · UAE Official fees from AED 200 SA Pharmacist · Saudi Arabia Official fees from SAR 1,340 QA Pharmacist · Qatar Official fees from QAR 990 IE Pharmacist · Ireland Official fees from €2,198 AE Physiotherapist · UAE Official fees from AED 200 SA Physiotherapist · Saudi Arabia Official fees from SAR 1,340 QA Physiotherapist · Qatar Official fees from QAR 990 IE Physiotherapist · Ireland Fees vary – see the route AE Midwife · UAE Official fees from AED 200 SA Midwife · Saudi Arabia Fees vary – see the route QA Midwife · Qatar Fees vary – see the route IE Midwife · Ireland Official fees from €495 NZ Doctor · New Zealand Official fees from NZ$7,489.97 NZ Nurse · New Zealand Official fees from NZ$615 NZ Midwife · New Zealand Official fees from NZ$2,547 NZ Pharmacist · New Zealand Official fees from NZ$1,859 NZ Physiotherapist · New Zealand Official fees from NZ$2,149