1. Understanding NDECC Component Retake Rules – What the NDEB By-laws Say
The NDECC consists of two independent components: the Clinical Skills Component (CSC) and the Situational Judgement Component (SJC). Each component is assessed separately, and performance on one does not affect the other.
The NDEB by-laws, updated effective July 1, 2022, clearly outline the retake rules:
- If you fail either the Clinical Skills component or the
Situational Judgement component, you are only required to retake
the failed component.
- If you fail both components, you must repeat the entire NDECC.
This modular structure is designed to reduce redundancy. If you have already demonstrated competence in one component, the NDEB does not require you to prove it again. You can focus your preparation exclusively on the component you failed.
The NDECC can be taken any number of times within 60 months from the date the NDECC is introduced or from the date you passed the ACJ. There is no limit on the number of retake attempts within this five-year window.
Critical Distinction – No Three-Attempt Limit on NDECC
Unlike the AFK and ACJ, which have a maximum of three attempts, the NDECC has no attempt limit. You can take the CSC ten times if needed, provided you do so within your five-year eligibility window. However, each retake costs $3,250 and consumes time from your five-year clock. Do not treat unlimited attempts as a reason to be unprepared.
Full Equivalency Process pathway – AFK → ACJ → NDECC
See the full Canadian pathway from the AFK to the ACJ and finally to the NDECC.
2. Retake Scenarios – Which Components You Must Repeat
The table below summarises every possible NDECC outcome and the required retake strategy.
| Outcome | CSC Result | SJC Result | Required Retake | Retake Fee (2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pass both (certification) | Pass | Pass | None | N/A |
| Fail CSC only | Fail | Pass | CSC only | $3,250 |
| Fail SJC only | Pass | Fail | SJC only | $3,250 |
| Fail both | Fail | Fail | Entire NDECC (CSC + SJC) | $6,500 |
Important nuances:
- Your passed component remains valid indefinitely while you are
retaking the failed component. You do not need to retake the
passed component even if multiple years pass before you retake the
failed one.
- However, if your five-year eligibility window expires before you
pass the failed component, your passed component no longer matters
— you will be removed from the Equivalency Process.
- If you fail both components, you cannot combine a passed CSC
from one sitting with a passed SJC from another sitting. You must
pass both components in the same exam session or in a sequence
where only one component was failed.
3. 2026 NDECC Retake Fees – What You Will Pay for Each Attempt
Effective July 1, 2025, the NDEB implemented the third consecutive fee reduction for the NDECC. The current fees are the lowest since the exam was introduced in September 2022.
| Registration Type | Fee (CAD) | Effective Date |
|---|---|---|
| Full NDECC (CSC + SJC) | $6,500 | July 1, 2025 |
| Clinical Skills Component only | $3,250 | July 1, 2025 |
| Situational Judgement Component only | $3,250 | July 1, 2025 |
The per-component pricing is particularly valuable for candidates retaking only one component. You save $3,250 compared to registering for the full exam.
If you previously registered before July 1, 2025: Any candidates with existing registrations for the NDECC being held after July 1, 2025 will receive a refund of the difference in fee. The refund is automatic — you do not need to request it.
Withdrawal fee for retakes: There is a withdrawal fee of 50% for withdrawals that take place during the registration window. If you register for a retake and then change your mind, you forfeit half of your registration fee. Only register for a retake when you are certain you are prepared.
Total Retake Cost If You Fail Both Components Separately
If you fail the CSC in one session, retake and pass it ($3,250), then fail the SJC in a different session and retake it ($3,250), your total NDECC cost would be $6,500 for the first full attempt plus $6,500 in retake fees = $13,000. If you fail both in the same session, you pay $6,500 for the full retake. The cheapest path is to pass both on the first attempt ($6,500 total). The second-cheapest path is to fail only one component and retake it once ($9,750 total).
Full cost breakdown including multiple retake scenarios
See the full money side of the pathway, including full-exam and component-only retake math.
4. The Five-Year Clock – How Retakes Interact with the May 2027 Deadline
You have five years from your ACJ pass date to successfully pass both NDECC components. Every retake consumes time from this five-year window.
The NDEB will begin strictly enforcing the five-year rule effective May 2027. Candidates who cannot demonstrate minimal competence on both components after five years will cease to be candidates in the Equivalency Process.
Example timeline:
- ACJ pass date: January 15, 2025
- Five-year deadline: January 14, 2030
- First NDECC attempt (both components): June 2025 — fail CSC,
pass SJC
- Second NDECC attempt (CSC only): November 2025 — fail again
- Third NDECC attempt (CSC only): March 2026 — pass
- Total time used: 14 months. You still have 46 months remaining.
If your five-year deadline is approaching and you have not passed both components, you may be eligible for a time extension if you have experienced exceptional medical circumstances or were unable to register for the NDECC a minimum of three times in five years due to capacity limits.
Critical warning: The five-year clock does not pause while you are waiting for retake seats. If you are a Tier 3 candidate facing 12–18 month registration delays, your five-year window is shrinking even while you wait. Do not delay retake attempts unnecessarily.
Five-year rule and time extension process explained
Read this next if retakes are starting to eat into your five-year window.
5. Common CSC Failure Patterns – What Typically Goes Wrong on the Clinical Skills Component
The Clinical Skills Component has a pass rate of approximately 38%, meaning over 60% of candidates fail at least one clinical requirement on their first attempt. Understanding why candidates fail is essential to structuring an effective retake strategy.
Most common CSC failure points:
| Failure Point | Why It Happens | Retake Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Proximal contacts (open or too tight) | Inadequate matrix adaptation or poor condensing technique | High — practice with sectional matrices |
| Marginal adaptation (overhangs or gaps) | Improper burnishing or carving technique | High — practise finishing under magnification |
| Crown preparation under-reduction (especially axial walls) | Conservative training from non-Canadian programmes | Very High — most common crown failure |
| Occlusal anatomy (missing landmarks, flat occlusal surface) | Rushing through carving without referencing anatomy | Medium — study occlusal anatomy charts |
| Provisional restoration contour or fit | Poor impression or trim technique | Medium — practise on prepared typodont teeth |
The most common reason for CSC failure is under-reduction on crown preparations. Many internationally trained dentists were taught conservative preparation techniques that do not meet the Canadian standard. The NDECC requires specific axial reduction measurements — typically 1.5–2.0 mm for all-ceramic crowns. If your preparation is under-reduced, you will fail regardless of other qualities.
Other common failure patterns:
- Class II amalgam: Failure to achieve proper
proximal contour, over-carving, or under-condensation leading to
voids.
- Class II composite: Improper sectional matrix
placement, inadequate curing, or poor interproximal contour.
- Class IV composite: Shade mismatch, poor
incisal edge contour, or inadequate bonding technique.
- Provisional restoration: Poor marginal seal,
over- or under-contouring, or inadequate occlusal reduction.
You Will Not Receive Diagnostic Feedback
The NDECC results are simply listed as pass or fail. There is no description of what criteria caused a project or scenario to fail, as was done previously for the ACS. This means you must self-diagnose your failure points. Compare your work against the NDECC Protocol grading criteria. If possible, work with an experienced instructor who can identify your specific weaknesses.
6. CSC Retake Strategy – How to Re-Prepare for the Clinical Skills Component
If you failed the CSC, you need a structured retake plan. Do not simply register for the next available session and hope for a different outcome.
Step 1 – Self-diagnose your failure (2–4 weeks after results):
- Review the NDECC Protocol grading criteria for each clinical
requirement.
- Practise each procedure on typodont teeth while recording your
work (video or photographs).
- Compare your work against the Protocol’s “competent” and
“minimally competent” descriptors.
- Identify which specific criteria you likely failed — proximal
contact, marginal adaptation, reduction, anatomy, or occlusion.
Step 2 – Targeted practice (4–8 weeks):
- Focus 80% of your practice time on the specific procedures and
criteria that caused your failure.
- If you failed crown preparation, spend most of your time on
typodont crown preps. Practise 20–30 crown preparations before
your retake.
- Use the same typodont teeth and handpieces (Kavo) used at the
NDECC Test Centre. The NDEB Practical Guide contains details about
the instruments and materials provided.
- Practise under timed conditions. The CSC allocates specific time
for each procedure — typically 30 minutes for Class II amalgam
preparation, 45 minutes for amalgam restoration, 50 minutes for
Class II composite, 40 minutes for Class IV composite, 60 minutes
for crown preparation, and 45 minutes for provisional restoration.
Step 3 – Get objective feedback (critical for repeat failures):
- Work with an NDECC preparation course instructor who can
evaluate your typodont work against NDEB standards.
- Join a study group with other candidates who have passed the
CSC.
- If possible, have a Canadian-trained dentist or recent NDECC
passer evaluate your preparations.
Step 4 – Register strategically (as soon as you are ready):
- Do not register for a retake until you are consistently passing
mock CSC exams.
- However, do not wait too long — your five-year clock is
running.
- Monitor the NDECC calendar for upcoming sessions and register at
your tier-appropriate time (9:00 AM ET for Tier 2, 10:00 AM ET for
Tier 3).
Step 5 – Mock exam under full conditions:
- Before your retake, complete a full eight-hour CSC mock exam on
typodont teeth.
- Use the same time allocations as the real exam.
- Have an instructor or experienced peer grade your work using the
NDECC Protocol criteria.
Detailed CSC procedures with step-by-step instructions
Use this as your practical procedure guide while rebuilding your CSC preparation.
7. Common SJC Failure Patterns – Why Candidates Fail the Situational Judgement Component
The Situational Judgement Component has a higher pass rate (approximately 57%) than the CSC, but nearly 43% of candidates still fail. SJC failure is often less about knowledge and more about misreading scenarios or selecting inappropriate responses.
The SJC comprises five blueprint categories, each with two stations (10 stations total). To pass, you must pass six of the 10 stations and pass at least one station in each blueprint category.
| Blueprint Category | Common Failure Reason | Retake Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Patient-Centred Care | Choosing treatment-focused responses over patient communication | High — review communication frameworks |
| Professionalism | Missing ethical boundaries or dual-relationship issues | High — study provincial codes of ethics |
| Communication and Collaboration | Selecting directive or dismissive responses | Medium — practise collaborative language |
| Practice and Information Management | Mishandling error disclosure or record-keeping | Medium — review practice management guidelines |
| Health Promotion | Missing prevention opportunities or patient education moments | Low — study CDA prevention guidelines |
Why candidates fail the SJC:
- Misreading the scenario: The SJC asks you to
select the “most appropriate” and “least appropriate” responses.
Candidates often select the clinically correct answer rather than
the professionally appropriate one.
- Failing one entire category: If you fail both
stations in any blueprint category, you fail the entire SJC
regardless of your total stations passed.
- Lack of Canadian context: Scenarios reflect
Canadian workplace norms, patient expectations, and regulatory
frameworks. What is considered professional in your home country
may not align with Canadian standards.
- Overthinking: Many candidates overcomplicate
straightforward scenarios. The SJC tests basic professional
judgement, not complex ethical philosophy.
The “One Per Category” Rule Is Non-Negotiable
You cannot compensate for failing an entire category by excelling in others. If you fail both stations in Patient-Centred Care, you fail the entire SJC. In your retake preparation, ensure you can demonstrate minimal competence in every blueprint category.
8. SJC Retake Strategy – How to Re-Prepare for the Situational Judgement Component
If you failed the SJC, your retake strategy is different from the CSC. The SJC requires less hands-on practice and more scenario-based reasoning.
Step 1 – Identify your weak blueprint categories (1–2 weeks after results):
- The NDEB does not provide category-level feedback. However, you
can estimate your weak areas by reviewing your preparation
materials.
- If you struggled with professionalism scenarios, focus on
ethics. If you struggled with health promotion, review prevention
guidelines.
Step 2 – Study Canadian reference materials (2–4 weeks):
- The NDEB has published a Situational Judgement Reference List to
help examinees prepare for the SJC.
- Review provincial codes of ethics (e.g., RCDSO’s “Professional
Obligations and Human Rights”, CDSBC’s “Professional
Standards”).
- Study the CDA’s “Code of Ethics” and “Patient Communication”
resources.
- Review the “CANMEDS” framework for professional competencies.
Step 3 – Practise with SJC-style questions (4–6 weeks):
- Use SJC preparation courses or question banks that simulate the
real exam format.
- For each scenario, identify the “most appropriate” and “least
appropriate” response before looking at the answer.
- Discuss scenarios with other candidates — verbalising your
reasoning helps identify flawed assumptions.
Step 4 – Focus on the “Canadian way” of professional communication:
- Canadian professional standards emphasise collaboration, patient
autonomy, and shared decision-making.
- Avoid responses that are directive (“You must do X”), dismissive
(“That is not necessary”), or avoidant (“I will refer you to
someone else”).
- Look for responses that acknowledge the patient’s concern,
provide education, and offer options.
Step 5 – Mock SJC exam:
- Complete a full 10-station SJC mock exam under timed
conditions.
- Review your answers against the SJC grading criteria.
- Ensure you are passing at least one station in each blueprint
category.
Complete SJC guide – domains, question format, and preparation
Go here if your retake problem is SJC judgement, not CSC hand skills.
9. Retake Registration – How to Secure a Seat for Your Next Attempt
After you fail a component, you must re-register through NDEBConnect for a future exam session.
Registration process for retakes:
1. Log into your NDEB online profile.
2. Navigate to NDECC registration.
3. Select whether you are registering for the full exam ($6,500),
CSC only ($3,250), or SJC only ($3,250).
4. Select your preferred exam date (tentative until registration
closes).
5. Pay the registration fee.
Tiered registration for retakes:
- Tier 1: First-time NDECC candidates who passed
the most recent ACJ. This offer is for first attempts only — it
does not apply to retakes.
- Tier 2: Candidates with approved proof of
Canadian citizenship or permanent residency (9:00 AM ET
registration).
- Tier 3: All other NDECC-eligible candidates
(10:00 AM ET registration).
If you are a retaking candidate without Canadian citizenship or PR, you are in Tier 3. You register at 10:00 AM ET on the registration date. This means you face the same competition for seats as other Tier 3 candidates.
Tip for retaking Tier 3 candidates: Submit proof of Canadian citizenship or permanent residency to the NDEB as soon as you obtain it. This moves you to Tier 2 (9:00 AM ET registration), dramatically improving your odds of securing a retake seat.
Tier 3 registration strategies – how to maximise your odds
Read this if seat access is becoming part of your retake problem.
10. When to Stop Retaking – Strategic Withdrawal and Alternative Pathways
Retaking the NDECC multiple times is expensive and time-consuming. At some point, you must consider whether continuing is the right decision.
Signs you may need to reconsider your approach:
- You have failed the same component three or more times with
minimal improvement.
- Your five-year deadline is approaching (within 12–18 months) and
you have not passed both components.
- You cannot afford additional retakes financially.
- You have been unable to secure a retake seat after multiple
registration windows.
Alternatives to continuing NDECC retakes:
| Alternative | Description | Best for… |
|---|---|---|
| Degree completion programme | Enrol in year 3 of a Canadian DDS programme (2.5–3 years, $150–200K) | Candidates who have failed CSC multiple times and need supervised training |
| Time extension request | Submit medical or registration-based extension to NDEB Executive Committee | Candidates with valid grounds who are close to passing |
| Provincial alternative pathway | Some provinces offer alternative assessment routes (rare) | Candidates with exceptional circumstances |
If you decide to stop the Equivalency Process entirely: You will not receive the NDEB Certificate and cannot practise dentistry in Canada. Some candidates pivot to dental hygiene, dental assisting, or academic/research roles. Others use their BDS degree for non-clinical positions in public health, insurance, or dental technology.
Do Not Retake Without a Plan
Registering for a retake without changing your preparation approach is a waste of $3,250. If you failed the CSC, you must identify your specific failure points and address them through targeted practice. If you failed the SJC, you must understand the Canadian professional standards you missed. More practice of the same flawed technique will not produce a different outcome.
NDECC pathway vs university degree completion – full comparison
Read this if you are questioning whether repeated retakes still make sense for your situation.
Related NDECC articles
References
- National Dental Examining Board of Canada | NDEB by-laws update – retake rules: fail one component retake only failed component; fail both repeat entire NDECC; unlimited attempts within 60 months
- National Dental Examining Board of Canada | Third consecutive fee reduction – full exam $6,500, per component $3,250, effective July 1, 2025
- National Dental Examining Board of Canada | Complete fee schedule – AFK $1,000, ACJ $1,350, NDECC $6,500 or $3,250 per component
- National Dental Examining Board of Canada | NDECC registration – five-year rule, time extension criteria, tiered registration (9:00 AM Tier 2, 10:00 AM Tier 3)
- National Dental Examining Board of Canada | Proof of citizenship/PR collection – optional, can be submitted at any stage; Tier 2 prioritisation for NDECC registration
- FACTS Verify | Retake policy – fail one component retake only failed component; unlimited attempts within five years
- National Dental Examining Board of Canada | NDECC unlimited attempts within five-year period – no three-attempt limit unlike AFK/ACJ
- National Dental Examining Board of Canada | Withdrawal policy – 50% fee for withdrawals during registration window
- PrepDoctors | NDECC unlimited attempts within 60 months; two-day exam format
- ConfiDentist | Equivalency process timeline and retake planning