A Candidate is a pediatric dentist who has successfully completed the Qualifying Written Examination and is within the 6-year period necessary to complete the certification process. The Candidate is not considered a Diplomate until he/she has finished all the phases of the Certification Process.
A Candidate MUST be actively pursuing certification. A Candidate has six (6) years from the date of taking their first Qualifying Written Examination to complete the certification process. If certification is not achieved during the assigned period, Candidacy status is terminated and the Qualifying Written Examination results are forfeited.
The period of Candidacy for completion of the PBPD examinations may be extended by the Board upon written request by the Candidate. Extensions will only be considered if the candidate is pursuing additional education/training in an accredited program or in situations of documented medical disability and/or special circumstances. Inability of the Candidate to meet examination requirements will not be a ground for extension.
Use of the term Candidate:
The term Candidate is an administrative designation used by the Board in identifying dentists who have voluntarily submitted their credentials for verification and are actively in the credentialing process by application of appropriate examination after sitting for the QWE. It cannot be used as promotion by the pediatric dentist (including but not limited to letterhead, business cards, office brochures, telephone directories, or web sites).