The ORE explained

Who can sit the ORE?

• A qualification not recognised for UK registration. You upload a certified copy of your degree certificate and a UK ENIC Statement of Comparability.
• Clinical experience. At least 1,600 hours treating patients in the dental chair. Forms must be signed by your dean (for your degree years) or by an employer who is registered with the regulator in the country where you worked, and must be no more than three months old when you apply.
• English. The GDC accepts a recent dental degree taught and examined entirely in English, an IELTS pass at the GDC’s required scores, a recent language test pass for registration in an English-first country, recent and continuous practice in an English-first country, or a structured reference. The GDC is reviewing this guidance, so check its page on English language controls.
• Other documents. A character reference, your passport for the online identity check, and a Certificate of Good Standing from the last country where you worked as a dentist.

The structure of the exam

Part 1: written

Two computer-based papers, each three hours, taken in person. Paper A covers dental science and human disease. Paper B covers clinical dentistry, law and ethics, and health and safety. You must pass both papers to move on to Part 2.

Part 2: practical, in London

Part 2 is held in person over several days at the UCL Eastman Dental Institute. It has four components.

• Operative test on a dental manikin. Three procedures over three hours, mainly tooth preparation and restoration.
• OSCE. A series of clinical skills stations.
• Diagnosis and treatment planning. You receive a history from an actor and materials such as radiographs and photographs, and you must diagnose and plan treatment.
• Medical emergencies. A structured scenario-based oral and a single-handed basic life support demonstration, including CPR on a manikin.

Attempts and time limits

You have up to four attempts at Part 1 and up to four attempts at Part 2. If you fail either part four times, you cannot sit the ORE again. You must pass Part 2 within five years of first attempting Part 1.

ORE fees

Item	Fee
Application processing fee	£115
ORE Part 1	£485
ORE Part 2	£6,967
Retake of medical emergencies only	£686

These are the GDC’s current published fees, paid to the GDC. Each attempt must be paid for again. Fees can change, so check the GDC website before you apply.

How to apply

1. Apply to the GDC. Use the GDC’s online system, pay the application fee and upload your documents.
2. Wait for approval. The GDC checks your documents and references. Missing or out-of-date documents cause delays.
3. Book your exam. Once your application succeeds, you book Part 1 through your MyGDC account. Places can fill quickly, so watch the booking dates.
4. Book Part 2. After you pass Part 1, you can book Part 2 for one of the listed sittings.
5. Register. After you pass both parts, apply for full GDC registration.

An alternative route: the LDS

Passing the Licence in Dental Surgery (LDS), awarded by the Royal College of Surgeons of England, also gives you full GDC registration. It has three parts, costs less in exam fees and gives you fewer attempts at Parts 2 and 3. Read our full guide: The LDS explained.

Recent results

Dentistry.co.uk reports that 27% of candidates passed the ORE Part 2 sitting in September 2026, the first run under the new contractor. The April 2026 sitting had a 56% pass rate, and the three sittings before that were 76% to 77%. The GDC says it refreshed the exam content to reflect current clinical practice and that the pass standard was set appropriately. In September, 44% of candidates failed the medical emergencies exercise, 41% failed the OSCE and 96% passed diagnosis and treatment planning. Treat the exam as demanding and prepare for each part. Source: Dentistry.co.uk, 21 October 2026.

Exam dates and places, 2026/27

A new contract year began on 31 May 2026. The GDC has appointed UCL Consultants (part of University College London) to run the ORE, and more places are available. Dentistry.co.uk reports these sittings:

Part 1	Part 2
25–26 August 2026 14–15 October 2026 2–3 February 2027 6–7 April 2027 Up to 600 places per sitting	10–13 September 2026 (144 places) 26–29 November 2026 (200 places) 21–24 January 2027 (200 places) 4–7 March 2027 (200 places) 15–18 April 2027 (200 places)

• More capacity. In year one there are 2,400 Part 1 places and 944 Part 2 places, up from 1,800 and 720 in 2025. Part 2 capacity is planned to reach 1,500 places a year by year three.
• Booking. You book sittings through your MyGDC account. The GDC is introducing a new candidate portal for exams in 2027, after problems with the first booking window.
• Priority. Candidates close to the five-year limit for Part 2, and candidates with refugee status, receive priority access.
• Fee changes. In May 2026 the Part 2 fee rose by 65%, from £4,235 to £6,967. The Part 1 fee fell from £584 to £485. The GDC expects the fees to stay broadly stable for about five years. Dentistry.co.uk also reports that VAT now applies to the ORE fee, so check the GDC for the exact amount you will pay.

Source: Dentistry.co.uk, 7 May 2026, and the GDC website. Dates and places can change.