DLOSCE Administration Schedule and Retest Policies: What You Need to Know

The DLOSCE (Dental Licensure Objective Structured Clinical Examination) is a pivotal exam for dental licensure, and understanding its administration schedule and retest policies is essential for effective preparation. Administered by the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations (JCNDE), the DLOSCE spans a structured six hours and 45 minutes, with specific sections, optional breaks, and clear rules for retesting. In this blog post, we’ll break down the schedule, highlight key policies, and provide a handy chart to keep you on track. The DLOSCE Administration Schedule

The DLOSCE examination is designed to test your clinical skills across multiple sections, with a total duration of 6 hours and 45 minutes. This includes an optional tutorial, question sections, prescription tasks, scheduled breaks, and a post-exam survey. Below is a detailed chart of the administration schedule

Section

Minutes

Tutorial (optional)

25

Section 1 (37 Questions)

75

Scheduled Break (optional)

10

Section 2 (37 Questions)

75

Section 3 (2 Prescription Tasks)

10

Scheduled Break (optional)

30

Section 4 (37 Questions)

75

Scheduled Break (optional)

10

Section 5 (37 Questions)

75

Post-examination Survey

20

Total Time

405 (6 hours 45 minutes)

Key Details

Tutorial (25 minutes): An optional introduction to familiarize yourself with the exam interface, including how to manipulate 3D models.

Question Sections (75 minutes each): Sections 1, 2, 4, and 5 each contain 37 questions, covering areas like restorative, prosthodontics, and oral surgery (see the “Examination Specifications” in the DLOSCE Candidate Guide for a full content outline).

Prescription Tasks (10 minutes): Section 3 includes 2 prescription tasks, testing your ability to prescribe antibiotics and analgesics.

Scheduled Breaks (optional): Three breaks—two at 10 minutes and one at 30 minutes—allow you to step away, recharge, or access personal belongings if needed.

Survey (20 minutes): A post-exam questionnaire to provide feedback on your experience.

If you experience a lag while items load (e.g., 3D models or images), don’t worry—the timer pauses during loading, ensuring no time is lost from your total allocation. Unscheduled Breaks: Strict Rules Apply

Taking a break outside the designated scheduled breaks is classified as an unscheduled break. During these, you’re under tight restrictions

No access to personal belongings, notes, phones, food, drinks, or lockers.

No leaving the test center.

These rules maintain exam integrity, so plan to use the scheduled breaks strategically for restroom visits, snacks, or a mental reset. Retest Policies: Limits and Consequences

The DLOSCE has specific policies governing administration attempts and retries

One Attempt per Testing Window: You’re limited to one administration attempt per testing period. Check prometric.com for site availability and scheduling details.

Forfeiture of Fees: If you’re approved for a testing window but don’t take the exam, you’ll forfeit all application fees—no refunds or carryovers.

Five Attempts or Five Years: If you haven’t passed after five attempts or within five years of your first try, you’re restricted to one attempt per 12-month period. This gives you time to refine your skills but slows your retry pace.

U.S. Administration: The DLOSCE is offered in the U.S. for use by U.S. dental boards, so plan your testing location accordingly.

These policies underscore the importance of thorough preparation—each attempt counts, and repeated failures come with increasing limitations. Tips for Managing the Schedule

To make the most of the 6-hour-45-minute duration

Start with the Tutorial: Use the optional 25-minute tutorial to get comfortable with the interface, especially if you’re new to 3D model questions.

Pace Yourself: Each 75-minute section (37 questions) gives you about 2 minutes per question. Stay mindful of time, especially with complex tasks.

Use Breaks Wisely: The 30-minute break after the prescription tasks is your longest—perfect for a quick meal or stretch. The shorter 10-minute breaks work for a breather.

Prepare for Prescription Tasks: Section 3 is short (10 minutes), so practice these tasks beforehand to move quickly and accurately.

Check Prometric: Visit prometric.com early to secure your preferred test date and location within the testing window.

Why It Matters The DLOSCE administration schedule is structured to balance rigor with fairness, giving you ample time to demonstrate your skills across 148 questions and 2 prescription tasks. The retest policies encourage serious preparation while offering a safety net for those who need multiple tries. Understanding these logistics helps you approach the exam with a clear strategy, avoiding pitfalls like forfeited fees or unscheduled break violations. Final Thoughts With a total of 6 hours and 45 minutes, the DLOSCE is a marathon, not a sprint. Familiarize yourself with the administration schedule, respect the retest policies, and plan your day—from the optional tutorial to the final survey. Whether it’s your first attempt or a retake after hitting the five-year mark, preparation and time management are your keys to success. Head to prometric.com to lock in your spot, and get ready to ace the DLOSCE!