The NDECC (formerly the ACS)
Last reviewed 2026-09-27
The National Dental Examination of Clinical Competence is the final Equivalency Process assessment. It replaced the older Assessment of Clinical Skills (ACS) and has two components.
1. Clinical Skills
A full day on a typodont mounted in a manikin on a dental chair. You perform:
- Class II amalgam preparation
- Class II amalgam restoration
- Class II composite resin restoration
- Class IV composite resin restoration
- Endodontic access cavity preparation
- Crown preparation (metal-ceramic or all-ceramic: lithium disilicate or zirconia)
- Provisional crown restoration
Software can't train your hands. Use the hands-on prep checklist to plan supervised typodont practice.
2. Situational Judgement
A half-day component of 10 stations, two in each of five blueprint categories:
- Communication & collaboration
- Patient-centred care
- Health promotion
- Professionalism
- Practice & information management
To pass you need 6 of 10 stations and at least one station in every category, so a single weak category can fail you even with a high total.
Fees and time limit
- $6,500 for both components, or $3,250 per component for a retake.
- You have 5 years to pass both components. This is enforced from May 2027; after that you stop being an Equivalency Process candidate and can't reapply.
Get through the written steps first
The NDECC comes after the AFK and ACJ. Build that foundation now.
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Frequently asked questions
Is the NDECC the same as the ACS?
The NDECC replaced the Assessment of Clinical Skills (ACS). It keeps a hands-on typodont component and adds a Situational Judgement component.
How do I pass the NDECC Situational Judgement component?
You need to pass 6 of the 10 stations, including at least one station in each of the five blueprint categories.
How long do I have to pass the NDECC?
Five years to pass both components. From May 2027, candidates who have not passed within five years cease to be Equivalency Process candidates.