Undergraduate Education

• All prosthodonists have to go to dental school. To go to dental school, you must have at least two years of undergraduate coursework, the equivalent of an associate degree, says the Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, the BLS further points out that most dentists have bachelor's degrees. Ideally, your degree should be in a science field like biology or chemistry, but you can major in anything as long as you still take the science courses dental schools require as prerequisites.
  
  

Application to Dental School and the DAT

• After you complete your undergraduate education requirements, the next step is to go to dental school. As part of the application process, you must take the Dental Admissions Test. This is similar to the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) used by medical schools for physicians. You must submit your DAT score along with other admission documents like a personal statement or undergraduate course records to the dental schools of your choice.
  
  

Dental School/Doctoral Degree

• Once accepted to a dental school, complete the required curriculum. The first two years of study will focus on science-related courses like math, physics, physiology and anatomy. The second two years of your program involve clinical work, where you learn hands-on with patients under the supervision of a licensed dentist. Dental school typically takes four years to finish. When you are done, your program will award you either the Doctor of Dental Medicine (DDM) or Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree.
  
  

Initial Licensure

• All dentists, including prosthodonists, must have a current state license in order to practice. To get a license, take the National Board Dental Examination or whatever equivalent examination your state has adopted. Some states require an oral test in addition to the written exam. Depending on your state, you also may need to take jurisprudence exams that test your knowledge of local medical/dental regulations.
  
  

Post-Doctorate Work

• Once you have your license, apply for a prosthodontics program or internship. This program or internship lasts three years. This is the portion of your training where you learn the techniques specific to the prosthodontic subspecialty, such as how to design, measure and fit a prosthetic.
  
  

Final Exams and Certifications

• After your prosthodontist program/internship, you may have to take another state exam specific to prosthodontics. This varies by state. You also should apply for board certification through the American Board of Prosthodontics (ABP), which also requires an exam. Following these requirements, apply for open positions and take continuing education courses as required to keep your certifications and license current.