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NDHCE — frequently asked questions
Quick, sourced answers to what candidates ask most. For detail, follow the links into the full guide.
How many questions are on the NDHCE?
200 multiple-choice questions in two sections of 100, two hours each, with a 15-minute break. Of these, 170 are scored and 30 are unscored pilot items you can’t identify.
What is the passing score?
Results use a scaled score from 200 to 800, with a typical pass mark around 550. You are only told pass or fail — never your numeric score.
How much does the NDHCE cost in 2026?
Registration is $850 CAD plus tax (a $62 portion is non-refundable). The separate CPEDH clinical exam is $2,730 and the equivalency assessment is $1,075. The “$1,075 exam fee” sometimes quoted is actually the equivalency fee, not the exam.
How many times can I take the NDHCE?
A maximum of three attempts. If it’s your final attempt, candidates strongly advise deferring until you feel ready rather than writing on schedule.
How long do results take?
Scoring takes 4–6 weeks. Unofficial results post online after about four weeks (by your ID number); official results are mailed within six weeks. Results are never given by phone.
Is the NDHCE required in Quebec?
No. Quebec is the only province that does not use the NDHCE. It runs its own French-language equivalence process through the OHDQ. Every other province and territory requires the NDHCE.
How often is the exam offered?
About three times a year — January, May and September — over a two-day window, at test centres only. Remote proctoring was discontinued in January 2024.
Is the NDHCE the same as the US NBDHE?
No. The NBDHE is the separate US exam (run by the JCNDE and delivered by Pearson VUE). The Canadian NDHCE is delivered by Meazure Learning. Content overlaps ~70–80%, but Canadian specifics differ — notably FDI tooth numbering, Canadian ethics and regulation, and Canadian drug references.
What should I study first?
The four official FDHRC preparatory tests (they run on the real exam engine), then close the Canada-specific gaps. Clinical Therapy plus Prevention/Education make up ~55–65% of the exam, and about 80% of items test application and reasoning rather than recall.
Does passing the NDHCE license me to practise?
No. It earns a national certificate; you still register with your provincial regulator, which may add a jurisprudence exam, background check, insurance and language proof.
Last reviewed: 4 August 2026.