In a notice dated 13 August 2026, the National Dental Examining Board of Canada set out that from 1 September 2026 it is replacing its single registration period for the AFK, ACJ and Virtual OSCE with two.
A first registration opens on a set date and closes when all locations fill. A second registration opens roughly six to eight weeks before the exam, releasing seats freed by withdrawals or added capacity. Candidates can transfer between exam locations only while registration is open, and cannot transfer between the two periods.
Withdrawal fees change on the same date: withdrawing before the registration deadline costs 50% of the exam fee, and after it 100%. Against the current fees — AFK at CAD 1,000 and ACJ at CAD 1,350 — that is the difference between losing half a fee and losing all of it. Approved medical and exceptional-circumstance withdrawals are unaffected.