Part 2 ORE fee jumps 65% as GDC confirms first exam sittings
Internationally qualified dentists must budget £6,967 for Part 2 ORE from August 2026. First booking window opens 30 June.
The General Dental Council has confirmed a 65% increase in the Part 2 Overseas Registration Examination fee, rising from £4,235 to £6,967, effective under a new contract with UCL Consultants Ltd. The Part 1 fee falls 17% to £485, while the application processing fee rises 20% to £115. VAT now applies to all ORE fees.
Why fees are increasing and what changes
The GDC attributed the Part 2 fee rise to the cost of specialist clinical facilities, experienced examiners, and capital investment in facilities and equipment. The regulator said the fee has been set to remain broadly stable over the next five years. The new contract replaces the year-to-year uncertainty that previously surrounded ORE capacity and scheduling. Under the old system, 354 internationally qualified dentists joined the UK register via the ORE in 2024; once fully scaled, the new arrangements could support up to 1,500 per year. Around a third of the UK dental register qualified overseas, making ORE capacity a key part of the workforce pipeline.
First exam dates and capacity in 2026/27
The first sittings under the new contract begin August 2026. The contract year runs from 31 May 2026 to 30 May 2027. Year one capacity includes four Part 1 sittings offering 600 places each (2,400 total) and five Part 2 sittings offering between 144 and 200 places each (944 total). This represents an increase from 1,800 Part 1 and 720 Part 2 places in 2025. Part 2 capacity is set to increase to 1,500 places per year by year three. Candidates will book sittings through their MyGDC account starting 30 June 2026. The GDC acknowledged that demand will continue to outstrip supply in the short term but prioritized patient safety and candidate experience in designing the expansion.
Frequently asked questions
What is the new Part 2 ORE fee from August 2026?
The Part 2 ORE fee rises from £4,235 to £6,967, an increase of £2,732 or 65%. The Part 1 fee falls 17% to £485, and the application processing fee rises 20% to £115. VAT now applies to all ORE fees.
When are the first Part 2 ORE sittings under the new contract?
The first Part 2 sittings run from September 2026 to April 2027, with five sittings scheduled: 10-13 September 2026 (144 places), 26-29 November 2026 (200 places), 21-24 January 2027 (200 places), 4-7 March 2027 (200 places), and 15-18 April 2027 (200 places).
When can candidates book ORE sittings through MyGDC?
The booking window for the August Part 1 sitting opens on 30 June 2026. Candidates will access bookings through their MyGDC account for the first time under the new system.
How many internationally qualified dentists can join the UK register annually under the new contract?
Once fully scaled, the new arrangements could support up to 1,500 internationally qualified dentists joining the register each year. In year one (2026/27), capacity is 2,400 Part 1 places and 944 Part 2 places. Part 2 capacity will increase to 1,500 places per year by year three.
Why did the GDC increase the Part 2 ORE fee by 65%?
The GDC attributed the rise to the cost of specialist clinical facilities, experienced examiners, and capital investment by UCL Consultants Ltd in facilities and equipment. The fee is intended to remain broadly stable over the next five years.
