Objectives: To study the diagnostic accuracy of the clinical examination of the Research Diagnostic Criteria (RDC) and of the dynamic and static pain tests for the recognition of temporomandibular disorder (TMD) pain. Methods: A blind examination, including all clinical tests needed for a RDC diagnosis of TMD pain, and the dynamic and static pain tests, was performed in 125 chronic TMD pain patients, 88 chronic dental pain patients, and 121 pain-free subjects. Allocation was based upon the results of an oral history and a dental examination. As indicators for diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of the RDC examination and of the dynamic and static pain tests were compared to recommended levels of .70 and .90, respectively. Results: For the RDC examination, high sensitivity (.88), but lower specificity (.45-.71) was found. The specificity did not reach its recommended level. For the dynamic and static pain tests, specificity (.84-.91) and sensitivity (.65) did not differ from the recommended levels. Comparing the outcomes of the two examinations showed that the positive likelihood ratios of the dynamic and static pain tests were higher (p<.001), while the negative likelihood ratios of the RDC examination were lower (p<.01). Conclusion: For the confirmation of a suspected TMD origin of orofacial pain, it is better to rely on the dynamic and static pain tests. To rule out a TMD origin, more value should be attached to the RDC examination (no funding sources).