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Dental Assistant
Dental assistant regulation varies significantly across states — some require licensure or registration while others have no formal requirements. DANB CDA certification, radiology certification, and expanded functions all depend on where you practice.
51
Total States
0
Require License
1
Require DANB
46
Allow OJT
50
Expanded Functions
15.9
Avg CE Hours
Dental assistant requirements range from no formal regulation to full licensure with education, certification, and examination requirements.
Some states require completion of a CODA-accredited dental assisting program, while many allow on-the-job training (OJT) as an alternative pathway. Minimum education is typically a high school diploma or GED.
The DANB Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) is the national certification standard. Many states also require a separate radiology certification to take dental X-rays. CPR certification is commonly required.
States may allow qualified dental assistants to perform expanded functions like coronal polishing, sealant application, fluoride application, impressions, and nitrous oxide monitoring — often requiring additional certification.
Click any column header to sort. Click a state to view full requirements.
| State | Credential | Regulation Type | DANB Required | Radiology Cert | OJT Allowed | Expanded Functions | Fees | CE Hours | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama(AL) | None | Unregulated | No | No | Yes | Yes | $0 | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| Alaska(AK) | Dental Assistant (no credential for basic); Coronal Polishing Certificate; Restorative Functions Certificate | Certification (for expanded functions only; basic dental assisting is unregulated) | No | No | Yes | Yes | $120 | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| Arizona(AZ) | EFDA / OPA | Certification (for radiology and expanded functions; basic dental assisting is unregulated) | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | $375+ | 12 | Mar 2026 |
| Arkansas(AR) | RDA | Registration/permit system (permits required for expanded functions; basic dental assisting is unregulated) | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | $50+ | 2 | Mar 2026 |
| California(CA) | RDA / RDAEF | Full licensure (most regulated state for dental assistants) | No | Yes | No | Yes | $75+ | 25 | Mar 2026 |
| Colorado(CO) | None | Unregulated (dental assistants are not licensed, registered, or certified by the state; scope of practice is defined by statute) | No | No | Yes | Yes | $0 | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| Connecticut(CT) | DA / EFDA | Mandatory DANB certification | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | $680+ | 6 | Mar 2026 |
| Delaware(DE) | None (basic DA) | Unregulated (basic DA); radiography certification only | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | $300 | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| District of Columbia(DC) | RDA Level I / RDA Level II | Registration required | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | $385-$810 | 24 | Mar 2026 |
| Florida(FL) | CDA / EDDA | Certification | No | Yes | No | Yes | $90+ | 18 | Mar 2026 |
| Georgia(GA) | EDDA | Unregulated (basic); EDDA certification for expanded duties | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | $0 | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| Hawaii(HI) | None | Unregulated | No | No | Yes | No | $0 | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| Idaho(ID) | None | Unregulated | No | No | Yes | Yes | $0 | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| Illinois(IL) | EDDA | Unregulated (basic DA); EDDA requires permit | No | No | Yes | Yes | $0 | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| Indiana(IN) | DA / EFDA | Unregulated (affidavit-based qualification system) | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | $0 | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| Iowa(IA) | RDA / QDA | Registration (optional as of July 2025) | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | $40-$60 | 20 | Mar 2026 |
| Kansas(KS) | None | Unregulated | No | No | Yes | Yes | $0 | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| Kentucky(KY) | None (listed on dentist's renewal) | Unregulated (DA registered through dentist's renewal) | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | $0 | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| Louisiana(LA) | EDDA | Unregulated (basic DA); EDDA certification for expanded duties | No | No | Yes | Yes | $100 (EDDA only) | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| Maine(ME) | Dental Radiographer / EFDA | Licensure | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | $161-$181 | 50 | Mar 2026 |
| Maryland(MD) | RDA | Registration | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | $100 | 12 | Mar 2026 |
| Massachusetts(MA) | DA | Registration | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | $75 | 20 | Mar 2026 |
| Michigan(MI) | RDA | Registration | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | $36 | 18 | Mar 2026 |
| Minnesota(MN) | LDA/RDA | Registration | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | $80 | 20 | Mar 2026 |
| Mississippi(MS) | RDA | Registration | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | $25 | 6 | Mar 2026 |
| Missouri(MO) | DA/EFDA | Unregulated (basic DA); Permit (EFDA) | No | No | Yes | Yes | $10 | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| Montana(MT) | DA | Permit | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | $50 | 12 | Mar 2026 |
| Nebraska(NE) | DA | Registration | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | $25 | 24 | Mar 2026 |
| Nevada(NV) | DA/EFDA | No registration required (basic DA); Registration (EFDA) | No | No | Yes | Yes | $200 | 12 | Mar 2026 |
| New Hampshire(NH) | DA | Registration | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | $50 | 12 | Mar 2026 |
| New Jersey(NJ) | RDA | Registration | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | $75 | 20 | Mar 2026 |
| New Mexico(NM) | RDA | Registration | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | $50 | 12 | Mar 2026 |
| New York(NY) | CDA | Certification | No | Yes | No | Yes | $175 | 18 | Mar 2026 |
| North Carolina(NC) | DA II / DA III | Registration | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | $50 | 6 | Mar 2026 |
| North Dakota(ND) | QDA / RDA | Registration | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | $130 | 16 | Mar 2026 |
| Ohio(OH) | CDA / EFDA | Certification | No | Yes | No | Yes | $100 | 12 | Mar 2026 |
| Oklahoma(OK) | DA Permit | Permit | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | $60 | 2 | Mar 2026 |
| Oregon(OR) | CDA / EFDA | Certification | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Varies by certificate type | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| Pennsylvania(PA) | EFDA | Certification (EFDA only; basic DA is unregulated) | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | $120 | 10 | Mar 2026 |
| Rhode Island(RI) | DA (unregulated) / EDDA | No state registration (basic DA unregulated; expanded functions require DANB) | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | — | 1 | Mar 2026 |
| South Carolina(SC) | DA (unregulated) / EDDA | No registration (basic DA unregulated; EDDA for expanded functions) | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | — | 2 | Mar 2026 |
| South Dakota(SD) | RDA | Registration | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | $20 | 60 | Mar 2026 |
| Tennessee(TN) | RDA | Registration | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | $37.50 | 24 | Mar 2026 |
| Texas(TX) | RDA | Registration | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | $70 | 12 | Mar 2026 |
| Utah(UT) | DA | Unregulated | No | No | Yes | Yes | $0 | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| Vermont(VT) | RDA/RCDA | Registration | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | $80 | 12 | Mar 2026 |
| Virginia(VA) | DA I / DA II | Registration | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | $50 | 16 | Mar 2026 |
| Washington(WA) | RDA | Registration | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | $90 | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| West Virginia(WV) | RDA | Registration | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | $50 | 10 | Mar 2026 |
| Wisconsin(WI) | DA / EFDA | Unregulated | No | No | Yes | Yes | $0 | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| Wyoming(WY) | DA Permit | Permit | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | — | 0 | Mar 2026 |
Dental assistants work alongside other dental and healthcare professionals. Explore related licensing requirements.
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