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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.
Side-by-side fees, hours, exams, and timelines across all 50 states. Sort by cost, hours, or any column.
Compare All StatesFind out if your license transfers to another state and what extra steps are needed.
Check ReciprocityBrowse approved programs by state — compare costs, requirements, and timelines.
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 | March 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 | March 2026 |
| Arizona(AZ) | EFDA / OPA | Certification (for radiology and expanded functions; basic dental assisting is unregulated) | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | $375+ | 12 | March 2026 |
| Arkansas(AR) | RDA | Permit system: dental assistants must hold a current permit issued by the ASBDE to perform dental radiography, coronal polishing, administration/monitoring of nitrous oxide, and sedation monitoring. Basic dental assisting duties not on this list do not require a permit. | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | $50+ | 2 | March 2026 |
| California(CA) | RDA / RDAEF | Full licensure — Board licenses, monitors, and disciplines RDAs and RDAEFs | No | Yes | No | Yes | $75+ | 25 | March 2026 |
| Colorado(CO) | None | Unregulated – The Board does not regulate or require the registration of dental assistants or expanded duty dental assistants. | No | No | Yes | Yes | $0 | 0 | March 2026 |
| Connecticut(CT) | Dental Assistant / Expanded Function Dental Assistant | Mandatory DANB certification | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | $680+ | 6 | March 2026 |
| Delaware(DE) | None (basic DA) | Unregulated (basic DA); radiography certification required via Delaware ORC | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | $300 | 0 | March 2026 |
| District of Columbia(DC) | RDA Level I / RDA Level II | Registration required | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | $385-$810 | 24 | March 2026 |
| Florida(FL) | CDA / EDDA | Certification (credential-based, not full licensure) | No | Yes | No | Yes | $90+ | 18 | March 2026 |
| Georgia(GA) | EDDA | Unregulated (basic); EDDA certification for expanded duties | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | $0 | 0 | March 2026 |
| Hawaii(HI) | None | Unregulated | No | No | Yes | No | $0 | 0 | March 2026 |
| Idaho(ID) | None | Unregulated (no dental assistant license or registration category exists) | No | No | Yes | Yes | $0 | 0 | March 2026 |
| Illinois(IL) | EDDA | Unregulated (basic DA); EDDA requires permit | No | No | Yes | Yes | $0 | 0 | March 2026 |
| Indiana(IN) | DA / EFDA | Unregulated (affidavit-based qualification system) | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | $0 | 0 | March 2026 |
| Iowa(IA) | RDA / QDA | Registration (optional as of July 1, 2025) | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | $40-$60 | 20 | March 2026 |
| Kansas(KS) | None | Unregulated (no licensure or certification required for basic dental assisting) | No | No | Yes | Yes | $0 | 0 | March 2026 |
| Kentucky(KY) | None (listed on dentist's renewal) | No license issued; registration through employer dentist's renewal every two years | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | $0 | 0 | March 2026 |
| Louisiana(LA) | EDDA | Unregulated (basic DA); EDDA certification for expanded duties | No | No | Yes | Yes | $100 (EDDA only) | 0 | March 2026 |
| Maine(ME) | Dental Radiographer (RAD) / Expanded Function Dental Assistant (EFDA) | Licensure | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | $161-$181 | 50 | March 2026 |
| Maryland(MD) | RDA | Registration | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | $100 | 12 | March 2026 |
| Massachusetts(MA) | DA | Registration | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | $75 | 20 | March 2026 |
| Michigan(MI) | RDA | Registration | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | $36 | 18 | March 2026 |
| Minnesota(MN) | LDA/RDA | Registration | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | $80 | 20 | March 2026 |
| Mississippi(MS) | RDA | Registration | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | $25 | 6 | March 2026 |
| Missouri(MO) | DA/EFDA | Unregulated (basic DA); Permit required (EFDA) | No | No | Yes | Yes | $10 | 0 | March 2026 |
| Montana(MT) | DA | Permit | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | $50 | 12 | March 2026 |
| Nebraska(NE) | DA | Registration | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | $25 | 24 | March 2026 |
| Nevada(NV) | DA/EFDA | No registration required (basic DA); Registration (EFDA) | No | No | Yes | Yes | $200 | 12 | March 2026 |
| New Hampshire(NH) | DA | Registration | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | $50 | 12 | March 2026 |
| New Jersey(NJ) | RDA | Registration | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | $75 | 20 | March 2026 |
| New Mexico(NM) | RDA | Registration | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | $50 | 12 | March 2026 |
| New York(NY) | CDA | Certification | No | Yes | No | Yes | $175 | 18 | March 2026 |
| North Carolina(NC) | DA II / DA III | Registration | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | $50 | 6 | March 2026 |
| North Dakota(ND) | QDA / RDA | Registration | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | $130 | 16 | March 2026 |
| Ohio(OH) | CDA / EFDA | Certification | No | Yes | No | Yes | $100 | 12 | March 2026 |
| Oklahoma(OK) | DA Permit | Permit | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | $60 | 2 | March 2026 |
| Oregon(OR) | CDA / EFDA | Certification | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Varies by certificate type | 0 | March 2026 |
| Pennsylvania(PA) | EFDA | Certification (EFDA only; basic DA is unregulated) | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | $120 | 10 | March 2026 |
| Rhode Island(RI) | DA (unregulated) / EDDA | No state registration (basic DA unregulated; expanded functions require DANB) | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | — | 1 | March 2026 |
| South Carolina(SC) | DA (unregulated) / EDDA | No registration (basic DA unregulated; EDDA for expanded functions) | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | — | 2 | March 2026 |
| South Dakota(SD) | RDA | Registration | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | $20 | 60 | March 2026 |
| Tennessee(TN) | RDA | Registration | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | $37.50 | 24 | March 2026 |
| Texas(TX) | RDA | Registration | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | $70 | 12 | March 2026 |
| Utah(UT) | DA | Unregulated | No | No | Yes | Yes | $0 | 0 | March 2026 |
| Vermont(VT) | RDA/RCDA | Registration | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | $80 | 12 | March 2026 |
| Virginia(VA) | DA I / DA II | Registration | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | $50 | 16 | March 2026 |
| Washington(WA) | RDA (Registered Dental Assistant) | Registration | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | $90 | 0 | March 2026 |
| West Virginia(WV) | RDA | Registration | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | $50 | 10 | March 2026 |
| Wisconsin(WI) | DA / EFDA | Unregulated | No | No | Yes | Yes | $0 | 0 | March 2026 |
| Wyoming(WY) | DA Permit | Permit | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | — | 0 | March 2026 |
Dental assistants work alongside other dental and healthcare professionals. Explore related licensing requirements.
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