California Dental Assisting Requirements
Below are the Dental Assistant requirements for the State of California. To confirm that you meet these requirements or if you have any questions, please reach out to the California dental board.
Disclaimer:Â This data is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
Disclaimer:Â This data is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
Radiography
To legally operate dental X-ray equipment and perform dental radiographic procedures in California,
a dental assistant must meet the requirements shown below.
A dental assistant in California must be certified in radiography to legally operate dental X-ray equipment and perform dental radiographic procedures. To obtain state radiation safety certification, a dental assistant must:
1a. Successfully complete a California Board-approved radiation safety course which includes theory and clinical application in radiographic technique, or
1b. Have passed a radiation exam conducted by the California Board prior to Jan. 1, 1985. Completed a board-approved course in those function.
a dental assistant must meet the requirements shown below.
A dental assistant in California must be certified in radiography to legally operate dental X-ray equipment and perform dental radiographic procedures. To obtain state radiation safety certification, a dental assistant must:
1a. Successfully complete a California Board-approved radiation safety course which includes theory and clinical application in radiographic technique, or
1b. Have passed a radiation exam conducted by the California Board prior to Jan. 1, 1985. Completed a board-approved course in those function.
Unlicensed Dental Assistant
An Unlicensed Dental Assistant may perform basic supportive dental procedures under the supervision of a licensed dentist.
The employer is responsible for ensuring dental assistants maintain Basic Life Support (BLS) certification and that all dental assistants in continuous employment for 120 days or more have proof of completing all of the following within a year from date of employment:
1. A California Board-approved 2-hour course in the California Dental Practice Act, AND
2. A California Board-approved 8-hour course in infection control, AND
3. An ASHI, AHA, or ARC-approved course in BLS or any other course approved by the board as equivalent which includes hands-on simulated clinical scenarios
The employer is responsible for ensuring dental assistants maintain Basic Life Support (BLS) certification and that all dental assistants in continuous employment for 120 days or more have proof of completing all of the following within a year from date of employment:
1. A California Board-approved 2-hour course in the California Dental Practice Act, AND
2. A California Board-approved 8-hour course in infection control, AND
3. An ASHI, AHA, or ARC-approved course in BLS or any other course approved by the board as equivalent which includes hands-on simulated clinical scenarios
Registered Dental Assistant
To be licensed as a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) in California, one must:
1a. Graduate from a California Board-approved RDA educational program, or
1b. Complete 15 months of work experience as a dental assistant, or
1c. Complete a combination of a non-approved educational program and work experience, AND
2. Successfully complete California Board-approved courses in radiation safety and coronal polishing, AND
3. Successfully complete a 2-hour Board-approved course in the California Dental Practice Act and an 8-hour Board-approved infection control course within 5 years prior to application for licensure, AND
4. Successfully complete an ASHI, AHA, or ARC-approved course in Basic Life Support or one taught by a provider approved by the ADA’s Continuing Education Recognition Program (CERP) or the AGD’s Program Approval for Continuing Education (PACE), AND
5. Apply for licensure as an RDA to the Dental Board of California, AND
6. Pass the state combined written RDA General and Law and Ethics exam.
1a. Graduate from a California Board-approved RDA educational program, or
1b. Complete 15 months of work experience as a dental assistant, or
1c. Complete a combination of a non-approved educational program and work experience, AND
2. Successfully complete California Board-approved courses in radiation safety and coronal polishing, AND
3. Successfully complete a 2-hour Board-approved course in the California Dental Practice Act and an 8-hour Board-approved infection control course within 5 years prior to application for licensure, AND
4. Successfully complete an ASHI, AHA, or ARC-approved course in Basic Life Support or one taught by a provider approved by the ADA’s Continuing Education Recognition Program (CERP) or the AGD’s Program Approval for Continuing Education (PACE), AND
5. Apply for licensure as an RDA to the Dental Board of California, AND
6. Pass the state combined written RDA General and Law and Ethics exam.
Registered Dental Assistant in Extended Functions
To perform expanded functions under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist in California, a dental assistant must be licensed as a Registered Dental Assistant in Extended Functions (RDAEF). To register as an RDAEF, one must:
1a. Complete the requirements for Registered Dental Assistant licensure (see requirements above), or
1b. Successfully complete the requirements for RDA licensure, AND
2. Successfully complete a California Board-approved course in the application of pit and fissure sealants, AND
3. Successfully complete a California Board-approved extended functions educational program, AND
4. Apply to the Dental Board of California for licensure as a Registered Dental Assistant in Extended Functions.
5. Pass the California RDAEF written exam To qualify to perform the additional functions listed below, one must:
I. Provide evidence, satisfactory to the Dental Board of California, of having completed a board-approved course in those functions.
1a. Complete the requirements for Registered Dental Assistant licensure (see requirements above), or
1b. Successfully complete the requirements for RDA licensure, AND
2. Successfully complete a California Board-approved course in the application of pit and fissure sealants, AND
3. Successfully complete a California Board-approved extended functions educational program, AND
4. Apply to the Dental Board of California for licensure as a Registered Dental Assistant in Extended Functions.
5. Pass the California RDAEF written exam To qualify to perform the additional functions listed below, one must:
I. Provide evidence, satisfactory to the Dental Board of California, of having completed a board-approved course in those functions.
Orthodontic Assistant Permit Holder
To hold an Orthodontic Assistant permit in California, one must:
1a. Be an RDAEF.
1b. Be an RDA.
1c. Complete at least 12 months of work experience as a dental assistant, successfully complete a 2-hour Board-approved course in the California Dental Practice Act and an 8-hour course in infection control, and successfully complete an ASHI, AHA, or ARC-approved course in BLS or one taught by a provider approved by the ADA’s Continuing Education Recognition Program (CERP) or the AGD’s Program Approval for Continuing Education (PACE), AND
2. Successfully complete a California Board-approved orthodontic assistant course, AND
3. Pass the California Orthodontic Assistant Written Exam, AND
4. Apply for an Orthodontic Assistant permit to the Dental Board of California.
1a. Be an RDAEF.
1b. Be an RDA.
1c. Complete at least 12 months of work experience as a dental assistant, successfully complete a 2-hour Board-approved course in the California Dental Practice Act and an 8-hour course in infection control, and successfully complete an ASHI, AHA, or ARC-approved course in BLS or one taught by a provider approved by the ADA’s Continuing Education Recognition Program (CERP) or the AGD’s Program Approval for Continuing Education (PACE), AND
2. Successfully complete a California Board-approved orthodontic assistant course, AND
3. Pass the California Orthodontic Assistant Written Exam, AND
4. Apply for an Orthodontic Assistant permit to the Dental Board of California.
Dental Sedation Assistant Permit Holder
To hold a Dental Sedation Assistant permit in California, one must:
1a. Be an RDAEF.
1b. Be an RDA.
1c. Complete at least 12 months of work experience as a dental assistant, successfully complete a 2-hour Board-approved course in the California Dental Practice Act and an 8-hour course in infection control, and successfully complete an ASHI, AHA, or ARC-approved course in BLS or one taught by a provider approved by the ADA’s Continuing Education Recognition Program (CERP) or the AGD’s Program Approval for Continuing Education (PACE), AND
2. Successfully complete a California Board-approved dental sedation assistant course (may begin after six months of work experience as a dental assistant), AND
3. Pass the California Dental Sedation Assistant Written Exam, AND
4. Apply for a Dental Sedation Assistant permit to the Dental Board of California
Recommended Course
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Resource Links
Frequently Asked Questions
To become a dental assistant in the state of California, visit the California Dental Assistant Requirements for more detailed information.
To perform dental radiography procedures in the state of California, visit the California Radiography Requirements for more detailed information.
To perform expanded function in the state of California, visit the California Expanded Dental Assistant Requirements for more detailed information.
Dental AssistEd offers CE courses which are PACE certified through the Academy of General Dentistry; view the courses here.
Dental AssistEd offers an OSHA certification course here
Dental AssistEd offers a HIPAA certification course here
Dental AssistEd offers a sexual harassment prevention training certification course here
Dental AssistEd offers a Bloodborne pathogens certification course  here
Dental AssistEd offers an opioid training certification course here
Dental AssistEd offers an Equity for & Bias against LGBTQ certification course here
Dental AssistEd offers an Armed Intruder certification course here