You can become a dental assistant through a program of about a year or, in some states, by learning on the job, so your state’s rules decide the route. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) says some states require graduation from an accredited program and an exam, while others have no formal education requirement. The Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) says its national certification is recognized or required in many states, and states set their own rules for tasks such as x-rays. In Texas, for example, you need a state radiology certificate to take x-rays.
This guide is desk research from DANB, the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (TSBDE), the Dental Board of California and BLS data, checked between October 5 and October 9, 2026. Program and exam costs vary, so check them with each school and DANB.
What dental assistants do
BLS says dental assistants handle patient care, x-rays, recordkeeping and scheduling. Typical duties include preparing patients and the work area, sterilizing instruments, handing instruments to the dentist, keeping patients’ mouths dry with suction, processing x-rays and completing lab tasks under a dentist’s direction, and scheduling appointments.
Each state regulates what dental assistants may do. BLS says some states let assistants polish teeth or apply sealants, fluoride or topical anesthetic. About 91 percent of dental assistants work in dentists’ offices, most work full time, and some work evenings or weekends.
Training routes
| Route | Length | What it leads to |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate or diploma program | Many take about 1 year | A certificate or diploma |
| Associate’s degree program | About 2 years; less common | An associate’s degree |
| On-the-job training | Set by the employer | Learning in the office, where states allow it |
BLS says most programs are at community colleges, though vocational and technical schools also offer them. Accredited programs include classroom and lab work plus supervised practical experience. Without formal training, a dentist, hygienist or experienced assistant teaches new assistants dental terminology, instrument names and daily tasks on the job.
DANB’s program pathway to the CDA requires graduation from a program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). If you plan to use that pathway, check a program’s CODA accreditation before you enroll.
DANB certification
DANB says its Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) credential is held by more than 35,000 dental assistants and is recognized or required in many states. It is made up of three exams, which DANB says you can take separately or in combinations:
- Radiation Health and Safety (RHS)
- Infection Control (ICE)
- General Chairside Assisting (GC)
DANB lists three eligibility pathways for the CDA:
| Pathway | Requirements |
|---|---|
| I | Graduation from a CODA-accredited dental assisting or dental hygiene program, plus current CPR, BLS or ACLS |
| II | High school graduation or equivalent, at least 3,500 hours of approved work experience, plus current CPR, BLS or ACLS |
| III | Former CDA status, or certain dental school or dental degree backgrounds, plus current CPR, BLS or ACLS |
The CPR, BLS or ACLS must be hands-on and from a DANB-accepted provider. DANB also offers an entry-level certification, the National Entry Level Dental Assistant (NELDA), made up of three exams, which it says puts you on the path to the CDA.
State rules: two examples
BLS says states typically don’t license entry-level dental assistants, but some require a license, registration or certification for entry, advancement or specific tasks such as x-rays and infection control.
Texas. To position or expose dental x-rays, a dental assistant must hold a Dental Assistant Radiology Certificate from TSBDE. Applicants need:
- a high school diploma or GED
- fingerprints for a criminal history check
- a current hands-on BLS course (online courses aren’t accepted)
- a human trafficking prevention course approved by Texas Health and Human Services
- either a TSBDE-approved course and exam, or a current DANB certificate plus TSBDE’s jurisprudence assessment within a year of applying
California. The Dental Board of California says unlicensed dental assistants may not perform certain duties, which require a license or permit. The Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) license has several pathways, including:
- a board-approved RDA educational program
- at least 15 months and 1,280 hours of work experience as a dental assistant
- a non-board-approved dental assisting program plus work experience totaling at least 15 months and 1,280 hours
- DANB’s CDA, held with active status
Each pathway also requires board-approved courses in radiation safety, coronal polishing, pit and fissure sealants, infection control, the California Dental Practice Act and basic life support. Applicants then pass the RDA combined written and law and ethics exam and submit fingerprints.
Before you choose a program, look up your own state’s dental board and ask which tasks need a permit, registration or license, and which programs or exams it accepts.
The outlook in numbers
| BLS measure | Dental assistants |
|---|---|
| Median annual wage, May 2025 | $48,070 |
| Lowest and highest 10 percent | Less than $37,130; more than $62,250 |
| Jobs in 2025 | About 388,600 |
| Projected growth, 2025 to 2035 | 7 percent (much faster than average) |
| Openings per year, on average | About 53,000 |
| Typical entry-level education | Postsecondary nondegree award |
BLS links demand to research connecting oral health and general health, dentists hiring assistants for routine tasks, an aging population and people keeping more of their original teeth.
Dental assistant pay by state
BLS state data for May 2025 shows the five states with the most dental assistants, then the highest and lowest medians among the states and the District of Columbia. BLS did not publish a Kansas estimate for this occupation.
| State | Jobs | Median annual wage | Lowest 10% earned less than |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 56,220 | $50,110 | $38,790 |
| Texas | 33,230 | $45,430 | $35,400 |
| Florida | 26,620 | $47,620 | $37,800 |
| New York | 19,800 | $48,110 | $36,410 |
| Illinois | 13,740 | $48,610 | $37,360 |
| Minnesota (highest median) | 5,980 | $65,270 | $46,960 |
| Utah (lowest median) | 6,640 | $37,760 | $35,380 |
A state median includes experienced assistants, so a first offer may be lower. Our guide to salary by state for healthcare roles shows how to weigh these figures against local costs.
A practical order of steps
- Look up your state dental board’s rules for dental assistants, x-rays and expanded duties.
- Decide between a CODA-accredited program and on-the-job training, based on what your state requires and how fast you need to start.
- Get hands-on CPR or BLS from a provider your state and DANB accept.
- Track your work hours from day one if you might use DANB’s 3,500-hour pathway or a state work-experience route.
- Add the state permit or registration your target offices ask for, such as radiology.
If you are comparing chairside work with other short healthcare paths, our medical assistant certification guide and healthcare certificate jobs guide set out the alternatives.
FAQ
How long does it take to become a dental assistant?
BLS says many dental assisting programs take about 1 year and lead to a certificate or diploma, while 2-year programs lead to an associate’s degree. In states with no formal education requirement, assistants can learn on the job instead.
Do dental assistants need a license?
BLS says states typically don’t require licenses for entry-level dental assistants, but some require licensing, registration or certification for tasks like x-rays or for expanded duties. Texas, for example, requires a radiology certificate to position or expose dental x-rays.
Can I get DANB certified without going to school?
Yes. DANB’s CDA has a work-experience pathway: high school graduation or the equivalent, at least 3,500 hours of approved work experience, and current hands-on CPR, BLS or ACLS from a DANB-accepted provider.
What is the CDA exam?
DANB’s Certified Dental Assistant exam is made up of three exams: Radiation Health and Safety (RHS), Infection Control (ICE) and General Chairside Assisting (GC). DANB says you can take them separately or in combinations.
How much do dental assistants make?
BLS reports a median annual wage of $48,070 for dental assistants in May 2025. Among states, medians ranged from $37,760 in Utah to $65,270 in Minnesota.
Sources
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Dental Assistants (last modified August 27, 2026)
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 state data
- DANB: Certified Dental Assistant exam
- DANB: Earn dental assistant certification
- TSBDE: Registered Dental Assistant X-Ray Certification
- Dental Board of California: How to become a Registered Dental Assistant
See Also
Keep planning your next move with Sterile Processing Technician vs Surgical Technologist: Training, Certification and Pay, Medical Assistant Certification: CCMA vs CMA, Training Length and Pay, and Healthcare Certificate Jobs for Beginners: How to Choose Your Path.
To compare another path, cost, or salary trade-off, read Sybex CompTIA A+ Study Guide Review: Check the Sixth Edition and Both Exams and Certificates for Remote Work: Check the Actual Role Before Enrolling next.