National Entry Level Dental Assistant
Passing the National Entry Level Dental Assistant (NELDA) exam can jump-start your dental assisting career. Learn about the exam requirements, how to apply, how to prepare, and what to expect on exam day.
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Important Information
These resources will help you apply and prepare for the exam.
Timeline & Requirements
TEST WINDOW
60 DAYS
TEST TIME
180 MINUTES
TEST QUESTIONS
235 QUESTIONS
Eligibility Requirements & Pathways
Pathway I
- Graduation from a dental assisting program located within a post-secondary institution that is accredited by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education but is not CODA-accredited
- High school graduation or equivalent
- Current hands-on CPR, BLS or ACLS from a DANB-accepted provider
Pathway II
- Graduation from a U.S. Department of Labor Job Corps dental assisting program
- Current hands-on CPR, BLS or ACLS from a DANB-accepted provider
Pathway III
- Successful completion of a DANB-accepted dental assisting program located within a high school that is recognized by a state or federal agency in the U.S. education system
- Current hands-on CPR, BLS or ACLS from a DANB-accepted provider
Pathway IV
- High school graduation or equivalent
- Minimum of 300 and up to a maximum of 3,000 hours work experience as a dental assistant, accrued over a period of at least two months and no more than three years; employment must be verified by a licensed dentist
- Current hands-on CPR, BLS or ACLS from a DANB-accepted provider
Testing Options
Test Center
Read about what to expect when you take your exam in-person at a test center.
DALE Foundation Study Materials
NELDA Exam Prep Bundle
This complete package includes all the practice tests and review courses for DANB’s NELDA exam.
NELDA Review Courses
Study for DANB’s NELDA exam with four comprehensive review courses, all part of this discounted bundle.
NELDA Practice Tests
Prepare for DANB’s NELDA exam with all three practice tests together in one cost-saving package.