California Dental Assistant Requirements

The requirements set forth below are valid only until July 1, 2025. See note at the bottom of the page for more information.

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 a course 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 examination and licensure as an RDA to the Dental Board of California, AND

6. Pass the state RDA Combined Written and Law and Ethics exam and obtain background clearance by the board.

Note: With passage of Senate Bill 1453 in 2024 by the California State Legislature, the above requirements for dental assisting registration are effective only until July 1, 2025. Beginning July 1, 2025, new amended requirements and alternative pathways for RDA eligibility, such as DANB CDA certification and completion of a preceptorship in dental assisting, respectively, will go into effect. For more information on applying to become an RDA during this time, please contact the Dental Board of California directly.