Exam Information

National Certification Examinations For those dental assistants who meet the eligibility and exam requirements, National DANB Certification may be earned as a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) and/or Certified Orthodontic Assistant (COA). DANB offers the option to take any of its exams in a computerized format throughout the year. Links to each of the DANB Exam Candidate Guides for each test administration formats are found directly following the copy for each national DANB Certification exam described below. DANB Exam Candidate Guides include information on how to apply for the exam(s), eligibility requirements, DANB policies, DANB exam applications, a listing of CODA-accredited schools, testing locations, a listing of DANB exam reference materials and order forms for DANB study publications.
Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) The CDA exam focuses on General Chairside Assisting and is DANB's primary certification. In addition to a General Chairside component (GC), the CDA exam contains separate components covering Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) and Infection Control (ICE) topics. Many states are using the CDA exam or one of its components as part of dental assisting regulatory requirements. There have been over 100,000 certifications awarded and currently there are over 30,000 professionals maintaining the credential. Download a 2009 DANB CDA Exam Candidate Guide for a computerized test administration. Maryland assistants:Download the list of Maryland-approved dental radiography courses and Maryland school codes for your CDA exam application.
The Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) Exam is made of of the General Chairside (GC), Infection Control (ICE), and Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) component exams. General Chairside (GC) The General Chairside (GC) exam is one of three components of the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) exam. There are 120 multiple-choice questions on the GC exam. Application for the GC requires specific documentation supporting the requirements of three possible eligibility pathways. Candidates who successfully complete the GC exam may within five (5) years of passing this exam apply their scores towards a DANB CDA credential, as long as they have also passed the Infection Control (ICE) and Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exams within this time period. Download a 2009 DANB CDA Exam Candidate Guide for a computerized test administration, which includes the GC exam application.
Infection Control (ICE) The Infection Control (ICE) exam is one of three components of the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) exam. It is also one of two components of the Certified Orthodontic Assistant (COA) exam. There are 100 multiple-choice questions on the ICE exam. There are no prerequisites for the ICE; therefore, no documentation is required with application. Passing this exam allows dental assistants to demonstrate competence in an area that is very important to the health and safety of dental health care workers and patients alike. Candidates who successfully complete the ICE exam may within five (5) years of passing this exam apply their certificate towards a DANB CDA credential, as long as they have also passed the RHS and GC exams within this time period. Download a 2009 DANB CDA Exam Candidate Guide for a computerized test administration, which includes the ICE exam application. Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) The Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam is one of three components of the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) exam. There are 100 multiple-choice questions on the RHS exam. There are no prerequisites for the RHS; therefore, no documentation is required with application. Passing this exam allows dental assistants to demonstrate competence in an area that is very important to the health and safety of dental health care workers and patients alike. Candidates who successfully complete the RHS exam may within five (5) years of passing this exam apply their certificate towards a DANB CDA credential, as long as they have also passed the Infection Control (ICE) and General Chairside (GC) exams within this time period. Download a 2009 DANB CDA Exam Candidate Guide for a computerized test administration, which includes the RHS exam application. Maryland assistants:Download the list of Maryland-approved dental radiography courses and Maryland school codes for your CDA exam application. Certified Orthodontic Assistant (COA) The COA exam in Orthodontic Assisting was added in 1986 to offer credentialing for assistants specializing in orthodontic assisting procedures. The exam contains the Infection Control (ICE) component, as well as a 210-question Orthodontic Assisting component. Download a 2009 DANB COA Exam Candidate Guide for a *computerized* test administration.
Orthodontic Assisting (OA) The Orthodontic Assisting (OA) exam joins Infection Control (ICE) as one of two components of the Certified Orthodontic Assisting (COA) exam. There are 210 multiple-choice questions on the OA examination. Application for the OA requires specific documentation supporting the requirements of four possible eligibility pathways. Candidates who successfully complete the OA exam may within five (5) years of passing this exam apply their scores towards a DANB COA credential, as long as they have also passed the Infection Control (ICE) exam within this same time period. Download a 2009 DANB COA Exam Candidate Guide for a *computerized* test administration, which includes the OA exam application.

DANB Exam Administration Computerized Format DANB has contracted with a national computerized testing vendor, Pearson VUE, to administer DANB exams in a computerized format. This allows more flexibility in scheduling dates and times. There are no specific exam dates nor application deadlines. After an application is processed, the candidate will receive a Test Admission Notice from DANB within four weeks stating that the candidate may schedule an appointment by calling a special toll-free line (800 525-2586). This toll-free line is available 7am to 7pm CST Monday through Friday. After receiving a Test Admission Notice from DANB, candidates may also schedule their computerized exam online at any time. Candidates will be assigned a 60-day eligibility window during which testing must be completed. The eligibility window will not be extended and the entire exam fee will be forfeited if the exam is not taken within this period. Written Format Through 12/31/09, the Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exams are given at designated locations and dates in Oregon and Arizona only. The written exam dates/locations are located on pages 25-26 of the RHS Exam Candidate Guide. Through the end of 2009, the only administration of written exams will be the RHS exam. Download the 2009 DANB RHS Exam Candidate Guide for a written test administration of the RHS exam. *Note: Effective January 1, 2008, written exam fees are $40 more than taking the exams in a computerized format.*
Group Testing Available for DANB Exams DANB is able to offer group scheduling at Pearson Professional Centers for groups of four or more who want to take any of the national Certification exams or component exams on the same day. Realizing the value of group goal-setting and the positive effect of peer encouragement, DANB has made an agreement with Pearson VUE to accommodate scheduling of groups for computer testing. For more information on group testing, please contact DANB's Coordinator of Testing and Measurement at 1-800-FOR-DANB extension 452 or send an email to testing1@danb.org A completed DANB Group Testing Form must accompany the candidate applications. Download the DANB Group Application Form
Professional Development Examination Program (PDEP) Having earned a DANB Credential is not only a professional achievement, but a personal one as well. Keep your DANB Certification in good shape by exercising your option to renew or reinstate your DANB Certification through the Professional Development Examination Program (PDEP). This convenient, in-home testing program, available only to current or former DANB Certificants, challenges you to advance your professional knowledge using pertinent content materials researched and selected by DANB’s Exam Committees. Maintaining your highly-valued DANB Credential places you in an elite group of more than 30,000 dental assisting professionals. Certificants whose credential (CDA, COA, CDPMA, COMSA) has lapsed between 12 and 30 months can reinstate using the PDEP option. For specific requirements based on your expiration date call 1-800-FOR-DANB extension 445. Learn more about DANB Certification renewal through PDEP!