Become Certified

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DANB

Congratulations on taking the first step toward earning DANB® certification.

Earning DANB certification is one of the most important steps you can take in your career. DANB offers national certification exams, exams leading to certificates of knowledge-based competency and state-specific dental assisting exams. When you earn and maintain DANB certification, you join a group of more than 37,000 — and growing — certified assistants nationwide.

Certifications

Exams and Certifications

DANB offers five national certifications:

  • National Entry Level Dental Assistant (NELDA®) 
  • Certified Dental Assistant™ (CDA®)
  • Certified Orthodontic Assistant (COA®)
  • Certified Preventive Functions Dental Assistant (CPFDA®)
  • Certified Restorative Functions Dental Assistant (CRFDA®)

 The national certifications are each built from component exams.

Exams & Certifications 

DANB State exam applications

DANB's State-Specific Exams

DANB administers state-specific exams that are recognized or required in the following states: Delaware, Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Oregon and Washington.

 State-Specific Exams

Build Your Credentials

Did you know you can take the component exams separately? Required component exams must be taken within five years to earn CDA and COA certification, and within three years for NELDA, CPFDA and CRFDA certification. 

Start Building Your Credentials 

Helpful Links

CODA-accredited dental assisting programs 

Voc-Tech dental assisting programs

DANB-accepted NELDA dental assisting programs

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