License, registration, permit, or certification: What do dental assistants need?
If you’re thinking about becoming a dental assistant or advancing in your career, you may have come across terms such as certification, certificates, licensure, registration, and permits — but what do they mean? While these are often grouped under the umbrella term “credential” to describe professional qualifications, each serves a different purpose and some may dictate the duties dental assistants are allowed to perform. Depending on the state where you work, you may need one or more of these to meet legal requirements, perform expanded functions, or demonstrate your skills to employers.
Requirements and authorized functions vary by state, so dental assistants should review their state’s requirements to determine which credential will best support their professional goals. Here are some key distinctions to know when learning what’s available in your state and deciding which one works best for you.
Certification
Certifications are nationally recognized credentials that demonstrate a dental assistant has met designated educational or training requirements. They typically focus on a scope of knowledge related to dental assisting and may be recognized or required to earn a state registration or license. A valuable benefit of certifications is that they stay with you when relocating to another state, meaning you don’t have to start from scratch when you move!
Certification requirements vary depending on the type and provider. To earn DANB certification, candidates must meet eligibility requirements — typically a mix of education and/or work experience — and pass component exams. For example, you can earn Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) certification by passing three exams: General Chairside Assisting (GC), Radiation Health and Safety (RHS), and Infection Control (ICE).
Depending on your area of focus, there are several other dental assisting certifications available. DANB offers Certified Orthodontic Assistant (COA) and Certified in Dental Infection Prevention and Control (CDIPC) certification, among others, which demonstrate an increased level of knowledge that can elevate both your skills and career.
DANB certifications must be renewed annually by earning continuing education (CE) credits to ensure dental assistants stay informed of evolving regulations, technologies, and patient care practices. DANB’s affiliate organization, the DALE Foundation, offers several different types of CE courses that certificants can take to keep their certifications active.
Certificates
Certificates are commonly associated with education and are awarded after completing a dental assistant course or program. They verify that an individual has a fundamental set of knowledge. Dental assistants typically receive certificates after finishing a post-secondary educational curriculum, or they might earn a certificate for attending a weekend course or workshop.
Certificates may also be obtained after passing an exam from a credentialing board. For example, dental assistants who take DANB’s RHS exam earn a certificate that stays with them throughout their career. Unlike certifications, certificates do not expire and do not have to be renewed.
Licensure and Registration
Licensure and registration are related concepts but have some differences depending on the state. A license is legal authorization that allows a dental assistant to perform specific duties within a state after meeting certain education, experience, or exam requirements. Registration may be similar to a license if it includes professional requirements and allows dental assistants to perform certain duties. Or, the registration could simply be a registry list of dental assistants working in the state.
Some benefits of earning a license include increased job opportunities in your state, enhanced professional credibility, and career growth opportunities. Requirements to become a Licensed Dental Assistant (LDA) vary by state, as some states don’t have this level of dental assistant. In Minnesota, for instance, dental assistants who perform expanded functions must be licensed as LDAs, while those in New Mexico are referred to as Expanded Function Dental Auxiliaries (EFDAs). Licenses may not easily transfer to a new state, so if you decide to relocate, you may need to complete a new set of requirements to become licensed.
Registered Dental Assistants (RDA) are officially recorded with a state or regulatory agency to verify they have met the necessary requirements to work as a dental assistant or perform certain duties permitted by state law. For example, in Tennessee, dental assistants who apply teeth whitening formulations under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist must be registered with the Tennessee Board of Dentistry as an RDA. Requirements to become an RDA differ from state to state, so dental assistants should review the statutes, regulations, and dental board website to determine whether registration is required.
Scope of practice can widely vary with registration. In some states, such as Michigan, Registered Dental Assistants can perform a range of expanded functions, while RDAs in other states have a shorter list of allowable duties that are considered more entry level. This is a state-specific credential, so holding RDA in one state does not mean this will automatically transfer if you move to another jurisdiction.
Permits
Permits provide the authorization for dental assistants to perform a specific duty after completing required training or qualifications. Some states require permits for procedures such as applying sealants, coronal polishing, or monitoring patient sedation. The Dental Board of California issues Orthodontic Assistant permits to qualified dental assistants, allowing them to perform specific duties not authorized for RDAs.
Obtaining a permit can help dental assistants expand their clinical responsibilities and demonstrate specialized skills to employers. Permits can serve as an important step toward professional growth and responsibility as dental assistants gain more experience. Understanding how permits fit within a state’s regulatory framework can help dental assistants navigate their professional options with confidence and ease.