If you are unable to apply online, you will need to download the RDA application below and have it notarized prior to submitting it to TSBDE along with the required supporting documents above. ACC provides career guidance and assistance but cannot guarantee employment. The opinion is the individual’s sole opinion and not necessarily representative of that of the school, any instructor, or any student.

Students learn how to use and maintain dental operatory equipment, position operator, assistant, and patient, set-up, instrument transfer, soft tissue retraction methods, and oral evacuation skills. Properties of gypsum dental materials are presented and models of human dentition are constructed using gypsum materials. Our admissions advisors and financial aid advisors are here to support you. They can help you figure out the dental assistant school cost and help you explore financial aid. To learn more about ACC’s Dental Assistant program cost, access our tuition info. Critical thinking – A dental assistants’ ability to make sound decisions can help them provide optimal care for each individual patient.
You will receive the results of your written exam at the PSI test center, and the results will also be sent to the Board. If you fail the exam, you’ll receive a failed score report and an application form for retaking the exam. Licenses will not be issued automatically after passing the exam. The Board will only issue the licenses after completing the criminal history investigation for each applicant. If you do not receive your license 30 days after passing the exam, contact the Board.
Some enjoy lifelong careers as Dental Assistants, while others build on their experience to apply to higher-level programs and positions. To help you gauge some of the topics on the exam, we compiled a few sample questions taken directly from ProProfs’s online practice test. Written examination results are given at the testing site directly after the exam is completed. The Dental Board can only provide pass/fail results (the actual score on the exam is not released).

California Dental Practice Act

For those with one certification to renew, the annual fee is $75. The purpose of this exam is to demonstrate entry-level competence in basic dental assisting duties; it does not qualify candidates, however, for any advanced procedures or expanded functions in the role of dental assisting. AMT also provides mentoring and job search support to those seeking certification. Certification as a dental assistant is desirable on several fronts.
Finding the right school for you requires some careful consideration. First, you’ll want to choose a school accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). Many states require that you graduate from an accredited program to work.
On the other hand, all candidates who fail will receive a score of 55%. To help you prepare for the RDA exam, let’s begin by answering the Dental Board of California’s most frequently asked questions. You fill in a form and our customer service team will take care of the rest. This study guide will focus on the RDA, which stands for Registered Dental Assistant. The RDA exam is administered by the Dental Board of California (DBC). They are one of the primary license providers for Dental Assistants on the West Coast.
To help current and aspiring Dental Assistants achieve their goals, we developed the following study guide for DA certification and licensure. ‡Financial aid is available to those who qualify but may not be available for all programs. Concorde does not guarantee financial aid or scholarship awards or amounts.
Social perceptiveness – Dental assistants should be aware and understanding of patients’ reactions in order to provide the best possible patient-centered care. If you need assistance please feel free to contact Admissions & Records or review our WebReg Procedures. Consult the current schedule of classes for information about when these courses are offered. The exam outlines also include the list of exam references, which are often textbooks or other materials referenced during the exam development. It’s a good idea to have access to at least one recommended Dental Assisting textbook.
You will gain an understanding of the types of questions and information you will encounter when you take your American Medical Technologists AMT Registered Dental Assistant Certification Exam. Our AMT Registered Dental Assistant Practice Tests allow you to review your answers and identify areas of improvement so you will be fully prepared for the upcoming exam and walk out of the test feeling confident in your results. DANB is the national certification board for dental assistants. This board administers certification exams for those who want or need to become certified. Requirements for board certification through DANB vary from state to state. The Commission on Dental Accreditation accredits dental and dental-related education programs including advanced dental education programs and allied dental education programs in the United States.
If your interest level in Dental Assisting is growing, maybe it’s time to think about a future career in the field and begin your search for an accredited Dental Assisting school. The tips and resources mentioned in this article will help you as you start your journey. After reading this school preparation guide, you’ll have the background and confidence you need to make a great choice.
Surviving Dental Assistant school is easier when you make a success roadmap. That means choosing the right school for your needs, understanding what your program requires of you, and following a study plan. The length of programs can vary, but most take about a year to earn a certificate or a diploma. For example, in the Dental Assisting program at Brookline College, you can earn your certification in as few as 40 weeks. Costs for Dental Assisting programs vary and can be as much as $7,500. If this career piques your interest, you’ll want to know how to prepare for Dental Assistant school.
Members pay an annual fee, earn a requisite number of professional development “points”, and comply with AMT standards of practice. The annual renewal fee for maintaining the RDA certification is $60. With more than 500 questions on a variety of expanded functions, you’ll further your understanding of the concepts and improve your test-taking strategies. A variety of review methods help customize your experience to your personal learning style. Plus, you’ll be able to flag questions to come back to and identify areas that you may need to spend more time reviewing.

For more information, or to submit your RDA application, visit the Dental Board of California’s website. I find Docmerit to be authentic, easy to use and a community with quality notes and study tips. (You can find the answers to these questions at the bottom of the article). Use this form if you qualify through work experience AND blended pathways.

How to Prepare for Dental Assistant School

This book gives easy lecture on how to take X-rays, manual and automatic development processes, abnormalities seen on x-rays etc. I am currently enrolled in a dental assisting program and I still found this book very useful and covers pretty much I’ve learned working in a dentist office. Upon successfully passing the AMT Registered Dental Assistant exam, candidates will be awarded the RDA credential, which demonstrates their competence and commitment to maintaining high standards in dental assisting. As an AMT-certified professional, they will gain access to various benefits, including networking opportunities, continuing education resources, and career advancement support. The RDA credential is valid for three years, after which professionals must meet ongoing continuing education requirements and pay a recertification fee to maintain their certification. Dental assisting certification is for those who have met their state dental assisting educational requirements and passed an exam.

Some employers even look for a Dental Assisting diploma when employing receptionists at dental clinics. If you choose to become an RDA, you could also pursue Registered Dental Assisting with extended functions (a specialization through the Dental Board of California). In addition, DA diploma graduates can pursue an Orthodontic Assistant permit with the Board. Once this process has been completed and you’re qualified for licensure, a pocket identification card and wall certificate will be issued.

This course reviews for the newest RDA Written Blended Exam combining the General Written Exam with the Law and Ethics Exam. To accompany this course is our very popular publication, The California RDA Written & Law Examination Prep Book, Blended Version (1st Edition). Our book is used by many RDA programs in the State as well as in this course. You may purchase the book ahead of time through our website by visiting the “Our Publications” tab on the homepage or you may purchase the book the day the course meets at the start of class. The cost of the book is $94.00 in addition to the course tuition.
But remember that the list of materials is considered illustrative, not exhaustive. Many other resources are also suitable for exam preparation, including some you may have studied during your Dental Assisting program. You can learn more about each program by contacting the school, program director, or counselor. You’ll also want to consider other factors, like whether you’d prefer a large university or a smaller school.
All course registrants receive a syllabus, study guide, suggested reading list and practice quizzes. Registrants work through the material at their own pace over a six-month time period, reviewing materials and quizzes with their sponsoring surgeons. After completing the self-study materials, participants take a two-hour, computerized exam at designated testing centers. There are more than 100 testing sites located throughout the country. Read on for a complete guide to dental assistant certification and registration.

The BLS is committed to providing data promptly and according to established schedules. Automated retrieval programs (commonly called “robots” or “bots”) can cause delays and interfere with other customers’ timely access to information. Therefore, bot activity that doesn’t conform to BLS usage policy is prohibited. Once your application has been approved, you will receive your RDA certificate in the mail.
An incomplete application will delay your process and will be returned to the applicant. It will not be processed until all items have been received, with the only exception being the fingerprint receipt. It will be the applicant’s responsibility to ensure no required documents have expired during this process. If the RDA registration has been canceled, you MUST answer, “Yes” on the license history question #2 on the application and submit a signed and notarized affidavit explained in detail. Failure to disclose any of the requested information may result in the denial of your application or other appropriate action. Dental assistants with specialized training and certification can perform additional tasks, such as taking X-rays, applying sealants, applying fluoride treatment, or administering topical anesthetics.