Castleport Test Prep

DANB CDA Exam Requirements

To earn DANB's Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) certification, you must pass three exams within a five-year period: Radiation Health and Safety (RHS), Infection Control (ICE) and General Chairside Assisting (GC). RHS and ICE have no eligibility requirements. GC requires one of DANB's three eligibility pathways plus current, hands-on CPR, BLS or ACLS from a DANB-accepted provider. (DANB 2026 CDA Application Packet, p. 3)

Rules from DANB's 2026 CDA Application Packet (updated May 13, 2026), which DANB accepts through December 31, 2026. Last verified October 23, 2026.

Which pathway fits you?

Find the row that describes you. Every GC pathway also needs the CPR card described in the last row.

Which GC pathway fits you, and what you send DANB
If this describes you Your route to GC What you send DANB
You graduated from a CODA-accredited dental assisting or dental hygiene program Pathway I Certificate or diploma, or a transcript showing your completion date, or a signed, dated letter from your program director on school letterhead
You're in a CODA-accredited dental assisting program and will graduate within 90 days of applying Pathway I DANB's Intent to Graduate form, completed by your program director, or a director's letter with your expected graduation date
You hold a current RDH license from any state except Alabama Pathway I Copy of your current RDH license
You have 3,500+ hours of dental assisting work over at least two and no more than four years, and a high school diploma or equivalent Pathway II DANB's Employer Work Experience Statement signed by a licensed dentist, plus proof of high school graduation or equivalent
You formerly held DANB's CDA Pathway III Your DANB certification number
You graduated from, or are enrolled in, a CODA-accredited DDS or DMD program Pathway III Diploma, certificate, dental license, transcript, official course registration, or a signed letter on dental school letterhead
You graduated from a dental degree program outside the U.S. or Canada Pathway III Current dental license, diploma or transcript, plus an English translation
You graduated from, or are enrolled in, a DANB-accepted post-baccalaureate dental assisting program at a U.S. or Canadian dental school Pathway III Certificate of completion, transcript, course registration, or a signed letter from a school official
Everyone applying for GC All pathways Current hands-on CPR, BLS or ACLS from a DANB-accepted provider: a copy of the certificate, or the front and back of the card
None of these fit yet No GC pathway yet You can still take RHS and ICE now. They have no eligibility requirements.

Check your pathway

The checker needs JavaScript. The table above and the sections below cover every rule it uses.

Source: 2026 CDA Application Packet, pp. 3–4.

Went to a dental assisting program that isn't CODA-accredited? That doesn't meet Pathway I today. Your current options are Pathway II (work hours) or taking RHS and ICE while you build hours. DANB has also announced a new pathway for some non-CODA programs, expected in early 2027 (details below). Some schools have an accredited hygiene program but not an accredited assisting program, or the other way around. DANB tells candidates to confirm accreditation before applying.

The three GC pathways in detail

Pathway I: CODA-accredited program or RDH license

You qualify if you graduated from a dental assisting or dental hygiene program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), or if you hold a current Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) license. DANB accepts an RDH license from any state except Alabama.

For a CODA graduate, DANB accepts any one of these:

  • a copy of your certificate or diploma
  • a copy of a transcript that shows the date you completed the program
  • a letter from your program director on school letterhead. It must include your name and graduation date and be signed and dated by the director.

Applying before graduation. If you'll graduate from a CODA-accredited dental assisting program within 90 days of applying, you can submit DANB's Intent to Graduate form or an equivalent letter. The letter must give your name, the program name and your expected graduation date. It must also confirm that the school will tell DANB if you don't graduate, and be signed and dated by the program director.

Source: 2026 CDA Application Packet, p. 3 and p. 13.

Pathway II: 3,500 hours of work experience

This is the on-the-job route. You need all three of these:

  1. At least 3,500 hours of dental assisting work, accrued over at least two years and no more than four years.
  2. Verification by a licensed dentist on DANB's Employer Work Experience Statement. Only that form counts. DANB doesn't accept letters from employers or pay stubs.
  3. High school graduation or equivalent. That can be a diploma, a GED certificate, or a transcript from a school in the U.S. or Canadian education system. Proof of college or postsecondary coursework also works if the school is accredited by an agency the U.S. Department of Education recognizes.

If your high school was outside the U.S. and Canada, send three things: the diploma or transcript with your graduation date, an English translation, and an equivalency report from a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).

On the form, the dentist also confirms that you've been trained in, or understand, each of these 13 areas:

  • preliminary patient exams (intraoral and extraoral)
  • charting and treatment documentation
  • diagnostic aids, such as radiographs and impressions for study models
  • taking and recording vital signs
  • four-handed dentistry
  • preparing and understanding armamentarium (the instruments and supplies for a procedure)
  • performing and assisting with intraoral procedures
  • patient management
  • lab processes and procedures
  • dental materials
  • patient oral health education
  • office operations, such as inventory, ordering, equipment maintenance and legal matters
  • preventing and managing dental and medical emergencies

DANB's form says a candidate who lacks training or basic knowledge in any listed area is ineligible.

Worked for more than one dentist? You can send one form per dentist. Your current dentist can also verify your earlier work on a single form. A dentist licensed in any country can verify work you did in that country.

Source: 2026 CDA Application Packet, p. 3 and p. 12.

Pathway III: Former CDAs and dental-degree routes

You qualify if any of these is true:

  • You formerly held DANB's CDA.
  • You graduated from, or are enrolled in, a CODA-accredited DDS or DMD program.
  • You graduated from, or are enrolled in, a dental degree program outside the U.S. or Canada.
  • You graduated from, or are enrolled in, a post-baccalaureate program that DANB accepts and that is affiliated with a U.S. or Canadian dental school. To be accepted, the program must cover a full dental assisting curriculum of at least 300 hours. Those hours can combine classroom, clinical and on-the-job training.

Source: 2026 CDA Application Packet, p. 4.

How the 3,500-hour rule works

Pathway II has two conditions that work together: enough hours, and the right span of time.

  • The floor. Your hours must span at least two years. Even if you reach 3,500 hours sooner, you can't use Pathway II until two years have passed since you started counting.
  • The ceiling. The 3,500 hours must fall within no more than four years. On the form, the dentist fills in your start and end dates as month and year.

Our math: the pace each limit implies

Our math: average weekly pace for the two- and four-year limits
Goal Calculation Average pace
Reach 3,500 hours in exactly two years 3,500 ÷ 104 weeks about 34 hours a week
Reach 3,500 hours within four years 3,500 ÷ 208 weeks about 17 hours a week

Two examples (our math):

  • Part-time, 32 hours a week, starting June 2024. It takes about 109 weeks (3,500 ÷ 32) to reach 3,500 hours, which lands around July 2026. That's more than two years and less than four, so both conditions are met.
  • Overtime, 45 hours a week, starting March 2025. You'd reach 3,500 hours in about 78 weeks, around September 2026. But your hours span only about 18 months. The earliest month the span reaches two years is March 2027.

If some of your hours are several years old, ask DANB how it will count them before you apply. The packet sets the two-to-four-year span but doesn't say how old the hours can be. Contact DANB.

The CPR rule that sends applications back

All three GC pathways require current CPR, BLS or ACLS. DANB rejects it if any of these is true:

  • It wasn't hands-on. The course must include CPR and a hands-on skills exam.
  • It came from a provider DANB doesn't list. Courses from other providers aren't accepted.
  • It expires during your testing window. It must be current when you apply, on exam day, and through the entire 60-day eligibility window DANB issues when it authorizes your exam.
  • Your copy is incomplete. Send the certificate, or the front and back of the card. It must show the issue and expiration dates, the instructor's name, and your name and/or signature.

Example. Say DANB approves your application on March 1. Your testing window runs about 60 days, into late April. A card that expires April 15 isn't current for the whole window. Renew it before you apply.

DANB's 2026 packet accepts these providers:

  • Advanced First Aid, Inc.
  • American CPR Care Association*
  • American CPR Training
  • American Emergency Response Training
  • American Environmental Health and Safety
  • American Health Care Academy*
  • American Heart Association
  • American Red Cross
  • Canadian Red Cross
  • Emergency Care and Safety Institute
  • Emergency First Response
  • Emergency Medical Training Associates
  • Emergency University*
  • Medical Training Associates
  • Military Training Network
  • National Safety Council (Green Cross)
  • Pacific Medical Training (BLS only, through 911coned.com)
  • ProTrainings*
  • Saudi Heart Association
  • Save a Heart of Utah
  • The Health and Safety Institute (HSI), including American Safety and Health Institute (ASHI), EMS Safety and MEDIC First Aid

*Not every course from these providers includes a hands-on exam. Ask the provider before you enroll.

Source: 2026 CDA Application Packet, p. 4. Providers can change, so check DANB's current CPR provider list before you enroll.

RHS and ICE: No eligibility requirements

DANB's packet says there are no eligibility requirements to take RHS or ICE. You can take the three exams together or separately. To earn the CDA, you need to pass all three within a five-year period. (Packet, p. 3; DANB CDA Certification Roadmap)

That gives you a practical order if you don't qualify for GC yet:

  1. Take RHS and ICE now. DANB offers them as one combined application.
  2. Keep building your hours, or finish your program.
  3. Take GC once you qualify.

Passing RHS or ICE on its own doesn't make you a CDA. DANB calls the RHS result a certificate that doesn't expire. That's different from a certification, which you have to renew. (DANB, July 14, 2026) Some states use RHS or ICE on their own for radiography or infection-control rules, so check yours.

The five-year clock. DANB's wording is "within a five-year period." It doesn't say which date starts the clock. To be safe, plan as if it starts the day you pass your first component. Ask DANB if your first pass is getting close to five years old.

Which application to file, and what it costs

DANB CDA applications: exams, questions, time, fees and delivery
Application Exams included Questions / time Fee Active military Delivery shown on DANB's exam page
CDA RHS + ICE + GC 245 / 195 min $450 $425 Test center
GC only GC 95 / 75 min $270 $265 Test center or online
ICE/GC ICE + GC 170 / 135 min $375 $365 Test center
RHS/GC RHS + GC 170 / 135 min $375 $365 Test center
RHS only RHS 75 / 60 min $270 $265 Test center or online; also in Spanish
ICE only ICE 75 / 60 min $270 $265 Test center or online; also in Spanish
RHS/ICE RHS + ICE 150 / 120 min $375 $365 Test center; also in Spanish

Sources: fees from the 2026 CDA Application Packet, pp. 11 and 15. Questions, time and delivery from DANB's CDA, GC, RHS, ICE, ICE/GC, RHS/GC and RHS/ICE pages.

What the fees include and when you pay:

  • Every fee includes a $75 application fee that's never refunded.
  • You pay the full amount when you apply.
  • If you cancel after DANB authorizes your exam, DANB keeps an extra $40.
  • The military rate requires a letter from your commanding officer, or an active military email address that DANB verifies. (Candidate Handbook, p. 4)

Our math: what the order costs you

  • All three in one CDA application: $450
  • RHS/ICE now, then GC later: $375 + $270 = $645
  • All three as separate applications: $270 × 3 = $810

Splitting the exams costs more, but it may be the only option if you aren't GC-eligible yet. These are 2026 fees. Check DANB's current packet if you apply in 2027.

How to apply and schedule

  1. Pick your application. Use the table above to choose based on your pathway and what you've already passed.
  2. Gather your documents. Send the pathway proof and the CPR copy together. DANB processes only complete applications. If yours is incomplete, DANB returns your payment minus the $75 fee. (Packet, p. 10)
  3. Apply. You can apply online at DANB's CDA exam page, or by mail or email. Online is faster.
  4. Watch for DANB's approval email. You then have 60 days to schedule and take the exam through Pearson VUE, DANB's test vendor. Book right away, because appointments can be limited.
  5. Need to move your appointment? You can reschedule a test-center exam up to 24 hours before it starts. You can reschedule an online exam up to its start time.
  6. Ran out of time? You can request a new 60-day window once. The request must reach DANB within 60 days after your original window ends.
  7. Missed your exam? You can reschedule once at a reduced fee within 60 days. DANB may give a new window at no cost for a documented emergency.

Sources: Packet, pp. 6–7; Candidate Handbook, pp. 5–6.

Need testing accommodations? DANB must receive your request with your original application, before your exam is authorized. Use DANB's Reasonable Accommodations form on its Forms and Policies page. (Packet, p. 5)

Exam-day rules that trip people up

ID. Bring one original ID that is all of these: currently valid, government-issued, with a photo and a signature, and printed in Roman characters. The name must match your DANB account exactly. Temporary IDs and copies aren't accepted. If your name has changed, file a name change with DANB before exam day. If your ID doesn't match, you can't test, and the exam counts as missed. (Candidate Handbook, p. 9)

Test center or online. DANB's CDA exam page lists test-center delivery. The separate GC, RHS and ICE pages list both test-center and online proctoring. The two formats work differently:

Test center versus online proctoring
Feature Test center Online proctoring
Price Same Same
Breaks Allowed with proctor approval; the clock keeps running Not allowed
What you need ID; you'll have your palm scanned and your photo taken Computer with webcam and microphone that passes Pearson's system test; a phone that can take photos; a private, closed room
Accommodations offered Extra time, private room, reader Extra time

Source: Candidate Handbook, p. 8.

Under 18. DANB's application asks if you're 18 or older. If you're under 18 and applying for an exam that offers online proctoring, you must submit the Parent/Guardian Consent Form with your application. If you test online, the parent or guardian who signed must be present at check-in with their own government-issued ID. In that case you can use a valid student ID. (Handbook, pp. 3, 9–10)

The background questions on every application

DANB's national exam applications ask three background questions:

  1. Felonies. In the last five years, have you been convicted of, or pled guilty or no contest to, a felony or any crime punishable by prison time? Or are you currently serving a sentence or supervision tied to any felony conviction?
  2. Credential discipline. Has a dental assisting or other professional credential ever been suspended, revoked or surrendered? Have you ever been disciplined by a board or credentialing agency? Have you been investigated by or dismissed from a school or employer for cheating or an ethics violation?
  3. Court rulings. Has a court ever declared you mentally incompetent?

You don't need to report misdemeanors. If you aren't sure whether a conviction was a felony, DANB says to answer "yes." A "yes" answer needs a signed personal statement and official documents. DANB then decides case by case. Anyone held on charges or serving confinement must be fully released before applying. (Packet, p. 9)

Scoring, results and retakes

  • Passing score. DANB reports a scaled score from 100 to 900, and you need 400 to pass. A scaled score isn't a percent-correct score. (DANB, Jan. 10, 2024)
  • Adaptive format. DANB says most of its exams are adaptive, so the next question gets harder or easier based on your answer. You can't skip a question and come back to it.
  • Unscored questions. Each exam may include a few unscored pretest questions mixed in with the rest. Answer every question. You won't get a result unless you do. (Candidate Handbook, pp. 13–14)
  • Results. Official results appear in your DANB account within 1 to 3 business days.
  • Hand scoring. You can request it within 7 calendar days after results post.
  • Appeals. You can file an appeal within 30 days of the DANB letter or result you're appealing.
  • Retakes. There's no limit on how many times you can retake a failed exam. You reapply and pay the full fee each time. Some states require more education after failed attempts. (Handbook, pp. 4, 14–15)

Keeping your CDA after you pass

CDA certification lasts one year, and you renew it every year. For one DANB certification, you need:

Yearly requirements for keeping one DANB certification
Each year Requirement
Continuing dental education (CDE) 12 credits, including 1 on OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens standard and 2 on infection prevention, control or safety
CPR Keep a current, hands-on CPR, BLS or ACLS card from a DANB-accepted provider. It doesn't count as CDE.
Fee $75, or $95 if you renew after your expiration date
Grace period 3 months after expiration

Source: DANB 2026 Recertification Requirements, pp. 2–3 and 5.

The exams you pass to earn the CDA don't count toward your first year's CDE. If you miss the grace period, you're no longer certified and can't use the "CDA" title. Getting it back may require fees, CDE, proof of CPR, or retaking some or all of the exams.

Does a CDA make you licensed in your state?

Not by itself. The CDA is a national certification. Your state dental board decides what dental assistants may do, and whether you also need a state license, registration or permit. Many states recognize or require DANB certification or exams for those state credentials, but the rules differ by state. (DANB, July 14, 2026) Look up your state in DANB's state requirements directory, then confirm with your state dental board.

Is DANB adding a new CDA pathway in 2027?

Yes, DANB has announced one, but it isn't available yet. On September 23, 2026, DANB said it will add a GC pathway for graduates of approved dental assisting programs that aren't CODA-accredited. The program must be in a school accredited by an agency approved by the U.S. Department of Education. It must also meet one of these standards:

  • at least 900 instructional hours, including 300 clinical hours, or
  • 700 hours, including 200 clinical hours, with the candidate also having at least 200 hours of work experience.

DANB is approving programs on a rolling basis through the rest of 2026 and says the pathway will be officially available in early 2027. (DANB announcement, Sept. 23, 2026)

If you graduated from a non-CODA program, ask your school whether it has applied for DANB approval. Until DANB publishes the application rules for this pathway, use the three current pathways above.

Checklist before you apply

  • I know which GC pathway I qualify under, or I'm starting with RHS and ICE.
  • I have the exact documents for that pathway. For Pathway II, that's DANB's Work Experience Statement, not a letter or pay stubs.
  • My CPR, BLS or ACLS is hands-on, from a DANB-listed provider, and current well past my 60-day window.
  • My name in my DANB account exactly matches my government ID.
  • I picked the right application (CDA, GC only, or a combination) and have the full fee ready.
  • I've answered the three background questions and gathered documents for any "yes."
  • I know I must pass RHS, ICE and GC within five years.
  • I've checked my state's separate dental assisting requirements.

When everything's checked, apply on DANB's CDA exam page.

Sources and verification

The Castleport Test Prep Editorial Team checked each rule on this page against these DANB documents and pages on October 23, 2026:

Lines marked "Our math" are our own calculations from DANB's figures. DANB's rules and fees change, so DANB's current documents control if anything here differs. See how we verify claims in our methodology. Found an error? Our corrections log explains how to report it.

Written by the Castleport Test Prep Editorial Team · Last verified October 23, 2026

Castleport Test Prep is an independent exam prep publisher. It isn't affiliated with, endorsed by, or approved by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) or Pearson VUE. Exam and credential names are used to identify the subjects discussed, and trademarks belong to their owners. DANB makes all eligibility decisions.