Oregon — aerial view of Crater Lake and surrounding mountains

Oregon Dental Assistant License

Oregon Board of Dentistry

Total Fee
$75
Processing Time
2 to 4 Weeks
Fingerprints
Required
Temp License
Not available

What You'll Need

  • DANB Exam Results — Official passing scores for required component exams (RHS, ICE, etc.).
  • Licensed Dentist Endorsement (LDE) Form — Verification from a supervising dentist that you have successfully performed specific clinical functions on live patients. Download Form
  • Proof of CPR/BLS Certification — Current certification in Health Care Provider Basic Life Support or CPR.
  • Oregon Radiologic Proficiency Certificate — Required prerequisite for most expanded function certifications. Radiology Info

How to Apply

  1. Determine Certification Level ▾
    Identify which certification you need: Radiologic Proficiency, Expanded Function Dental Assistant (EFDA), or others. Oregon does not license basic dental assistants but requires certification for specific duties.
  2. Complete Education or Experience ▾
    Complete a CODA-accredited dental assisting program or accumulate the required work experience hours (e.g., 3,500 hours for CDA pathway).
    Check Pathway Requirements
  3. Pass Required Exams ▾
    Register for and pass the necessary DANB exams, such as the Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam for radiologic proficiency or the Oregon Expanded Functions General Dental Assisting (ORXG) exam.
  4. Obtain Clinical Endorsement ▾
    For expanded functions, have an Oregon licensed dentist certify your clinical proficiency on live patients using the Licensed Dentist Endorsement (LDE) form.
    Download LDE Form
  5. Submit Application to DANB ▾
    Submit your completed application, proof of exam passage, and the required fee to the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB), which administers certifications for the Oregon Board.
    Submit Application
  6. Post Certificate ▾
    Once received, you must post your current Oregon certificate in a conspicuous place in the dental office where you work.
Total Fee
$75
Processing Time
2 to 4 Weeks
Fingerprints
Required
Temp License
Not available

Transfer License

Contact the Oregon Board of Dentistry for current transfer requirements.

Apply to transfer

Steps

  1. Verify Out-of-State Certification ▾
    Ensure you hold a current, valid certification from another state that is substantially similar to Oregon's requirements.
  2. Document Work Experience ▾
    Provide evidence of at least 1,000 hours of work experience in the past two years performing the functions for which you seek certification.
  3. Submit Certification by Credential Application ▾
    Complete the DANB application for certification by credential and pay the non-refundable fee.
    Credential Application
Total Fee
Contact board
Renewal Cycle
Annually
Compact
No
Board
Oregon Board of Dentistry

Keeping Your License Active

Oregon Dental Assistant licenses renew Annually. Contact the Oregon Board of Dentistry for continuing education requirements and renewal deadlines.

Fees

ItemAmount
Application$75
Endorsement application$75

Slow Downs

LDE Form Expiration ▾
The Licensed Dentist Endorsement form must be submitted within 6 months of passing the required exams; failure to do so requires retaking the exams.
Incomplete Clinical Documentation ▾
Failing to document the required number of clinical procedures on live patients (typodonts are not accepted).
Incorrect Fee Payment ▾
Submitting the wrong fee amount to DANB can halt the processing of your application.

Questions

Do Oregon dental assistant certificates expire? ▾
No. Once issued by the Oregon Board of Dentistry (via DANB), these certificates do not expire and do not require renewal.
Are there continuing education (CE) requirements? ▾
There are no state-mandated CE requirements for dental assistants in Oregon, though maintaining national DANB certification (CDA) does require annual CE.
Is fingerprinting required for dental assistants? ▾
No, the Oregon Board of Dentistry currently only requires fingerprints for dentists, dental therapists, and dental hygienists.
Who handles the certification process? ▾
The Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) administers the certification program on behalf of the Oregon Board of Dentistry.
Can I perform a working interview without certification? ▾
No. Under Oregon law, only persons holding an active license or certification can perform duties that require such credentials during a working interview.

Board Info

Oregon Board of Dentistry
Phone(971) 673-3200
Sources