South Carolina — Spanish moss over Charleston alley

South Carolina Dental Assistant License

South Carolina State Board of Dentistry

Total Fee
Contact board
Processing Time
No state application
Fingerprints
Required
Temp License
Not available

What You'll Need

  • Affidavit of Eligibility — A notarized document confirming your citizenship or legal residency status.
  • Copy of Government-Issued ID — A clear copy of your driver's license, passport, or state ID.
  • CPR Certification — Proof of current CPR certification at the Basic Life Support (BLS) level from a Board-approved provider (e.g., AHA or Red Cross).
  • Nitrous Oxide Course Certificate — Official diploma or certificate showing completion of a Board-approved nitrous oxide monitoring course within the last 3 years.
  • Proof of EDDA Status or Experience — A diploma from a CODA-accredited program or a letter from your employer on office letterhead verifying 2 years of full-time chairside experience.

How to Apply

  1. Verify Basic Employment Eligibility ▾
    In South Carolina, basic dental assistants are not licensed or registered. You must be at least 18 years old and legally eligible to work in the U.S. to perform basic supportive chairside procedures under direct supervision.
  2. Complete Radiography Training ▾
    To expose radiographs, you must complete a Board-approved radiation safety course. This can be a DANB RHS exam or a course from an ADA-accredited school. Your supervising dentist must certify your training to the Board; the Board does not issue individual certificates for this.
  3. Achieve Expanded Duty Dental Assistant (EDDA) Status ▾
    To perform expanded duties, you must either graduate from a CODA-accredited dental assisting program or complete two years of continuous full-time employment as a chairside assistant. This is a status recognized by the Board for specific clinical tasks.
  4. Complete Nitrous Oxide Monitoring Course ▾
    If you are an EDDA or have 2 years of experience, you must complete a Board-approved 12-hour course in nitrous oxide monitoring within the three years preceding your application.
  5. Submit Nitrous Oxide Monitoring Application ▾
    Apply for certification through the LLR online portal. You must provide proof of your EDDA status or experience, your course completion certificate, and a current CPR card.
  6. Pass the Certification Exam ▾
    Once the Board approves your application, you will receive an eligibility notice to schedule the Nitrous Oxide Monitoring exam through PSI Testing Services.
    PSI Exam Registration
Total Fee
Contact board
Processing Time
No state application
Fingerprints
Required
Temp License
Not available

Transfer License

Contact the South Carolina State Board of Dentistry for current transfer requirements.

Steps

  1. Verification of Out-of-State Certification ▾
    If you are certified in another state to monitor nitrous oxide, you may apply for South Carolina certification if your original certification was obtained within the last three years.
  2. Submit Application by Credential ▾
    Submit the Nitrous Oxide Monitoring application along with verification of your current out-of-state certification and proof of current CPR.
Total Fee
Contact board
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Compact
No
Board
South Carolina State Board of Dentistry

Keeping Your License Active

South Carolina Dental Assistant licenses renew Every 2 years. Contact the South Carolina State Board of Dentistry for continuing education requirements and renewal deadlines.

Renew on the board site

Fees

ItemAmount

Slow Downs

Expired CPR Certification ▾
Applications are often delayed if the submitted CPR card is expired or not from an approved provider like the American Heart Association.
Incomplete Experience Verification ▾
For those qualifying via experience, the letter from the dentist must clearly state 'two years of continuous full-time employment' to meet the EDDA requirement.
Course Recency Issues ▾
The nitrous oxide monitoring course must have been completed within 3 years of the application date; older courses will not be accepted.

Questions

Do I need a license to work as a dental assistant in South Carolina? ▾
No, basic dental assistants are not licensed or registered by the Board. However, you must obtain specific certifications to perform expanded duties, take X-rays, or monitor nitrous oxide.
How do I get certified to take X-rays? ▾
You must complete a Board-approved radiation safety course. The Board does not issue a certificate; instead, your supervising dentist must maintain proof of your training and certify it to the Board.
What are the continuing education (CE) requirements for dental assistants? ▾
All dental staff providing direct patient care must complete 2 hours of CE biennially on sterilization and infection control. These records are maintained by the employer.
Can a dental assistant perform coronal polishing? ▾
Only an Expanded Duty Dental Assistant (EDDA) may perform polishing of restorations and supra-gingival tooth structures under direct supervision.

Board Info

South Carolina State Board of Dentistry
Phone(803) 896-4500
Emailbod@llr.sc.gov
Sources