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West Virginia Dental Assistant License

West Virginia Board of Dental Examiners

Total Fee
$50
Processing Time
1 to 2 Weeks
Fingerprints
Required
Temp License
Not available

What You'll Need

  • Application for Expanded Duties — Official form for requesting certification in specific tasks like Nitrous Oxide Monitoring or Restorative duties. Download Application
  • CPR/BLS Certification — Proof of current Healthcare Provider level CPR/BLS certification is required for expanded duties.
  • Course Completion Certificate — Evidence of passing a Board-approved course for the specific expanded duty requested.
  • Dentist Attestation — A signed statement from the supervising dentist verifying clinical hours and competency for specific procedures.

How to Apply

  1. Secure Employment ▾
    Obtain a position in a dental office. West Virginia does not require formal education or state registration for entry-level dental assistants performing basic duties.
  2. Complete On-the-Job Training ▾
    Receive training from your supervising dentist for basic chairside tasks and dental radiography. West Virginia has no state-mandated radiography certification for dental assistants.
  3. Enroll in Expanded Duties Courses ▾
    To perform advanced tasks like Nitrous Oxide Monitoring or Coronal Polishing, you must complete a Board-approved course and pass the associated exam.
    View Approved Duties
  4. Accrue Clinical Experience ▾
    For specific certificates like Coronal Polishing, you must complete 2 years and at least 3,000 hours of clinical experience as attested by your supervising dentist.
  5. Submit Application for Certification ▾
    Download and complete the application for the specific expanded duty certificate from the Board's website.
    Download Forms
  6. Pay Application Fees ▾
    Submit the required fee ($25 for most expanded duties) along with your application to the West Virginia Board of Dentistry.
    Fee Schedule
Total Fee
$50
Processing Time
1 to 2 Weeks
Fingerprints
Required
Temp License
Not available

Transfer License

Contact the West Virginia Board of Dental Examiners for current transfer requirements.

Steps

  1. Verify Out-of-State Credentials ▾
    West Virginia does not have a formal reciprocity path for dental assistants; out-of-state assistants must meet the same course and clinical requirements as in-state applicants.
  2. Submit Verification of Good Standing ▾
    If you hold a license or certificate in another state, have that state board send a verification directly to the WV Board of Dentistry.
    Board Contact Info
Total Fee
Contact board
Renewal Cycle
Annually
Compact
No
Board
West Virginia Board of Dental Examiners

Keeping Your License Active

West Virginia Dental Assistant licenses renew Annually. Contact the West Virginia Board of Dental Examiners for continuing education requirements and renewal deadlines.

Renew on the board site

Fees

ItemAmount
Application$50
Endorsement application$50

Slow Downs

Missing Dentist Signature ▾
Applications for expanded duties require a supervising dentist's attestation; missing this signature will result in immediate rejection.
Expired CPR Card ▾
The Board requires a current Healthcare Provider level CPR card. Submitting an expired or non-healthcare level card causes delays.
Incomplete Clinical Hours ▾
Applying for Coronal Polishing before reaching the 3,000-hour requirement will lead to denial.

Questions

Do I need a license to work as a dental assistant in West Virginia? ▾
No, entry-level dental assistants do not require a state license or registration for basic chairside duties.
Am I required to have a certificate to take X-rays? ▾
No, West Virginia is one of the few states that does not have state-mandated radiography requirements for dental assistants.
What are the requirements for Coronal Polishing? ▾
You must have 2 years and 3,000 hours of clinical experience, hold a restorative or orthodontic expanded duties certificate, and complete a Board-approved coronal polishing course.
How much does it cost to apply for expanded duties? ▾
The application fee is typically $25 per expanded duty authorization.
Are there continuing education (CE) requirements? ▾
Dental assistants with expanded duties certificates must complete 12 hours of CE every two-year reporting period.

Board Info

West Virginia Board of Dental Examiners
Phone(304) 558-8260
Emailwvbde@wv.gov
Sources
State statutes