“I’m moving from California to Minnesota. What are my new state’s requirements for dental assistants?”
One of the most frequently asked questions DANB receives from dental assistants is how to meet state requirements when moving from one state to another. Because there is no national standardization, different requirements exist for dental assistants in every state.
Whatever the reason for your move — your spouse is being transferred, you want to be closer to relatives or you are looking for career growth opportunities — you’ll be much better prepared when armed with the right information before you start packing.
Educate yourself
The first thing to do after you announce, “I’m moving!” is educate yourself about the dental assisting requirements in your new state. To locate this information, access resources such as DANB’s State-Specific Information page, which is a compilation of state-specific dental assisting information. You will be able to find out which DANB exams are recognized in any given state, the requirements to perform specific dental assisting functions there, contact information for the state dental board, and more. DANB’s website also lists the dental assistant titles recognized in each state.
For example, if you are moving to Minnesota, you will find that in order to operate dental X-ray equipment and perform dental radiography procedures, you must be a Licensed Dental Assistant, or LDA. You will also find information for how to earn LDA status in the state of Minnesota.
State dental boards
If you’re not sure about a certain state’s requirements, state dental boards are a key resource. Most state dental boards have comprehensive websites that list the state’s dental practice act, requirements for various dental professions, the latest news, legislative updates and contact information. State dental boards are also great resources for information about dental conventions in your area.
For state dental board contact information, go to DANB’s State-Specific Information page or access one of our state publications.
State reciprocity
The second step before your move is to closely examine any education or credentials you have already earned to see if they will apply in your new state. Some states recognize other states’ requirements to perform certain functions. For example, Maryland accepts dental radiation technologist applications from people who already hold an active radiology license or certification from another state as long as they meet additional requirements specified by the Maryland State Board of Dental Examiners.
In addition, if you have graduated from a Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)-accredited dental assisting program, you may find that this level of dental assisting education meets requirements in a number of states.
Finally, DANB’s exams are recognized or required by 38 states, the District of Columbia, the Department of Veterans Affairs and the U.S. Air Force. One of the benefits of earning DANB certification is greater career mobility, which means an easier transition to your new state. Without DANB certification, you could face more dental assisting requirements when you move. Dental assistants who earn the Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) license in the state of California are required to pass California Board-approved courses to perform certain expanded functions and meet radiography requirements. As a California RDA, you may have also graduated from a California Board-approved RDA educational program, one of the requirement options to be licensed as an RDA in that state. If you decide to move to Minnesota, and you want to perform certain dental assisting functions, you would need to meet the state requirements to be a Minnesota Licensed Dental Assistant, which means passing DANB’s Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) exam and meeting additional education and state exam requirements.
Moving for the military
DANB receives many queries from certificants who are either members of the military or military spouses, asking about state requirements when they move. If you are moving to and from a state or with a military branch that recognizes or requires DANB’s exams, your requirements may not change at all when you move.
If you do face new requirements when you move for the military, your state may be able to help. A growing number of states are adopting laws to help support military families as they seek employment when they move. These laws are developed in conjunction with the First Lady’s Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP) program and support license and certificate portability so that military spouses are in a better position to find employment when relocating. Check with your state to see what types of laws or services exist for service members and their families.
Moving to a new state to explore new opportunities can be an exciting but stressful venture. Finding out your new state’s requirements for dental assistants in advance can help lessen the stress if viewed as the next step in your dental assisting career.
The Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. (DANB) is recognized by the ADA as the national certification board for dental assistants. For more information, please go to www.danb.org, or contact Cynthia C. Durley, M.Ed., MBA, Executive Director of DANB, at 1-800-367-3262 with any questions.
