Exam Information

National Certification Examinations For those dental assistants who meet the eligibility and examination requirements, National DANB Certification may be earned as a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) and/or Certified Orthodontic Assistant (COA). DANB offers the option to take any of its exams in a computerized format (offered throughout the year) or in a written format (paper and pencil, offered up to three times a year in select locations). Links to each of the DANB Exam Candidate Guides for each test administration formats are found directly following the copy for each national DANB Certification exam described below. DANB Exam Candidate Guides include information on how to apply for the exam(s), eligibility requirements, DANB policies, DANB exam applications, a listing of CODA-accredited schools, testing locations, a listing of DANB exam reference materials and order forms for DANB study publications.
Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) The CDA examination focuses on General Chairside Assisting and is DANB's primary certification. In addition to a General Chairside component (GC), the CDA exam contains separate components covering Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) and Infection Control (ICE) topics. Many states are using the CDA examination or one of its components as part of dental assisting regulatory requirements. There have been over 100,000 certifications awarded and currently there are over 30,000 professionals maintaining the credential. [Click here to download a 2009 DANB CDA Exam Candidate Guide for a computerized test administration.] [Click here to download a 2008 DANB CDA Exam Candidate Guide for a written test administration.] Maryland assistants: click here for for a list of Maryland-approved dental radiography courses, and the appropriate Maryland school codes for your CDA Exam Application.
The GC, RHS, and ICE component examinations make up the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) Examination. (GC) The General Chairside (GC) examination is one of three components of the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) examination. There are 120 multiple-choice questions on the GC examination. Application for the GC requires specific documentation supporting the requirements of three possible eligibility pathways. Candidates who successfully complete the GC examination may within five (5) years of passing this exam apply their scores towards a DANB CDA credential, as long as they have also passed the Infection Control (ICE) and Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exams within this time period. [Click here to download a 2009 DANB CDA Exam Candidate Guide for a computerized test administration, which includes the eligibility requirements and application form for the GC exam.] [Click here to download a 2008 DANB CDA Exam Candidate Guide for a written test administration, which includes the eligibility requirements and application form for the GC exam.]
ICE The Infection Control (ICE) examination is one of three components of the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) examination. It is also one of two components of the Certified Orthodontic Assistant (COA) examination. There are 100 multiple-choice questions on the ICE examination. There are no prerequisites for the ICE; therefore, no documentation is required with application. Passing this exam allows dental assistants to demonstrate competence in an area that is very important to the health and safety of dental health care workers and patients alike. Candidates who successfully complete the ICE examination may within five (5) years of passing this exam apply their certificate towards a DANB CDA credential, as long as they have also passed the RHS and GC exams within this time period. [Click here to download a 2009 DANB CDA Exam Candidate Guide for a computerized test administration, which includes the eligibility requirements and application form for the ICE exam.] [Click here to download a 2008 DANB CDA Exam Candidate Guide for a written test administration, which includes the eligibility requirements and application form for the ICE exam.] RHS The Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) examination is one of three components of the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) examination. There are 100 multiple-choice questions on the RHS examination. There are no prerequisites for the RHS; therefore, no documentation is required with application. Passing this exam allows dental assistants to demonstrate competence in an area that is very important to the health and safety of dental health care workers and patients alike. Candidates who successfully complete the RHS examination may within five (5) years of passing this exam apply their certificate towards a DANB CDA credential, as long as they have also passed the Infection Control (ICE) and General Chairside (GC) exams within this time period. [Click here to download a 2009 DANB CDA Exam Candidate Guide for a computerized test administration, which includes the eligibility requirements and application form for the RHS exam.] [Click here to download a 2008 DANB CDA Exam Candidate Guide for a written test administration, which includes the eligibility requirements and application form for the RHS exam.] Maryland assistants: click here for for a list of Maryland-approved dental radiography courses, and the appropriate Maryland school codes for your RHS Exam application materials. Certified Orthodontic Assistant (COA) The COA examination in Orthodontic Assisting was added in 1986 to offer credentialing for assistants specializing in orthodontic assisting procedures. The exam contains the Infection Control (ICE) component, as well as a 210-question Orthodontic Assisting component. [Click here to download a 2009 DANB COA Exam Candidate Guide for a computerized test administration.] [Click here to download a 2008 DANB COA Exam Candidate Guide for a written test administration.]
Orthodontic Assisting (OA) The Orthodontic Assisting (OA) examination joins Infection Control (ICE) as one of two components of the Certified Orthodontic Assisting (COA) examination. There are 210 multiple-choice questions on the OA examination. Application for the OA requires specific documentation supporting the requirements of four possible eligibility pathways. Candidates who successfully complete the OA examination may within five (5) years of passing this exam apply their scores towards a DANB COA credential, as long as they have also passed the Infection Control (ICE) exam within this same time period. [Click here to download a 2009 DANB COA Exam Candidate Guide for a computerized test administration, which includes the eligibility requirements and application form for the OA exam.] [Click here to download a 2008 DANB COA Exam Candidate Guide for a written test administration, which includes the eligibility requirements and application form for the OA exam.]

DANB Exams Can Be Taken in a Computerized or Written Format Computerized Format DANB has contracted with a national computerized testing vendor, Pearson VUE, to administer DANB exams in a computerized format. This allows more flexibility in scheduling dates and times. There are no specific exam dates nor application deadlines. After an application is processed, the candidate will receive a Test Admission Notice from DANB within four weeks stating that the candidate may schedule an appointment by calling a special toll-free line (800 525-2586). This toll-free line is available 7am to 7pm CST Monday through Friday. After receiving a Test Admission Notice from DANB, candidates may also schedule their computerized exam online at any time. Candidates who choose to test in a computerized format will be assigned a 60-day eligibility window during which testing must be completed. The eligibility window will not be extended and the entire exam fee will be forfeited if the exam is not taken within this period. Written Format Written exams are given three times a year at designated locations. Access Exam Dates/Locations by selecting the button on the upper left of this screen. *Note: Effective January 1, 2008, written exam fees are $40 more than taking the exams in a computerized format.*
Group Testing Available for DANB Exams DANB is able to offer group scheduling at Pearson Professional Centers for groups of four or more who want to take any of the national Certification exams or component exams on the same day. Realizing the value of group goal-setting and the positive effect of peer encouragement, DANB has made an agreement with Pearson VUE to accommodate scheduling of groups for computer testing. For more information on group testing, please contact DANB's Coordinator of Testing and Measurement at 1-800-FOR-DANB extension 452 or send an email to testing1@danb.org A completed DANB Group Testing Form must accompany the candidate applications. [Click here to download the DANB Group Application Form]
Professional Development Examination Program (PDEP) Having earned a DANB Credential is not only a professional achievement, but a personal one as well. Keep your DANB Certification in good shape by exercising your option to renew or reinstate your DANB Certification through the Professional Development Examination Program (PDEP). This convenient, in-home testing program, available only to current or former DANB Certificants, challenges you to advance your professional knowledge using pertinent content materials researched and selected by DANB’s Exam Committees. Maintaining your highly-valued DANB Credential places you in an elite group of more than 30,000 dental assisting professionals. Certificants whose credential (CDA, COA, CDPMA, COMSA) has lapsed between 12 and 30 months can reinstate using the PDEP option. For specific requirements based on your expiration date call 1-800-FOR-DANB extension 445. [Click here for information on DANB Certification renewal through PDEP!]