Arizona — Horseshoe Bend on the Colorado River

Arizona Dental Assistant License

Arizona State Board of Dental Examiners

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

What You'll Need

  • Statement of Citizenship — Evidence of lawful presence in the United States, required for all state-issued certificates.
  • DANB Exam Results — Official score reports for RHS, CP, or Restorative Function exams as applicable. Request Scores
  • Clinical Skills Affidavit — A sworn statement from a licensed dentist verifying clinical competency for Coronal Polishing.
  • Jurisprudence Certificate of Completion — Proof of passing the Arizona-specific laws and rules exam. Jurisprudence Portal

How to Apply

  1. Verify Employment Requirements
    Basic dental assistants in Arizona do not require a state license or registration to perform basic supportive duties under direct supervision.
  2. Obtain Radiology Certification
    To expose radiographs, you must pass the DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam. Alternatively, if you are certified in another state, you may apply to the Board for 'Radiology Certification by Credential'.
  3. Complete Jurisprudence Exam
    Applicants for state-issued certificates (like Radiology by Credential or EFDA) must pass the Arizona Dental Jurisprudence Examination.
    Take Jurisprudence Exam
  4. Apply for Coronal Polishing Certificate
    To perform coronal polishing, you must pass the DANB Coronal Polish (CP) exam and submit a Clinical Skills Affidavit signed by a licensed dentist to DANB.
  5. Apply for EFDA (Restorative) Certification
    To become an Expanded Function Dental Assistant, you must complete a Board-approved EFDA program and pass the DANB AMP, TMP, and RF exams before applying to the Board.
  6. Submit Fingerprint Clearance Card
    Applicants for state-level certification must obtain and maintain a valid Fingerprint Clearance Card from the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS).
    Apply for Fingerprint Card
Total Fee
Contact board
Processing Time
No state application
Fingerprints
Required
Temp License
Not available

Transfer License

Contact the Arizona State Board of Dental Examiners for current transfer requirements.

Steps

  1. Radiology Certification by Credential
    If you hold a current radiography certificate from another U.S. jurisdiction, you can apply for Arizona certification without retaking the RHS exam.
  2. Submit Out-of-State Verification
    Provide official verification of your current dental assistant credentials from the originating state board.
  3. Complete Arizona Jurisprudence
    Even when applying by credential, you must pass the Arizona open-book jurisprudence exam.
    Take Exam
Total Fee
Contact board
Renewal Cycle
Not applicable (one-time notification)
Compact
No
Board
Arizona State Board of Dental Examiners

Keeping Your License Active

Arizona Dental Assistant licenses renew Not applicable (one-time notification). Contact the Arizona State Board of Dental Examiners for continuing education requirements and renewal deadlines.

Fees

ItemAmount

Slow Downs

Missing Citizenship Documentation
Failure to provide a valid Statement of Citizenship and supporting ID will halt the application process immediately.
Fingerprint Card Processing
The DPS fingerprint clearance card can take several weeks to process; apply for this early in the certification flow.
Incomplete Clinical Affidavits
For Coronal Polishing, ensure the dentist signs all required sections of the DANB affidavit before submission.

Questions

Does Arizona require a license for all dental assistants?
No. Basic dental assistants do not need a license. However, certificates are required for radiography, coronal polishing, and expanded restorative functions.
How often do I need to renew my certificates?
Radiology certificates do not expire. Coronal Polishing and EFDA certificates must be renewed biennially (every two years).
Can I take X-rays immediately after being hired?
No. You must first obtain a Board-approved radiography certificate by passing the DANB RHS exam or applying by credential.
What is the passing score for the Jurisprudence exam?
You must obtain a score of 75% or higher on the 50-question open-book exam.

Board Info

Arizona State Board of Dental Examiners
Sources