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Illinois Dental Assistant License

Illinois Division of Professional Regulation

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

What You'll Need

  • High School Diploma or GED — Proof of secondary education completion is required for most training programs.
  • Radiography Course Certificate — Certificate of completion from an IDFPR-approved 24-hour radiation safety course.
  • DANB RHS Exam Results — Official passing score report for the Radiation Health and Safety exam.
  • CPR/BLS Card — Current healthcare provider level CPR certification card.
  • Expanded Function Certificates — Certificates for Coronal Polishing, Pit and Fissure Sealants, or Nitrous Oxide Monitoring if applicable.

How to Apply

  1. Secure Employment and Basic Training ▾
    In Illinois, dental assistants are unlicensed personnel. You must be at least 18 years of age and receive on-the-job training under the supervision of a licensed dentist.
  2. Complete Radiation Safety Training ▾
    To take X-rays, you must complete a 24-hour radiography course approved by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) within 12 months of employment.
  3. Pass the DANB RHS Exam ▾
    After completing the radiography course, you must pass the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam.
  4. Obtain BLS/CPR Certification ▾
    Maintain a current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification for healthcare providers, which is required for performing expanded functions and monitoring sedation.
  5. Complete Expanded Function Courses ▾
    To perform coronal polishing or apply sealants, you must have 1,000 hours of clinical experience and complete a board-approved certification course.
  6. Maintain Documentation ▾
    Illinois does not issue a state license card for dental assistants. Your employer must keep your training certificates and proof of clinical hours on file at the dental office.
Total Fee
Contact board
Processing Time
No state application
Fingerprints
Required
Temp License
Not available

Transfer License

Contact the Illinois Division of Professional Regulation for current transfer requirements.

Steps

  1. Verify Out-of-State Training ▾
    If you were trained in another state, your supervising dentist must verify that your training meets the specific hourly and didactic requirements of the Illinois Dental Practice Act.
  2. Provide Proof of Experience ▾
    Provide documentation of at least 1,000 hours of clinical experience to qualify for Illinois expanded function courses.
  3. Complete Illinois-Specific Courses ▾
    If your previous state's training is not recognized, you must complete an Illinois-approved course for functions like Coronal Polishing or Sealants.
Total Fee
Contact board
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Compact
No
Board
Illinois Division of Professional Regulation

Keeping Your License Active

Illinois Dental Assistant licenses renew Every 2 years. Contact the Illinois Division of Professional Regulation for continuing education requirements and renewal deadlines.

Fees

ItemAmount

Slow Downs

Clinical Hour Thresholds ▾
Many expanded function courses require 1,000 to 2,000 hours of prior experience; failing to track these hours accurately can delay your eligibility.
Course Availability ▾
Approved expanded function courses are often held in-person and may have limited dates or locations throughout the year.
Employer Record Keeping ▾
Because there is no state registry, delays occur when dentists fail to maintain copies of assistant certifications, which are required during office inspections.

Questions

Does Illinois license dental assistants? ▾
No. Illinois does not issue a state license or registration for dental assistants. They are considered unlicensed personnel who must meet specific training requirements for certain tasks.
What is required to take X-rays in Illinois? ▾
You must be 18 years old, complete a 24-hour board-approved radiography course, and pass the DANB RHS exam.
Can a dental assistant perform coronal polishing? ▾
Yes, provided they have 1,000 hours of experience and have completed a board-approved course consisting of 4 hours of didactic study and 2 hours of clinical instruction.
Is a DANB CDA certification required in Illinois? ▾
No, the CDA is a voluntary national certification. However, holding a CDA can satisfy some of the prerequisites for expanded function training in Illinois.
How do I verify a dental assistant's 'license' in Illinois? ▾
Since there is no state license, you cannot verify them through the IDFPR portal. You must verify their qualifications by reviewing their training certificates held at their place of employment.

Board Info

Illinois Division of Professional Regulation
Phone(800) 560-6420
Sources
State statutes