Kentucky Dental Assistant License
Kentucky Board of Dentistry
Total Fee
Contact board
Processing Time
No state application
Fingerprints
Required
Temp License
Not available
What You'll Need
- CPR Certification — Current certification meeting AHA guidelines; must be kept on file at the dental office.
- Radiography Course Certificate — Proof of completion of a 6-hour safety course and 4-hour technique training if performing X-rays.
- Coronal Polishing Certificate — Certificate from a CODA-accredited institution if performing coronal polishing.
- IV Access Training Certificate — Proof of completion of a Board-approved course if authorized to start IV lines.
How to Apply
-
Secure Employment ▾Find a position as a dental assistant in a Kentucky dental practice. Kentucky does not require a state application or approval process to begin working.
-
Obtain CPR Certification ▾All dental assistants must maintain current certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) that meets or exceeds American Heart Association guidelines.
-
Employer Registration ▾Your employer dentist is responsible for registering you with the Board. This occurs every two years when the dentist renews their own license. No action is required from the assistant.
-
Complete Radiography Training (Optional) ▾To take X-rays, you must complete a 6-hour course in dental radiography safety and 4 hours of instruction in technique (which can be in-office training).
-
Complete Coronal Polishing Training (Optional) ▾To perform coronal polishing, you must complete an 8-hour course from a CODA-accredited institution.
View Approved Courses -
Maintain Office Personnel File ▾Ensure your employer keeps copies of your CPR card and any expanded duty certificates in your personnel file. Do not send these to the Board.
Total Fee
Contact board
Processing Time
No state application
Fingerprints
Required
Temp License
Not available
Transfer License
Contact the Kentucky Board of Dentistry for current transfer requirements.
Steps
-
No Endorsement Process ▾Kentucky does not license dental assistants, so there is no process for transferring or endorsing a license from another state.
-
Verify Training Equivalency ▾If you hold expanded duty certifications from another state, your Kentucky employer must verify that the training meets Kentucky's specific hourly and curriculum requirements.
Total Fee
Contact board
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years (by March 1st of even-numbered years)
Compact
No
Board
Kentucky Board of Dentistry
Keeping Your License Active
Kentucky Dental Assistant licenses renew Every 2 years (by March 1st of even-numbered years). Contact the Kentucky Board of Dentistry for continuing education requirements and renewal deadlines.
Fees
| Item | Amount |
|---|
Slow Downs
Employer Renewal Cycle
▾
Registration only happens during the dentist's biennial renewal; if a dentist misses the renewal window, the assistant's registration status may be affected.
Expired CPR
▾
Failure to maintain an active CPR card is a violation of state regulations and can lead to disciplinary action for the supervising dentist.
Missing Documentation
▾
If certificates for expanded duties are not physically present in the office personnel file during a Board inspection, the office may be cited.
Questions
Do I need a license to be a dental assistant in Kentucky?
▾
No. Kentucky does not issue a dental assistant license. You only need to be registered by your employer dentist and maintain CPR certification.
How do I register with the Board of Dentistry?
▾
You do not register yourself. Your employer dentist registers all assistants in their practice during their biennial license renewal process.
Are there continuing education (CE) requirements for dental assistants?
▾
No. Because Kentucky does not license dental assistants, the Board does not mandate continuing education for them.
Can I take X-rays immediately after being hired?
▾
Only if you have completed the required 6-hour safety course and 4-hour technique training. Documentation must be kept in your personnel file.
Does Kentucky recognize the DANB CDA credential?
▾
While respected, the CDA credential is not specifically required or recognized as a state license in Kentucky. However, the education used to earn it may fulfill expanded duty requirements.
Board Info
Sources