{"application_form_url":null,"application_portal_url":null,"board_contact_url":null,"board_email":"DLIBSDHELP@mt.gov","board_fax":null,"board_mailing_address":null,"board_name":"Montana Board of Dentistry","board_parent_org":null,"board_phone":"(406) 841-2300","board_physical_address":null,"board_source_url":null,"board_url":null,"canonical_url":null,"ce_requirements_url":"https://boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov/dentistry/license-information/dental-assistant","common_delays":[{"description":"Dental assistants often assume they can take X-rays immediately; however, they must first pass the RHS exam or a board-approved course, which can take several weeks to schedule and complete.","title":"Lack of Radiology Certification"},{"description":"Since the Board does not track DAs, the burden of proof is on the dentist. Delays in clinical work occur if the dentist has not properly documented the assistant's training and certifications.","title":"Employer Verification Failure"}],"compact_member":null,"compact_name":null,"compact_privilege_fee":null,"created_at":"2026-04-11T20:11:28.029940+00:00","credential_type":null,"description":null,"endorsement_application_url":null,"endorsement_fees":null,"endorsement_steps":[{"description":"Montana no longer automatically accepts radiology certifications from other states. Out-of-state assistants must pass a board-approved written exam (like the DANB RHS) to qualify in Montana.","title":"Out-of-State Radiology Recognition","url":null,"url_label":null}],"exam_registration_url":null,"faqs":[{"answer":"No. Montana does not require licensure or registration for dental assistants. They are classified as dental auxiliaries and work under the supervision and responsibility of a licensed dentist.","question":"Do I need a license to be a dental assistant in Montana?"},{"answer":"No. To legally perform radiographic procedures, you must pass the DANB RHS exam, graduate from a CODA-accredited program, or complete a board-approved radiology course.","question":"Can I take X-rays without a certificate?"},{"answer":"Direct supervision requires the dentist to be in the office while the procedure is performed. General supervision allows certain tasks (for CDAs only) to be performed while the dentist is not physically present, provided they have authorized the treatment.","question":"What is the difference between direct and general supervision in Montana?"},{"answer":"The state does not mandate CE for dental assistants. However, if you hold a national DANB certification (like CDA), you must meet DANB's annual CE requirements to maintain that credential.","question":"Are there continuing education (CE) requirements for Montana dental assistants?"}],"fee_payment_url":null,"fingerprint_delay_weeks":null,"fingerprint_fee":null,"fingerprint_method_in_state":null,"fingerprint_method_out_of_state":null,"fingerprint_required":true,"fingerprint_url":null,"fingerprint_vendor":null,"fingerprint_vendor_url":null,"initial_fee_amount":0.0,"initial_fee_breakdown":null,"last_updated":null,"last_verified":null,"license_duration":null,"licensing_pathway":null,"payload_url":null,"processing_time":"No state application","profession":"Dental Assistant","provisional_info":null,"reciprocity_info":null,"renewal_cycle":"N/A - Montana does not license general Dental Assistants","renewal_fee_amount":null,"renewal_portal_url":null,"required_documents":[{"description":"Required only if the dental assistant will be performing radiographic exposures (X-rays).","name":"DANB RHS Certificate","url":null,"url_label":null},{"description":"Proof of graduation from a CODA-accredited dental assisting program serves as qualification for radiology and expanded duties.","name":"CODA Transcripts","url":null,"url_label":null},{"description":"While not a state filing requirement, most employers and national certification bodies (like DANB) require current BLS/CPR certification.","name":"CPR Certification","url":null,"url_label":null}],"slug":"montana-da","state_name":"Montana","state_slug":"montana","statutes_url":"https://boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov/dentistry/regulations/","steps":[{"description":"Montana does not license or register dental assistants at the state level. You must first find a position in a dental office where a licensed dentist will supervise your training.","title":"Secure Employment","url":null,"url_label":null},{"description":"Receive direct instruction and training from your supervising licensed dentist. The dentist is responsible for ensuring you are competent to perform basic supportive dental procedures.","title":"Complete In-Office Training","url":"https://boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov/dentistry/license-information/dental-assistant","url_label":"View Allowable Duties"},{"description":"To legally expose X-rays, you must either graduate from a CODA-accredited program or pass the DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam. Alternatively, you can complete a board-approved course such as the one offered by the Montana Dental Association.","title":"Obtain Radiology Qualification","url":null,"url_label":null},{"description":"Montana law requires that proof of your radiology certification or CODA graduation be kept at the dental office and made readily available for review by the public or the Board upon request.","title":"Maintain Proof of Competency","url":null,"url_label":null},{"description":"Becoming a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) through the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) allows you to perform certain functions under general supervision rather than direct supervision.","title":"Optional: Pursue CDA Certification","url":null,"url_label":null}],"temp_license_available":false,"temp_license_duration":null,"temp_license_fee":null,"temp_license_processing_time":null,"updated_at":"2026-05-03T10:04:45.403263+00:00","verify_license_url":null}