{"application_form_url":"https://www.pals.pa.gov/","application_portal_url":"https://www.pals.pa.gov/","board_contact_url":null,"board_email":"","board_fax":null,"board_mailing_address":null,"board_name":"Pennsylvania State Board of Dentistry","board_parent_org":null,"board_phone":"717-783-1400","board_physical_address":null,"board_source_url":null,"board_url":null,"canonical_url":null,"ce_requirements_url":null,"common_delays":[{"description":"Applications cannot be processed until the electronic notification of Act 31 completion is received from an approved provider.","title":"Missing Act 31 Training"},{"description":"Out-of-state criminal history or delays in FBI fingerprint processing can stall applications for several weeks.","title":"Background Check Discrepancies"},{"description":"The 'Certification of Education' form must be signed, sealed, and sent directly by the school; student-submitted copies are rejected.","title":"Incomplete School Forms"}],"compact_member":null,"compact_name":null,"compact_privilege_fee":null,"created_at":"2026-04-11T20:11:53.726917+00:00","credential_type":null,"description":null,"endorsement_application_url":"https://www.pals.pa.gov/","endorsement_fees":null,"endorsement_steps":[{"description":"Request a Letter of Good Standing from every state where you hold or have held a dental assistant or EFDA license.","title":"Verify Out-of-State License","url":null,"url_label":null},{"description":"Apply via PALS for 'Certification by Endorsement' and pay the applicable fee.","title":"Submit Endorsement Application","url":"https://www.pals.pa.gov/","url_label":"Apply via PALS"},{"description":"Submit documentation showing that the licensure standards of your home state are substantially equivalent to Pennsylvania's requirements.","title":"Provide Proof of Equivalent Standards","url":null,"url_label":null},{"description":"You must still complete the Act 31 Child Abuse training and the FBI fingerprinting process.","title":"Complete PA-Specific Requirements","url":null,"url_label":null}],"exam_registration_url":null,"faqs":[{"answer":"No. Entry-level dental assistants do not require state licensure or registration for basic duties, but they must work under the direct supervision of a dentist.","question":"Do I need a license to work as a basic dental assistant in PA?"},{"answer":"You must pass the DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam or a Board-approved equivalent to be authorized to perform radiologic procedures.","question":"What is required to take X-rays in Pennsylvania?"},{"answer":"EFDAs must complete 10 hours of continuing education every biennial renewal period, including 2 hours of Act 31 Child Abuse training.","question":"How many CE hours are required for EFDA renewal?"},{"answer":"Yes. You must maintain a current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from an approved provider like the American Heart Association or Red Cross.","question":"Is CPR certification required?"}],"fee_payment_url":"https://www.pals.pa.gov/","fingerprint_delay_weeks":null,"fingerprint_fee":null,"fingerprint_method_in_state":null,"fingerprint_method_out_of_state":null,"fingerprint_required":true,"fingerprint_url":"https://www.identogo.com/","fingerprint_vendor":null,"fingerprint_vendor_url":null,"initial_fee_amount":75.0,"initial_fee_breakdown":null,"last_updated":null,"last_verified":null,"license_duration":null,"licensing_pathway":null,"payload_url":null,"processing_time":"4 to 6 Weeks","profession":"Dental Assistant","provisional_info":null,"reciprocity_info":null,"renewal_cycle":"Every 2 years","renewal_fee_amount":null,"renewal_portal_url":"https://www.pals.pa.gov/","required_documents":[{"description":"Must be sent directly from your EFDA educational program to the State Board of Dentistry.","name":"Official Transcripts","url":null,"url_label":null},{"description":"A specific Board form completed by your school official and submitted in a sealed envelope.","name":"Certification of EFDA Education Form","url":"https://www.dos.pa.gov/ProfessionalLicensing/BoardsCommissions/Dentistry/Pages/Applications-and-Forms.aspx","url_label":"Download Forms"},{"description":"Evidence of coverage in the amount of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $3,000,000 per annual aggregate.","name":"Proof of Professional Liability Insurance","url":null,"url_label":null},{"description":"Verification of the 3-hour child abuse recognition and reporting course.","name":"Act 31 Completion Certificate","url":null,"url_label":null},{"description":"A Pennsylvania State Police background check (often integrated into PALS) and FBI fingerprints.","name":"Criminal History Check","url":null,"url_label":null}],"slug":"pennsylvania-da","state_name":"Pennsylvania","state_slug":"pennsylvania","statutes_url":"https://www.pacodeandbulletin.gov/Display/pacode?file=/secure/pacode/data/049/chapter33/chap33toc.html","steps":[{"description":"Complete a Board-approved Expanded Function Dental Assistant (EFDA) program consisting of at least 200 hours of clinical and didactic instruction.","title":"Complete Required Education","url":"https://www.dos.pa.gov/ProfessionalLicensing/BoardsCommissions/Dentistry/Pages/default.aspx","url_label":"View Board Approved Programs"},{"description":"Complete 3 hours of Board-approved continuing education in child abuse recognition and reporting (Act 31). The provider will report completion electronically to the Board.","title":"Complete Mandatory Child Abuse Training","url":null,"url_label":null},{"description":"Create an account on the Pennsylvania Licensing System (PALS) and submit the 'Expanded Function Dental Assistant' application along with the required fee.","title":"Submit Application via PALS","url":"https://www.pals.pa.gov/","url_label":"Login to PALS"},{"description":"Effective July 2025, all new applicants must obtain a fingerprint-based FBI background check. Register via IdentoGO using the service code provided in your PALS application.","title":"Complete FBI Fingerprinting","url":"https://www.identogo.com/","url_label":"Register for Fingerprinting"},{"description":"Once the Board approves your application, you will receive an eligibility notification to schedule your written examination through Pearson VUE.","title":"Register for the EFDA Examination","url":null,"url_label":null},{"description":"To legally perform X-rays, you must pass the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam.","title":"Obtain Radiology Authorization (Optional)","url":null,"url_label":null}],"temp_license_available":false,"temp_license_duration":null,"temp_license_fee":null,"temp_license_processing_time":null,"updated_at":"2026-05-03T10:06:05.333326+00:00","verify_license_url":"https://www.pals.pa.gov/#/page/search"}