RDA EXAMINATION DATA

A preliminary breakdown of the pass/fail statistics by school is now available. This procedure is a work in progress; therefore, the totals may change slightly several times within six months intervals. The links also represent the over-all pass/fail statistics for the exams taken by month. RDA statistics are available from 2008 to current. All other statistics are available from 2010 to current. Visit the Dental Board of California to view current statistics

We recognize that often candidates, instructors, employers and institutions experience delays in obtaining information from the Dental Board or their website. We are committed to helping the dental community with the necessary information including the forms:

• Current Dental Board RDA Examination application packet for formal education pathway candidates (those qualifying via graduation from a Board-approved RDA program). Packet includes application form, instructions, and LiveScan form:
  download application here:
  (standard application packet) click here for PDF form-fill version of application:
• Current Dental Board RDA Examination application packet for work experience pathway candidates NOT including those who have completed dental assisting coursework in a non-Board approved dental assisting program (i.e: ROP program, CTE program, high-school based program). Packet includes application form, instructions and LiveScan form: download application here: (standard application packet) click here for PDF form-fill version of application.
• Direct link to the Live Scan location listing from the State Attorney General’s Office (see Live Scan page of this section of our website) This is link that needs to go the Assistants page (Live Scan Fingerprint Data) page.
• Blended Dental Board RDA Examination application packet for MIXED EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE candidates – those who have completed dental assisting coursework in a non-Board approved dental assisting program (i.e: ROP program, CTE program, high-school based program). Packet includes application form, instructions and LiveScan form: Click here (Standard application packet) (for PDF form-fill version of application) Click here

Applicants are encouraged to download and review the new application instructions for each pathway. CADAT has extracted the instruction pages from each application type and have provided each instructions for you to download below. Additionally, there is a current outline form for the Combined RDA General Examination and Law/Ethics that will help in preparing students as they study for their written exam.

• For new application instructions for the formal education pathway -Board approved
  RDA programs– Click here
• For new application instructions for the RDA Examination -Qualification through
  satisfactory work Experience/(Blended) Non-board-approved programs – Click here
• Click here: to view the current outline for the Combined RDA General Examination and Law/Ethics that prepares students for their written exam Add link

Formal Education Pathway: Those who have graduated or are preparing to graduate from a Board-approved RDA program in California. Those who have graduated after July 1, 2009 will have different documentation requirements to submit to the Board with their application as those who graduated prior to July 1, 2009. The new RDA application for the formal education pathway will clearly define what documents are required to submit with the application.

Work Experience Pathway/Those Completing Dental Assisting Coursework: Those who have not completed a Board-approved program but have worked 15 months as a dental assistant. This application pathway also includes those who may have completed some of the 15-month requirement in a non-Board approved dental assisting course or program. The new RDA application for the work experience/non-Board coursework pathway will clearly define what documents are required to submit with the application.

For formal education pathway: If the candidate completed a Board-approved RDA program and possess a certificate of program completion dated after July 1, 2009, the only documents required to submit with the application are:

• Certificate of Program Completion dated on or after July 1, 2009
• Copy of current CPR card (AHA/ARC)

For those formal education pathway candidates who graduated from the Board-approved program prior to July 1, 2009 will be required to provide the following documents with the application:

• Certificate of Program Completion dated prior to July 1, 2009 (date of program
  completion may not be more than three (3) years immediately preceding date of
  application)
• Copy of current CPR card (AHA/ARC)
• Certificate of completion of a Board-approved course in Infection Control – 8-hours
• Certificate of completion of a Board-approved course in California Dental Practice Act (CDPA) – 2-hours
• Optional: Certificate of completion of a Board-approved course in Pit and Fissure Sealants (NOTE: If not completed and submitted at the time of application, the candidate may still take the licensing examinations but must complete the certification course by the first renewal of the RDA license requiring continuing education) – 16-hours

Registered Dental Assistant in Extend Functions (RDAEF)

Registered expanded function dental assistants (RDAEFs) are dental assistants who are authorized to perform duties beyond a dental assistant’s traditional duties. The law and regulation specifically define the duties that a Registered Dental Assistant in Extended Functions (RDAEF) is allowed to perform, the level of dentist supervision required, and the settings in which the duties may be performed.

• Click here: for the duties that an RDAEF may perform.
• Click here: on how to become a Registered Dental Assistant in Extended Functions (RDAEF)
• Click here:for the RDAEF application.
• The 2020 examination schedules can be found on the California Dental Board may be found here:
• The Dental Board of California lists Approved RDAEF Educational Providers for courses or you may search the web for approved California Educational Providers.
• Click here for the RDAEF outline as candidates prepare for their exam.

Please visit our website for more information regarding the Dental Board of California and its activities:
www.dbc.ca.gov/index.s