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Try the RDA Eligibility Assistant

Are you eligible for RDA certification?

Applicants must meet one of the following routes to be eligible to apply for an RDA certification exam.

The RDA credential is not a substitute for compliance with any licensing or regulatory requirements that an individual state may impose.

The acronym “RDA” or designation of “Registered Dental Assistant” issued by AMT is a national certification, and should not be confused with similar terminology that may be employed in some states (where it is a state license). Applicants should always check with regulators in their states regarding the requirements for practicing as a dental assistant in those states.

Required Documentation

Education Route

Applicant shall be a graduate of, or scheduled to graduate from, an accredited dental assisting program*.

  • All training programs must have been structured to include at least the following content areas:
    • office assisting skills, dental sciences, clinical procedures and dental radiography
  • Applicants must be certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)

*Program or institution must be accredited by a regional or national accreditation agency approved by the US Department of Education (DOE), the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or otherwise approved by AMT.

If recently graduated (last 4 years):

  • Official final transcript provided by the school, showing graduation from a Dental Assistant program
  • Valid CPR card (copy of front and back). CPR training must include both theoretical and in-person demonstration of CPR proficiency

If graduated 4+ years ago:

  • Copy of transcripts showing graduation from a Dental Assistant program
  • Documented, relevant, full-time work experience for 3 years out of the last 5 years that is verified by AMT.  Work requirement is assumed to be full-time (40 hours per week). May be a combination of part time settings
  • Valid CPR card (copy of front and back). CPR training must include both theoretical and in-person demonstration of CPR proficiency
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Military Route

Applicant shall have completed a military dental assisting training program AND shall have completed a minimum of one year of work experience in the dental assisting profession.

  • All training programs must have been structured to include at least the following content areas:
    • office assisting skills, dental sciences, clinical procedures and dental radiography
  • Applicants must be certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)

If recently graduated (last 4 years):

  • Copy of Joint Services Transcript (JST) showing graduation from a formal training program
  • Valid CPR card (copy of front and back). CPR training must include both theoretical and in-person demonstration of CPR proficiency

If graduated 4+ years ago:

  • Copy of Joint Services Transcript (JST) showing graduation from a formal training program
  • Documented, relevant, full-time (40 hours per week) work experience for 3 years out of the last 5 years that is verified by AMT.  May be a combination of part time settings
  • Copy of the DD214 (if discharged)
  • Copy of recent evaluations covering the required work experience timeframe
  • Valid CPR card (copy of front and back). CPR training must include both theoretical and in-person demonstration of CPR proficiency
Apply Now

Work Experience Route

Applicant shall have been employed as a dental assistant for a minimum of three years (5,250 hours).

  • Work requirement is assumed to be full-time (40 hours per week). May be a combination of part time settings.

  • A copy of your high school diploma, GED, or equivalent
  • Documented, relevant, full-time work experience for minimum of 3 years that is verified by AMT
  • Valid CPR card (copy of front + back) that includes hands-on training
Apply Now

Instructor Route

Applicant shall be currently instructing in an accredited Dental Assisting Program*, shall have completed a course of instruction in a healthcare discipline related to dental assisting, and shall have a minimum of three years of full-time teaching experience (or equivalent part-time experience equal to three years full-time) in a dental assisting discipline that includes office assisting skills, dental sciences, preclinical procedures, infection control, and dental radiography/imaging.

An applicant who has less than three years of full-time teaching experience (or equivalent), but more than one year, shall have a minimum of two years of full-time dental assisting experience within the past five years, in a healthcare profession in which the scope of practice is commensurate with, or exceeds, the dental assisting scope of practice that includes office assisting skills, dental sciences, preclinical procedures, infection control, and dental radiography/imaging. Full-time work is considered 40 hours per week (part-time combination allowed).

*Program or institution must be accredited by a regional or national accreditation agency approved by the US Department of Education (DOE), the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), or otherwise approved by the AMT Board of Directors.

  • Copy of academic transcript
  • Proof of documented, relevant work experience that is verified by AMT
  • Valid CPR card (copy of front + back) that includes hands-on training
Apply Now

Once Eligible You Can Apply

Complete application and submit fee online.

Once you are eligible you can apply. Submit a separate application for each certification.

Pay fee*

RDA
$150

*Fees are non-refundable and include application, exam and first annual fee.

Apply Today

Application is valid for 1 year.

Allow 1-2 business days for processing.

Utilize AMT study resources to increase testing confidence.

Practice Exam

RDA Practice Exam

*AMT practice exams are excellent resources for test preparation. They are an optional resource and not required to pass the exam.

Dental Assistant (RDA)

Once you receive notification from AMT with approval you may proceed.

Scheduling Your Exam

If you are taking the exam at your school, your instructor will provide information about the exam date and time. If you are taking the exam at a one of the hundreds of Pearson VUE testing center locations across the country, you will schedule your own exam.

Locate a Testing Center Near Me

To cancel or reschedule

Call Pearson VUE at 1-888-846-6941 24 hours prior to your exam. If you are late or don’t show, you must pay a retesting fee to reschedule.

Scheduling tips

  • Schedule as far in advance as possible
  • AMT cannot schedule for you
  • Scheduling online is preferred
  • The Pearson VUE profile you create for the exam is separate from your AMT account, so AMT Log-in information won’t work
Schedule Exam Online

or Call 1-888-846-6941

Take the Exam

Arrive 30 minutes prior to exam time with the required testing items:

  1. Authorization letter
  2. Two forms of valid identification
    • Both must have your first and last name identical to your name on your authorization letter
    • Both must bear your signature
    • One form must be a photo ID, either a driver’s license, state ID card, military ID, or passport

If you have questions about the acceptability of your identification, contact Pearson Vue:

Call 1-888-846-6941

Know what to expect:

Pearson VUE Security Measures

After the Exam

  • Results are available after the exam and are sent to AMT within 48 hours
  • All documentation MUST be complete to receive certification
  • You'll receive an email from Credly to claim your digital badge
  • You may download your certified member card from My AMT Portal.

If your application expires prior to gaining certification, you must submit a new application and fee to continue.

Retesting

If you receive a failing score, you will need to retake the entire exam.

  • Retake is permitted no sooner than 45 days from previous attempt
  • A non-refundable fee is required for each additional attempt
  • You are limited to 4 exam attempts for any one certification
  • Consult the AMT study resources to prepare for a retake

Retesting fee

RDA
$110

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