--- title: Dental Assistant Certification url: "https://arizonacollege.edu/healthcare-careers/dental-assistant/dental-assistant-certification/" type: page date_published: 2025-08-19 date_modified: 2026-05-12 schema: @type: WebPage language: en-US word_count: 1291 reading_time: 7 min canonical: "https://arizonacollege.edu/healthcare-careers/dental-assistant/dental-assistant-certification/" --- # Dental Assistant Certification ![Arizona College hero bars graphic](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/themes/arizona-college/assets/svg/hero-bars.svg) # Dental Assistant Certification Earn Your Dental Assistant Diploma in Approximately 9 Months Classes begin June 1st ## Becoming A Certified Dental Assistant Many dental assistants choose to pursue one or more certifications through the  [Dental Assisting National Board](https://www.danb.org/exams/exam/cda-exam)  (DANB) after completion of a training program. Registration with DANB is not required for working in  [dental assisting in every state](https://www.danb.org/Meet-State-Requirements/State-Specific-Information.aspx) . However, by obtaining and adding certification to your resume, you can better demonstrate your verified knowledge of dental care. Certification makes you more marketable as you pursue employment in dental practices or other dentistry settings. ![ABHES Accredited Nursing School](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/logo-abhes.png) _All Arizona College campuses are institutionally accredited by the [Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)](http://www.abhes.org/), a U.S. Department of Education-recognized accrediting agency._ ## Types of Dental Assistant Exams and Certifications Component Exams (RHS, ICE, AMP, GC) Some  [dental assistant duties](https://arizonacollege.edu/healthcare-careers/dental-assistant/what-is-a-dental-assistant/)  and tasks do require specific types of credentials. For instance, in many states, including Arizona, dental assistants must have a certification to process patient x-rays. This distinct type of credential is obtained through a component exam for Radiation Health and Safety (RHS). ![Dental assisting student at Arizona College](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Arizona-College-Healthcare-Careers-18.webp) ## Dental Assistant Certifications Passing RHS, ICE, and AMP is one of the eligibility requirements for  [NELDA](https://www.danb.org/en/Become-Certified/Exams-and-Certifications/NELDA.aspx) . Passing RHS, ICE, and GC is one of the eligibility requirements for  [CDA](https://www.danb.org/Become-Certified/Exams-and-Certifications/CDA.aspx). Passing OA and ICE is one of the eligibility requirements for  [COA](https://www.danb.org/en/Become-Certified/Exams-and-Certifications/COA.aspx) . Passing CP, SE, TA, and TF is one of the eligibility requirements for  [CPFDA](https://www.danb.org/en/Become-Certified/Exams-and-Certifications/CPFDA.aspx) . Passing AMP, IM, TMP, IS, SE, and RF is one of the eligibility requirements for  [CRFDA](https://www.danb.org/en/Become-Certified/Exams-and-Certifications/CRFDA.aspx) . ## How Arizona College Helps You Become a Certified Dental Assistant Begin your journey to becoming a certified dental assistant with the Dental Assisting Training Program at Arizona College. Two of the component exams necessary for certification, Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) and Infection Control (ICE), can be completed during this program. RHS and ICE have no eligibility requirements. Arizona College recommends that our students take the RHS examination after completing the radiology course and lab and ICE after completing the infection control course and lab. The RHS credential will allow you to legally expose radiographs in many states, including Arizona, which will open up more opportunities for you in the clinical externship component of our dental assisting program. The General Chairside Exam (GC) is available to graduates of our dental assistant program after a minimum of two years’ experience in the dental field. ![Dental Assistant Tray with Tools](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Dental-tray.webp) ## Eligibility Requirements The RHS and other component exams essentially serve as stepping stones for different types and levels of dental assistant certifications. They are an essential part of how to become a certified dental assistant.  [Eligibility requirements](https://www.danb.org/en/Become-Certified/Exams-and-Certifications/Exam-Eligibility-Requirements.aspx)  for the five types of certified dental assistant certifications offered by DANB include successful completion of several component examinations. The 13 component exams for dental assistant certifications are: - [Anatomy, Morphology and Physiology](https://www.danb.org/exams/exam/amp-exam)  (AMP) - [Coronal Polishing](https://www.danb.org/exams/exam/cp-exam) (CP) - [General Chairside Assisting](https://www.danb.org/exams/exam/gc-exam) (GC) - [Impressions](https://www.danb.org/exams/exam/im-exam) (IM) - [Infection Control](https://www.danb.org/exams/exam/ice-exam) (ICE) - Isolation (IS) - [Orthodontic Assisting](https://www.danb.org/exams/exam/oa-exam) (OA) - [Radiation Health and Safety](https://www.danb.org/exams/exam/rhs-exam) (RHS) - [Restorative Functions](https://www.danb.org/exams/exam/rf-exam) (RF) - [Sealants](https://www.danb.org/exams/exam/se-exam) (SE) - [Temporaries](https://www.danb.org/exams/exam/tmp-exam) (TMP) - Topical Anesthetic (TA) - [Topical Fluoride](https://www.danb.org/exams/exam/tf-exam) (TF) ## Costs and Timelines for Dental Assistant Certification Exams Students may apply for RHS and ICE exams through Arizona College’s dental assisting program or on the Dental Assisting National Board’s (DANB) website. - It is important to note that fees are due with the exam application. - Each exam, individually, costs around $250. - By taking the RHS and ICE exams together, you can get a  [cost savings](https://www.danb.org/Become-Certified/Exams-and-Certifications/RHICE-Exam.aspx) . - Each exam takes 1.25 hours and consists of 100 multiple-choice questions. - [Exam blueprints](https://www.danb.org/Become-Certified/Prepare-for-DANB-Exams.aspx)  and study materials can be obtained by visiting the DANB website. - Expect 3 to 4 weeks for the exam application to be processed. Once approved, the applicant will receive a testing notice to sign up at a local testing center. - Students can purchase study outlines and practice examinations by visiting the DANB website. - After testing, an unofficial pass/fail report will be provided, and the official results will be mailed to the exam taker in 3 to 4 weeks. ![Arizona College watermark graphic](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/themes/arizona-college/dist/images/azc-iconmark.svg) ## Dental Assistant Training at Arizona College We invite you to learn more about our accredited school and our hands-on dental assisting diploma program. This program can be completed in as little as 38 weeks. It includes clinical experience via an externship in a dental office.  [Financial aid](https://arizonacollege.edu/admissions/financial-aid/) is available for those who qualify. Complete a  [request for information form](https://arizonacollege.edu/request-information/)  to connect with the Admissions Team at Arizona College of Allied Health and learn more. Start on the path to fulfilling your dream of  [becoming a dental assistant](https://arizonacollege.edu/healthcare-careers/dental-assistant/how-to-become-a-dental-assistant/) . Change lives.  [Choose Arizona College](https://arizonacollege.edu/healthcare-careers/)! ## Guide to Becoming a Dental Assistant Ready to make a difference in healthcare? 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