How to Become a Dental Assistant in Maine

Checked against Maine Board of Dental Practice (Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation) · Verified 2026-10-16

Exam: Not required
Training: Not required
Term: 2 years
State fee: Dental radiographer: $50 application fee plus $200 license fee (2-year license). EFDA: $50 application fee plus $200 license fee.
Regulated by: Maine Board of Dental Practice (Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation)

Take the free dental assistant practice test →

Who can apply

Dental assistants are not licensed by the Board. A dentist may delegate to an unlicensed assistant activities 'delegated by custom and usage' under the dentist's supervision, and the dentist is legally liable for them (32 M.R.S. 18371).
A dentist may not delegate to an unlicensed person any activity that requires a license, including dental x-rays.
To take dental x-rays you must hold a Maine dental radiographer license.
Radiographer applicants need a high school diploma or equivalent, a Board-approved radiography exam (or course with exit exam), the Board's jurisprudence exam, and current BLS (CPR) certification.

Step by step

Work as an unlicensed dental assistant on duties your dentist delegates.
To take x-rays, pass a Board-approved radiography course with exit exam or the DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam.
Get BLS certification with a hands-on component (online-only training is not accepted).
Print and complete the Board's open-book dental radiography jurisprudence exam (90% to pass).
Apply online for the dental radiographer license, uploading the jurisprudence exam, and pay the $50 application fee plus the $200 license fee.
Renew every two years by December 31 of odd-numbered years with current BLS.

Official application →

Training and exam

Training: No training is required for a basic unlicensed dental assistant. For the dental radiographer license you need either a Board-approved course in dental radiologic technique and safety with an exit exam, or a Board-approved exam alone. The Board's September 2026 list of approved options: Boston University, Massachusetts Dental Society, Talk Teeth 2 Me, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, University of Maine Augusta-Bangor and University of New England courses, or the DANB Radiation Health and Safety exam. The expanded function dental assistant (EFDA) license requires a Board-approved EFDA program.

Exam: No exam for a basic assistant. The radiographer license needs a Board-approved radiography exam (for example the DANB Radiation Health and Safety exam, or the exit exam of an approved course) and the Board's open-book jurisprudence exam. You print, complete and upload the jurisprudence exam with your online application. The passing score is 90%, and failing it three times may lead to a preliminary denial.

No state exam for basic assistants here, but x-ray and DANB exams are common. Practice free →

What it costs in Maine

Fixed amounts are set by the state. Items marked “your quote” are priced by private sellers, so enter what you’re quoted.

Dental radiographer application fee$50
Dental radiographer license fee (2 years)$200
Approved radiography course or DANB RHS exam$
BLS certification$

Estimated total in Maine$250Plus 2 items with no state-set price. Add your quotes above to complete the total.

Cost details from the state

Approved radiography course tuition or DANB RHS exam fee (set by the provider).
BLS certification course with hands-on skills.

Pay in Maine

Before you compare job offers, see what a paycheck takes home in Maine after taxes.

Keeping your credential

Renewal: Dental radiographer licenses renew every two years on December 31 of odd-numbered years for $200. The only renewal condition is a current BLS certification; there is no continuing education hour requirement for radiographers. You can renew up to 90 days late with a $50 late fee; after 90 days you must apply for reinstatement. EFDA licenses renew December 31 of even-numbered years and require continuing education and current BLS.

Good to know in Maine

Supervision: A licensed dental radiographer may practice under the general supervision of a dentist or an independent practice dental hygienist.

Expanded function dental assistant (EFDA): The EFDA is a separate Board license. You need a high school diploma or equivalent, a current dental assisting certificate from a Board-approved program or an active dental hygiene license, completion of a Board-approved EFDA program, the EFDA jurisprudence exam (90%), and current BLS.

Application deadline: If the Board asks for missing materials, you have 90 days to send them or the application may be denied.

Temporary license: The Board's fee rule lists a 6-month temporary dental radiographer license for $100.

Keep your contact details current: Maine law requires licensees to tell the Board of any address or name change within 10 days. Renewal notices are emailed at least 60 days before the license expires.

Sources

General information, not legal advice. Fees and rules change — confirm with Maine Board of Dental Practice (Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation) before you apply.