How to Become a Dental Assistant in Maryland

Who can apply

• A level one dental assistant needs no Board certification or registration, but must be at least 18 and work under the direct supervision of a dentist (COMAR 10.44.01.03).
• The supervising dentist must make sure a level one assistant is trained in infection control and CPR.
• To place and expose dental x-rays you must be certified by the Board as a Dental Radiation Technologist (DRT). Passing DANB's RHS exam or holding the DANB CDA is not enough by itself.
• DRT applicants must be 18 or older, of good moral character, and hold a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Sealants, coronal polishing, silver diamine fluoride, nitrous oxide monitoring, acid etching and bonding agents require Board certification as a general duties expanded function dental assistant (EFDA).

Step by step

1. Start as a level one dental assistant: on-the-job training is allowed, and the dentist must make sure you are trained in infection control and CPR.
2. To take x-rays, complete a Board-approved dental radiation course of at least 24 classroom hours.
3. Pass the DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam.
4. Mail the notarized DRT by-examination application with a notarized 2x2 photo, the official DANB passing letter, course proof and the $20 fee (check or money order) to the Board.
5. Do not take x-rays until the Board issues your DRT certificate.
6. For expanded duties, take a Board-approved EFDA course, pass the DANB Maryland EFDA exam and the Maryland jurisprudence exam, complete a state criminal history check, and apply for EFDA certification.

Official application →

Training and exam

Training: No training program is required for a level one dental assistant; the dentist must ensure training in infection control and CPR. The DRT certificate requires a Board-approved course of at least 24 hours in Maryland dental radiology (classroom only). Veterans and service members may use military dental radiation training of at least 24 hours if the Board finds it equivalent. Since August 31, 2026, the general duties EFDA requires a Board-approved course of at least 60 hours (including at least 15 hours of in-person hands-on clinical training), and the orthodontic EFDA requires at least 35 hours (at least 10 hours hands-on). Only courses with a Board course number (EGD or EOR) count; check with the Board for currently approved EFDA courses.

Exam: No exam is required for a level one assistant. The DRT certificate requires passing the DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam (official DANB passing letter). EFDA certification requires the Maryland General Duties or Orthodontic EFDA exam given by DANB, plus the Maryland Jurisprudence Examination on Dental Assisting with a score of at least 75 in each required section ($50 jurisprudence exam fee under COMAR 10.44.20).

What it costs in Maryland

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

How long it takes

The Board says the application process can take up to 30 days.

Keeping your credential

Renewal: DRT certificates run 2 years and renew January 1 to March 1 (certificate numbers ending in an odd digit renew in odd years, even in even years); the late period is March 2 to April 1 with a $50 late fee, and you may not practice after April 1 if not renewed. To renew you need at least 600 hours of DRT practice in the past 6 years or 8 classroom hours of dental CE (4 on radiation safety), plus a single 3-hour Board-approved infection control course. EFDA certificates expire October 31 of the second year and need 15 hours of Board-approved CE, including a 3-hour infection control course.

Good to know in Maryland

Supervision: Level one assistants, EFDAs and DRTs work under direct supervision: the dentist is in the office, diagnoses, authorizes the procedure and checks the assistant's work before the patient leaves. Dental hygienists may not provide this supervision.

Licensed in another state: A DRT certified in another state may get Maryland certification by waiver if they practiced dental radiation technology for at least 150 hours in the 3 years before applying. There is no waiver for out-of-state EFDAs.

Old categories ended August 31, 2026: The Board no longer issues 'Qualified in General Duties' or 'Qualified in Orthodontics' recognitions. Assistants previously qualified in orthodontics may keep doing orthodontic EFDA duties only through February 28, 2027, and must be certified as an orthodontic EFDA by then. Assistants previously qualified in general duties may only do level one duties unless they earn general duties EFDA certification.

Coronal polishing limits: A general duties EFDA may polish only to remove stain or biofilm after a dentist or dental hygienist has performed the prophylaxis. EFDAs may not perform a prophylaxis.

Sources

• COMAR 10.44.01 - Dental Assistants
• COMAR 10.44.01.03 - Level One Dental Assistants
• COMAR 10.44.01.05 - Qualifications for General Duties EFDAs
• COMAR 10.44.19 - Dental Radiation Technologist
• COMAR 10.44.20.02 - Fee Schedule
• Maryland Board of Dental Examiners - Expanded Function Dental Assistant FAQ
• Maryland Board - Application for Initial DRT Certification by Examination
• Maryland Board - FAQ (DRT renewal period)
• Maryland Board - Licensure Information