How to Become a Dental Assistant in Nevada

Checked against Nevada State Board of Dental Examiners · Verified 2026-10-16

Exam: Not required
Training: Not required
Term: See state office
State fee: See state office
Regulated by: Nevada State Board of Dental Examiners

Take the free dental assistant practice test →

Who can apply

Nevada does not license basic dental assistants. A Nevada-licensed dentist may authorize an assistant in his or her employ, under supervision, to do the procedures listed in NAC 631.220.
If you help with x-rays, your dentist must certify to the Board at each license renewal that you were adequately instructed in radiographic procedures, took CPR training at least every 2 years, completed at least 4 hours of infection control CE every 2 years, and received a copy of Nevada's dental laws and regulations before you started.
A separate Expanded Function Dental Assistant (EFDA) license was created by a 2023 law. Applicants must be over 18.

Step by step

Get hired by a Nevada-licensed dentist; no state license is needed for basic assisting.
If you will help with x-rays, receive a copy of NRS and NAC chapter 631 from your employer before you begin.
If you will take x-rays, get adequate instruction in radiographic procedures so your dentist can attest to it.
Keep CPR training current (at least every 2 years) and complete at least 4 hours of infection control CE every 2 years.
Optional: when the Board opens EFDA licensing, apply with proof of qualifying training, CPR and the Board's written clinical and law exams.

Training and exam

Training: No state program is required for basic assisting. Assistants who help with x-rays must have adequate instruction in radiographic procedures and be qualified to operate the equipment, CPR training at least every 2 years, and at least 4 hours of infection control CE every 2 years; the dentist attests to this. EFDA applicants need graduation from an accredited dental assisting program with expanded functions, or an EFDA training course plus either an accredited dental assisting program or 2 years full-time (4 years part-time) of assisting experience and a passing score on DANB's CDA exam.

Exam: No exam is required for basic assisting. Under NRS 631.31286, EFDA license applicants must pass a written clinical exam given by the Board and a written exam on Nevada's laws and regulations for expanded function dental assistance.

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

What it costs in Nevada

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

CPR training every 2 years (assistants who help with x-rays)(optional)$
Infection control CE, 4 hours every 2 years (assistants who help with x-rays)(optional)$
Radiography instruction (assistants who take x-rays)(optional)$

Estimated total in Nevada$0

Cost details from the state

CPR training every 2 years.
Infection control CE (4 hours every 2 years) for assistants who help with x-rays.
Radiography instruction, if you take x-rays.
DANB CDA exam and an EFDA training course, if you pursue the EFDA license through the experience route.

Pay in Nevada

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

Keeping your credential

Renewal: Basic assistants have no license to renew. For assistants who help with x-rays, the employing dentist must file a certified statement with each license renewal listing you and attesting to your radiography instruction, CPR training every 2 years and 4 hours of infection control CE every 2 years.

Good to know in Nevada

What assistants may do: Before the dentist examines the patient, an assistant may expose x-rays and take impressions for diagnostic models. After the exam, an assistant may do the tasks listed in NAC 631.220, such as placing rubber dams, removing sutures, fabricating and placing temporary crowns, coronal polishing (after a dentist, therapist or hygienist confirms the teeth are free of calculus), applying topical fluoride and placing sealants (checked by the dentist before the patient leaves).

Limits: An assistant may not use a rotary cutting instrument to remove excess cement, and may apply topical anesthetic in any form except aerosol.

EFDA license status: The Board's EFDA page says the Expanded Function Dental Assistant license is not currently available because the Board is still writing the regulations. Its June 8, 2026 license application had listed an anticipated launch in Q3 2026.

Lead aprons: Every patient getting x-rays must be covered with a lead apron.

EFDA rules once licensing opens: Once available, EFDA licenses renew every two years by June 30 of even-numbered years. EFDAs may place and finish direct restorations (amalgam, composite, glass ionomer), take final impressions and, with the dentist's approval, cement permanent restorations (NRS 631.3129). EFDAs licensed in another state can apply by endorsement (NRS 631.31287).

Sources

General information, not legal advice. Fees and rules change — confirm with Nevada State Board of Dental Examiners before you apply.