How to Become a Dental Assistant in Tennessee

Checked against Tennessee Board of Dentistry (Department of Health) · Verified 2026-10-16

Exam: Required
Training: Not required
Term: 2 years
State fee: $32.50 at application ($22.50 registration application fee plus $10 state regulatory fee). Renewal every two years: $37.50 plus the $10 state regulatory fee.
Regulated by: Tennessee Board of Dentistry (Department of Health)

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Who can apply

Tennessee has two levels. A practical dental assistant is an unregistered employee being trained chairside by a dentist, or a student in a CODA-accredited program. They work under the dentist's direct supervision.
To work beyond the practical level you must be a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA). You must be at least 18 and have a high school diploma or GED.
RDA applicants need two letters of good moral character from licensed dental professionals, a criminal background check, proof of U.S. or Canadian citizenship or legal right to live in the U.S., and an in-person CPR course with a manikin skills test.
You must pass the Tennessee Board of Dentistry Ethics and Jurisprudence exam.
Only RDAs with Board certification may expose x-rays, coronal polish, monitor nitrous oxide, place sealants, or do expanded restorative or prosthetic functions.

Step by step

Get a high school diploma or GED and an in-person BLS or professional rescuer CPR card.
Collect two signed letters on letterhead from licensed dental professionals and a passport photo taken in the last 12 months.
Complete the criminal background check (OCA number 1222) and the notarized Declaration of Citizenship.
Pass the Board's Ethics and Jurisprudence exam.
Submit the RDA application with the $32.50 fee. Allow 4 to 6 weeks for processing.
After you are registered, take Board-approved certification courses (such as dental radiology or coronal polishing) and apply to add each certification to your registration.
Renew every two years and complete 24 hours of CE each two-year cycle.

Official application →

Training and exam

Training: Registration itself needs no schooling beyond high school or a GED. Each added duty needs Board-approved training: dental radiology, coronal polishing, nitrous oxide monitoring, sealants, and expanded restorative or prosthetic functions. Unless the course is part of the CODA-accredited or Board-approved program you attended, you must be registered before you take these courses in Tennessee. For radiology, passing the radiology portion of the DANB CDA exam or holding DANB CDA lets you apply without the Tennessee course.

Exam: RDA applicants must pass the Tennessee Board of Dentistry Ethics and Jurisprudence exam (Rule 0460-04-.02(10)). The rule does not state its format or passing score.

Practice for the dental assistant exam free — radiation safety, infection control, chairside skills and dental materials →

What it costs in Tennessee

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

RDA application fee + state regulatory fee(optional)$32.5
Renewal every two years (plus $10 state regulatory fee)(optional)$37.5
Criminal background check(optional)$
Certification courses (radiology, coronal polishing, etc.)(optional)$

Estimated total in Tennessee$0

Cost details from the state

Criminal background check through the state's vendor.
CPR course (in person, with manikin skills test).
Notary for the Declaration of Citizenship.
Board-approved certification courses (radiology, coronal polishing and others), priced by the provider.
Certification fees: the Board's fee rule lists $0.00, but the application instructions say there is a fee for each certification. Check with the Board.

Pay in Tennessee

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

How long it takes

The Board says to allow a minimum of 4 to 6 weeks for processing a complete application.

Keeping your credential

Renewal: Registration renews every two years ($37.50 plus the $10 state regulatory fee). You need 24 hours of Board-approved CE in each two-calendar-year cycle (January 1 of an odd year to December 31 of the next even year), including 2 hours on chemical dependency, and must keep a current CPR card at all times. The Jurisprudence exam must be completed every renewal cycle or the renewal cannot be approved. New registrants are exempt from CE during their first cycle. Certifications expire if your registration expires or is retired.

Good to know in Tennessee

Certifications ride on your registration: Radiology, coronal polishing and other certifications are only valid while your RDA registration is current. You may not do these procedures until the Board has added the certification to your registration.

Out-of-state courses: If you finished a radiology or coronal polishing course in another state, the Board consultant can accept it if it is equivalent. The course provider must send the curriculum and proof of completion directly to the Board.

Paperwork time limit: Every document must be dated less than one year before the Board receives it. If the Board sends a deficiency letter, you have 60 days to fix it or the file is closed.

Late renewal: If you do not renew on time, a $75 reinstatement fee applies on top of all current and past-due renewal fees.

Dentist must be present: Practical and registered dental assistants may work only under direct supervision; the statute does not allow them to practice without the dentist present in the office.

Sealant certification: Sealant certification uses its own application (PH-3871), and most applicants must also complete an externship (PH-4262) before the certification is added. RDA registration and certification applications can be filed online through LARS.

Sources

General information, not legal advice. Fees and rules change — confirm with Tennessee Board of Dentistry (Department of Health) before you apply.