How to Become a Dental Assistant in Utah

Checked against Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL) and the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Licensing Board · Verified 2026-10-16

Exam: Not required
Training: Not required
Term: See state office
State fee: See state office
Regulated by: Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL) and the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Licensing Board

Take the free dental assistant practice test →

Who can apply

Utah does not license or register basic dental assistants. Rules set what they may and may not do (Utah Admin. Code R156-69-803a, formerly R156-69-603; renumbered effective July 8, 2026).
A dental assistant may not work without a current CPR or BCLS certification.
To expose x-rays, a dental assistant must complete a CODA-accredited dental assisting course, or pass the DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam or a Board-approved radiology exam.
A dental assistant may never diagnose, cut tissue, extract teeth, give injections, start IV lines, or do subgingival instrumentation.

Step by step

Get a current CPR or BCLS certification before you start work.
Start work under a Utah dentist. No state license or registration is needed.
Before taking x-rays, finish a CODA-accredited dental assisting course or pass the DANB RHS exam or a Board-approved radiology exam.
Keep proof of your CPR card and radiology qualification for your employer.

Training and exam

Training: No training is required for basic duties. To take x-rays you need a CODA-accredited dental assisting course, or to pass the DANB RHS exam or a Board-approved radiology exam. A Board-approved radiology course must cover 11 topics, including radiation physics, patient and operator protection, radiation biology, intraoral and extraoral technique, processing and chemical disposal, infection control, and portable and handheld x-ray devices (R156-69-803b, formerly R156-69-604).

Exam: There is no state exam to work as a dental assistant. To take x-rays without a CODA-accredited course, you must pass the DANB RHS exam or a Board-approved radiology exam.

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

What it costs in Utah

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

CPR or BCLS course$
DANB RHS exam or Board-approved radiology course (to take x-rays)(optional)$

Estimated total in Utah$0Plus 1 item with no state-set price. Add your quotes above to complete the total.

Cost details from the state

CPR or BCLS course.
DANB RHS exam or a Board-approved radiology course and exam, priced by the provider.

Keeping your credential

Renewal: There is no state registration to renew. You must keep your CPR or BCLS certification current to keep working.

Good to know in Utah

Coronal polishing: A dental assistant may polish teeth coronally with a rubber cup. Otherwise they may not remove stains, deposits or accretions, or use a rotary instrument in the mouth.

Nitrous oxide: A dental assistant may not start nitrous oxide for a patient except under the direct supervision of a dentist with the right permit who has set and documented the patient's baseline percentage and flow rate.

New expanded function certifications: A 2025 law (Utah Code 58-69-808) created certifications that let dental assistants place direct restorations and remove coronal dental adhesive under a dentist's indirect supervision. The implementing rule amendment (R156-69, filing 57975) took effect July 8, 2026. Both certifications require at least 3,500 hours of dental assisting in the last six years and current CPR or BLS. Direct restorations also need an approved program of at least 172 hours (CODA-accredited, DANB-recognized or Division-approved) and a written and clinical exam (R156-69-808b); coronal adhesive removal needs an approved program of at least 22 hours (R156-69-808c). DOPL says application forms are still being prepared, so check DOPL before applying.

Other limits: A dental assistant may not place, carve or finish restorations (without the new certification), do final cementation, move teeth with appliance adjustments, adjust permanent prosthetics, or decide on drugs or doses.

Sources

General information, not legal advice. Fees and rules change — confirm with Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL) and the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Licensing Board before you apply.