COVID-19 Information and FAQs

Dental assistants and dental hygienists in California who have not been able to complete their RDA and RDH programs and therefore take the required examinations and obtain their licenses due to COVID-19 restrictions now have additional time to satisfy the exam requirements.

The Dental Board of California is exploring alternative ways for registered dental assistants in extended functions program to obtain licensure due to delayed examinations at multiple locations for reasons related to COVID-19.

California-licensed dentists, registered dental hygienists and registered dental assistants whose active licenses expire between March 31 and Oct. 31, 2020, now have until Feb. 27, 2021, to complete the continuing education courses and take and pass the examinations required for license renewal. 

The Dental Board of California has not altered the requirements related to how the required basic life support course is to be conducted and completed. A portion of the course may be completed online, but licensees must still complete a live, in-person skills practice session. 

The July issue of Journal of the California Dental Association focuses on dental licensure. Articles highlight the history of dental licensure in California, clinical competency assessments and more.

Graduating California dental school students today received news that WREB and ADEX manikin-based examinations will be accepted for licensure in the state effective immediately. 

In the latest positive development for California dental students graduating in the COVID-19 era, the Dental Board of California today voted unanimously to request a formal review of the legal defensibility of the new WREB and ADEX manikin-based examinations.