Welcome to the Dental Board of California

Registered Dental Assistants and Registered Dental Assistants in Extended Functions

Renewal of Licenses

Each Registered Dental Assistant and Registered Dental Assistant in Extended Functions must renew their license every two years by the last day of the month of their birthday.

As a courtesy, renewal notices are sent about 60 days prior to expiration, but the licensee is ultimately responsible for renewing his or her license.

IT IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE TO PERFORM LICENSED DUTIES WITH AN EXPIRED, CANCELLED, OR INACTIVE LICENSE!

You can request a replacement pocket card by contacting the Board.

The status of a particular license (but not the status of applicants until they are actually licensed) can also be checked on the internet by visiting our license status web page.

As of October 2007, the two-year renewal fee is $70. If the required renewal fee is not postmarked on or before the date of expiration, the license is expired. If the license is renewed more than 30 days after its expiration, a $35 delinquency fee will be required before the license will be renewed.

Dishonored checks will be charged a $25 fee, which must also be submitted before the license will be renewed.

On the renewal form, the licensee must certify, under penalty of perjury, the completion of 25 continuing education units during the prior two years. NO continuing education units are required for the first renewal period. For more information about the continuing education requirements, go to the Continuing Education section below.

Expired and Cancelled Licenses

A license that has expired can only be renewed by payment of the required renewal fees and delinquency fees for each renewal period.

A license that has been expired for more than five years is automatically cancelled, and cannot be renewed. The holder of a cancelled certificate must either apply for a new license, and pass the associated examination(s), or petition the Dental Board, for the Issuance of a New License to Replace a Cancelled License.

Contact db_licensing@dca.ca.gov for the procedures involved in this process.

Inactive Licenses

A licensee can place their license on inactive status, which means that he or she must continue to pay their renewal fee, but is not required to complete the required continuing education requirements. A license can be renewed with an inactive status indefinitely.

Activate Licenses

To activate an inactive license at the time of renewal, a licensee must have completed the required CE within the prior two-year renewal period, attach copies of all CE taken within 2 year of the request to activate the license, complete the Inactive/Active Form and send all documents to the Dental Board with the required renewal fee.

To activate an inactive license at any other time during the renewal cycle, a licensee must complete the Inactive/Active Form and attach copies of all CE taken within 2 year of the request to activate the license, return the actual green inactive license, and attach the $25 fee to print the new active license.

Disabled Licensees

A licensee who has not practiced in California for more than one year because he or she is disabled is not required to comply with the continuing education requirements during the renewal period within which such disability falls. However, the licensee must pay the required renewal fee.

The licensee must certify that he or she is eligible for a waiver of the continuing education requirements due to a disability, by submitting a statement from their medical provider that includes the dates of the disability. The licensee must also provide a statement that he or she did not practice as a licensed auxiliary during the period of the disability.

Duplicate Licenses

There is a charge of $25 for a duplicate pocket license, and an additional $25 charge for a duplicate wall license.

Your request must be submitted in writing with the form, appropriate fees, and your existing pocket license and/or wall license, as appropriate, or provide a statement signed under penalty of perjury that it has been lost, stolen, or misplaced.

If you are requesting a name change at the same time, you must submit the form, appropriate documentation, such as a marriage license, divorce decree, or court order, showing the name change.

License Certifications

For a letter certifying an auxiliary's license status, commonly referred to as a "license certification," the request must be submitted in writing, with a $25 fee.

Address Changes

You may change your address by writing to the Dental Board at 2005 Evergreen Street, Suite 1550, Sacramento, CA 95815.

Name Changes

To request a name change, you must submit a form, appropriate documentation, such as a court order, showing the name change.

If you also wish to receive a new pocket identification card or wall certificate reflecting the name change, you must follow the procedures above for "Duplicate Licenses." If you wish to simply wait for your next renewal pocket identification card to be issued to avoid the $25 charge, you may do so. Simply send the name change documentation with your renewal statement and fee at your next renewal.

Required and Prohibited Licensee Conduct

Visit our Acts and Conduct web page for information on the acts and conduct which auxiliaries are required to perform.