CDA Practice Test

To earn the CDA certification, candidates must pass three separate component exams. These exams can be taken individually or all together as the full CDA exam:

• General Chairside Assisting (GC): Covers chairside procedures, patient management, and professional responsibility.
• Infection Control (ICE): Tests knowledge of infection control principles and practices in a dental setting.
• Radiation Health and Safety (RHS): Assesses understanding of dental radiography and safety measures.

The CDA exam components are computer-based tests consisting of multiple-choice questions. The total number of questions for the full CDA exam is approximately 320, broken down as follows:

• GC: Approximately 120 questions
• RHS: Approximately 100 questions
• ICE: Approximately 100 questions

DANB offers different eligibility pathways for candidates. The two main pathways for the full CDA exam are:

• Pathway I: Graduation from a dental assisting or dental hygiene program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) and current CPR certification.
• Pathway II: A high school diploma or equivalent and a minimum of 3,500 hours of approved work experience as a dental assistant accrued over a continuous two- to four-year period and current CPR certification.

You must apply for the exam directly through the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) website. After your application is approved, you will receive an email with an authorization-to-test (ATT) letter. You can then use this ATT to schedule your exam at a convenient Pearson VUE test center location.

Thorough preparation is key. We recommend:

• Using official DANB study resources and practice tests.
• Reviewing textbooks from your dental assisting program.
• Forming a study group with peers.
• Taking Prephow CDA practice tests to identify your strengths and weaknesses.

The DANB CDA certification is valid for one year and must be renewed annually. To qualify for annual renewal, you must:

• Maintain current certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) from a DANB-accepted provider.
• Complete a total of 12 continuing dental education (CDE) credits, which must include a minimum number of credits in infection control and OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard.

No, the requirements for dental assistants vary by state. Some states require the CDA certification for all dental assistants, while others may only require a passing score on one or two components (like RHS or ICE) to perform specific functions. However, the CDA is widely recognized by 38 states and is often preferred by employers across the country.