News and Information for the Dental Assisting Community
January 1, 2025: New Law Establishes Time Limits on Dental Assisting Certification Requirements to Apply for Licensure as a Registered Dental Assistant
Senate Bill 1453 was signed into law on September 22, 2024, with sections of the Bill becoming effective on January 1 and others on July 1, 2025. Most notably, the Dental Board included the following new time limits on certifications submitted to the Board with an application for licensure as a Registered Dental Assistant. The following are the new criteria for certifications and the acceptable time limits:
Board-approved Radiation Safety certification course consisting of at least 32 hours (completed within 10 years prior to the date of receipt of the application by the board).
Board-approved Coronal Polishing certification course consisting of at least 12 hours (completed within 5 years prior to the date of receipt of the application by the board).
Board-approved Pit and Fissure Sealants certification course consisting of at least 16 hours (completed within 5 years prior to the date of receipt of the application by the board).
California Dental Practice Act: completion of a two-hour continuing education course from a board-approved CE provider in the subject area (completed within 2 years prior to the date of receipt of the application by the board).
Board-approved Infection Control certification course consisting of at least 8 hours (completed within 2 years prior to the date of receipt of the application by the board).
Proof of current certification in a Basic Life Support course through the American Red Cross, the American Heart Association, the American Safety and Health Institute, the American Dental Association's Continuing Education Provider Recognition (CERP) program, or the Academy of General Dentistry's Program Approval for Continuing Education (PACE).