Dental Assistant in Arizona

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for AZ. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.

Median annual salary

$49,000

trending_up +3.6% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Arizona.

engineering

7,480

Jobs (AZ)

monitoring Strong

+6.4%

10-yr job growth

payments

$325

Licensing fees

schedule

Varies

Time to complete

route How to become a dental assistant in Arizona

In Arizona, there is no state license required for basic dental assisting duties. However, to perform radiography, a dental assistant must obtain an Arizona Radiologic Proficiency Certificate from the Arizona State Board of Dental Examiners by passing the DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam. For coronal polishing, an Arizona Coronal Polishing Certificate is required, which involves passing the DANB Coronal Polish (CP) exam and submitting a clinical skills affidavit. Arizona also has a Universal Licensing Recognition pathway for individuals licensed in another US jurisdiction for at least one year who establish Arizona residency.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $39,010

25th percentile $44,790

50th (median) $49,000

75th percentile $57,760

90th (experienced) $60,480

Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Arizona. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.

checklist Arizona requirements

Licensing body	Arizona State Board of Dental Examiners
State license	Not required
Education	High school diploma or equivalent
Exam	DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam for radiography ($250)
Application fee	$75
Notes	Arizona does not license dental assistants for basic supportive procedures. However, to perform radiography, a dental assistant must pass the DANB RHS exam and apply to the Arizona State Board of Dental Examiners for a Radiography Certification. To perform coronal polishing, an assistant must pass the DANB Coronal Polish (CP) exam, submit a clinical skills affidavit, and receive an Arizona Coronal Polishing Certificate from DANB. There are no eligibility requirements for the DANB RHS and ICE exams. The DANB General Chairside Assisting (GC) exam, which is part of the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) certification, requires a minimum of 3,500 hours of dental assisting work experience accrued over at least two years. Arizona offers a Universal Licensing Recognition pathway for individuals licensed in another US jurisdiction for at least one year who establish Arizona residency.

Source: Arizona State Board of Dental Examiners

work_outline Job outlook

10-year growth

+6.4%

Faster than average

Annual openings

52,900

Nationwide per year

Total employment

381,900

Nationwide

neurology

AI & tech impact

verified Low exposure -0.53/1.00

This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.

hub

balance Is it worth it?

infoNo state license required — lower barrier but weaker signal
check_circleStrong 10-year job growth (+6.4%)
check_circleLow AI disruption risk

psychology

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Frequently asked questions

What are the steps to becoming a dental assistant in Arizona? expand_more

To become a dental assistant in Arizona, you need to complete the required education (High school diploma or equivalent), pass the DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam for radiography, and submit your application ($75 fee).

Is a state license required for dental assistants in Arizona? expand_more

No state license is needed to work as a dental assistant in Arizona. Note: Arizona does not license dental assistants for basic supportive procedures. However, to perform radiography, a dental assistant must pass the DANB RHS exam and apply to the Arizona State Board of Dental Examiners for a Radiography Certification. To perform coronal polishing, an assistant must pass the DANB Coronal Polish (CP) exam, submit a clinical skills affidavit, and receive an Arizona Coronal Polishing Certificate from DANB. There are no eligibility requirements for the DANB RHS and ICE exams. The DANB General Chairside Assisting (GC) exam, which is part of the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) certification, requires a minimum of 3,500 hours of dental assisting work experience accrued over at least two years. Arizona offers a Universal Licensing Recognition pathway for individuals licensed in another US jurisdiction for at least one year who establish Arizona residency.

What do dental assistants earn in Arizona? expand_more

dental assistants in Arizona earn a median of $49,000 annually. — within a few percent of the $47,300 national figure. Wages range from $39,010 (10th percentile) up to $60,480 (90th percentile).

What's the total cost to get dental assistant certified in Arizona? expand_more

Plan on spending varies total — that covers exam fee ($250) and application fee ($75) plus your education and training.

How long does it take to become a dental assistant in Arizona? expand_more

Expect to spend Varies from start to finish in Arizona — covering coursework, supervised experience, and examination.