Dental Assistant in New Jersey

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

Median annual salary

$48,070

trending_up +1.6% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, New Jersey.

engineering

10,660

Jobs (NJ)

monitoring Strong

+6.4%

10-yr job growth

payments

$485

Licensing fees

schedule

9-24 months

Time to complete

route How to become a dental assistant in New Jersey

To become a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) in New Jersey, applicants must be licensed by the New Jersey State Board of Dentistry. Key steps include graduating from a CODA-accredited dental assisting program and passing the DANB Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) exam and the NJ Jurisprudence exam, or fulfilling specific experience and expanded functions exam requirements. A criminal history background check is mandatory, and a separate license is needed for dental radiography. Continuing education of 10 hours every two years is required for renewal.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $37,040

25th percentile $44,540

50th (median) $48,070

75th percentile $59,870

90th (experienced) $62,190

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

checklist New Jersey requirements

Licensing body	New Jersey State Board of Dentistry
State license	Required
Education	Graduation from a CODA-accredited dental assisting program within the last 10 years AND passing the DANB Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) exam within 10 years prior to application; OR two years of work experience as a dental assistant within five years from the date of application AND passing the DANB Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) exam within 10 years prior to application AND successful completion of a Board-approved expanded functions program AND passing the New Jersey Expanded Functions Examination administered by DANB; OR two years of work experience as a dental assistant within five years from the date of application AND passing the DANB Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) exam within 10 years prior to application AND passing the New Jersey Expanded Functions Examination administered by DANB.
Exam	DANB Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) exam (all 3 parts) AND NJ Jurisprudence exam AND, if applying via the experience pathway, the DANB New Jersey Expanded Functions Examination. ($450)
Application fee	$35
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	10.0 hours per cycle
Notes	A criminal history background check is required. A separate license as a Dental Radiologic Technologist (DRT) is required to perform dental radiography, which involves being at least 18 years old, having a high school diploma or equivalent, completing a New Jersey State-approved dental radiography course, and passing the DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam within five years prior to application. No more than 5 of the 10 required CE hours may be obtained through written or electronic media distance learning courses. Live, interactive webinars are considered in-person sessions.

Source: New Jersey State Board of Dentistry

workspace_premium New Jersey license tiers

New Jersey offers multiple tiers of dental assistant licensing:

Tier	Hours required
Registered Dental Assistant (RDA)	N/A

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?

check_circleNew Jersey license required — clearer credential signal to employers
check_circleStrong 10-year job growth (+6.4%)
check_circleLow AI disruption risk

psychology

Wondering if a dental assistant career is the right fit?

See what the day actually looks like, who the role suits, and who should skip it — grounded in real practitioner sources.

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Frequently asked questions

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

To become a dental assistant in New Jersey, you need to complete the required education (Graduation from a CODA-accredited dental assisting program within the last 10 years AND passing the DANB Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) exam within 10 years prior to application; OR two years of work experience as a dental assistant within five years from the date of application AND passing the DANB Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) exam within 10 years prior to application AND successful completion of a Board-approved expanded functions program AND passing the New Jersey Expanded Functions Examination administered by DANB; OR two years of work experience as a dental assistant within five years from the date of application AND passing the DANB Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) exam within 10 years prior to application AND passing the New Jersey Expanded Functions Examination administered by DANB.), pass the DANB Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) exam (all 3 parts) AND NJ Jurisprudence exam AND, if applying via the experience pathway, the DANB New Jersey Expanded Functions Examination., and submit your application ($35 fee).

Is a dental assistant license required in New Jersey? expand_more

New Jersey mandates state licensure for dental assistants. New Jersey State Board of Dentistry oversees the process, which includes passing the DANB Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) exam (all 3 parts) AND NJ Jurisprudence exam AND, if applying via the experience pathway, the DANB New Jersey Expanded Functions Examination..

How much do dental assistants make in New Jersey? expand_more

dental assistants in New Jersey earn a median of $48,070 annually. — within a few percent of the $47,300 national figure. The range spans from $37,040 at the entry level to $62,190 for top earners.

How much does it cost to become a dental assistant in New Jersey? expand_more

The full cost to enter the field runs about varies, factoring in exam fee ($450) and application fee ($35) and required training.

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

In New Jersey, becoming a dental assistant generally takes 9-24 months, accounting for education requirements, hands-on training, and the exam process.

What's required to renew a dental assistant license in New Jersey? expand_more

Yes — dental assistants in New Jersey must complete 10.0 CE hours every 2.0 years to stay licensed.