Dental Assistant in New Mexico

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

Median annual salary

$38,840

trending_down -17.9% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, New Mexico.

engineering

2,010

Jobs (NM)

monitoring Strong

+6.4%

10-yr job growth

payments

$320

Licensing fees

schedule

Varies

Time to complete

route How to become a dental assistant in New Mexico

To become a certified Dental Assistant in New Mexico for expanded functions, individuals must meet specific education and examination requirements set by the New Mexico Board of Dental Health Care. While a state license isn't required for basic duties, certification is necessary for expanded functions like radiography, coronal polishing, and sealant application. Candidates typically complete board-approved courses, pass relevant DANB exams (such as the Radiation Health and Safety exam), and may need to complete an apprenticeship and a jurisprudence exam, especially for an Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary (EFDA) certification. New Mexico offers reciprocity for those with current expanded function certifications from other states with comparable requirements, and holding a DANB CDA can also facilitate certification for certain expanded functions.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $34,620

25th percentile $36,700

50th (median) $38,840

75th percentile $45,900

90th (experienced) $54,290

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

checklist New Mexico requirements

Licensing body	New Mexico Board of Dental Health Care
State license	Not required
Education	Board-approved courses for expanded functions, or five years of continuous employment (1,000 hours/year) with specified courses and supervising dentist recommendation for EFDA certification. Holding a current DANB Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) certification can also qualify for certain expanded functions.
Experience	2,080.0 hours
Exam	DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) for radiography ($270)
Application fee	$50
Renewal	Every 3.0 years
Continuing education	30.0 hours per cycle
Notes	New Mexico does not license dental assistants for basic duties. Certification is required for expanded functions such as radiography, coronal polishing, and sealant application, each with specific education and exam requirements. An Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary (EFDA) certification requires additional education, a regional board exam, a jurisprudence exam, and an apprenticeship. CPR certification is also required for renewal. There is no specified minimum age.

Source: New Mexico Board of Dental Health Care

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

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.

arrow_forward

Frequently asked questions

How do you get certified as a dental assistant in New Mexico? expand_more

The path to dental assistant licensure in New Mexico: complete the required education (Board-approved courses for expanded functions, or five years of continuous employment (1,000 hours/year) with specified courses and supervising dentist recommendation for EFDA certification. Holding a current DANB Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) certification can also qualify for certain expanded functions.), gain 2,080.0 hours of supervised experience, pass the DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) for radiography, and submit your application ($50 fee).

Do I need a license to work as a dental assistant in New Mexico? expand_more

New Mexico does not require a state license for dental assistants. Note: New Mexico does not license dental assistants for basic duties. Certification is required for expanded functions such as radiography, coronal polishing, and sealant application, each with specific education and exam requirements. An Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary (EFDA) certification requires additional education, a regional board exam, a jurisprudence exam, and an apprenticeship. CPR certification is also required for renewal. There is no specified minimum age.

How much does a dental assistant make in New Mexico? expand_more

New Mexico dental assistants bring home a median salary of $38,840. That's 18% below the national median of $47,300. Wages range from $34,620 (10th percentile) up to $54,290 (90th percentile).

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

Plan on spending varies total — that covers exam fee ($270) and application fee ($50) plus your education and training.

What's the timeline to become a dental assistant in New Mexico? expand_more

In New Mexico, becoming a dental assistant generally takes Varies, accounting for education requirements, hands-on training, and the exam process.

Does New Mexico require continuing education for dental assistants? expand_more

Yes — dental assistants in New Mexico must complete 30.0 CE hours every 3.0 years to stay licensed.