Dental Assistant in Ohio
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for OH. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.
BLS OEWS 2024, Ohio.
Jobs (OH)
10-yr job growth
Time to complete
route How to become a dental assistant in Ohio
To become a dental assistant in Ohio, basic assistants do not require a state license. However, to perform radiography, individuals must obtain a Dental Assistant Radiographer certificate from the Ohio State Dental Board by completing a Board-approved training program and passing a post-course assessment. To perform expanded functions, one must register as an Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary (EFDA) with the Ohio State Dental Board, which involves completing an ADA CODA or HLC accredited program, passing the Commission on Dental Testing in Ohio EFDA exam, and holding current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification. Ohio offers reciprocity for Dental Assistant Radiographers and EFDAs licensed or certified in other states, provided certain criteria regarding the similarity of qualifications and good standing are met.
bar_chart Salary percentiles
Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Ohio. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.
checklist Ohio requirements
| Licensing body | Ohio State Dental Board |
| State license | Not required |
| Education | For Expanded Function Dental Auxiliaries (EFDA), completion of an ADA CODA or HLC accredited program is required. For Dental Assistant Radiographers, completion of a Board-approved dental radiography training program is required. |
| Exam | For Expanded Function Dental Auxiliaries (EFDA): Commission on Dental Testing in Ohio EFDA exam or another Board-accepted competency exam. For Dental Assistant Radiographers: Post-course assessment from a Board-approved radiography training program. |
| Renewal | Every 2.0 years |
| Notes | Ohio does not license basic dental assistants. Certification is required for specific functions. To perform radiography, a state certificate as a Dental X-Ray Machine Operator is required. To perform expanded functions, an assistant must register as an Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary (EFDA) by meeting education, examination, and other requirements, including current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification. Most EFDA programs require DANB CDA, Ohio CDA, or Ohio RDH certification, or two years of office experience for admission. Background checks are required for initial applications for Dental Assistant Radiographer and EFDA. |
Source: Ohio State Dental Board
workspace_premium Ohio license tiers
Ohio offers multiple tiers of dental assistant licensing:
| Tier | Hours required |
|---|---|
| Basic Qualified Personnel (BQP) | N/A |
| Certified Assistant (CA) | N/A |
| Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary (EFDA) | N/A |
work_outline Job outlook
AI & tech impact
This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.
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