Dental Assistant in Texas
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for TX. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.
BLS OEWS 2024, Texas.
Jobs (TX)
10-yr job growth
Licensing fees
Time to complete
route How to become a dental assistant in Texas
To become a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) in Texas, candidates must register with the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (TSBDE). Key steps include having a high school diploma or GED, completing a TSBDE-approved dental assistant registration course, and holding a current hands-on Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR certification. Applicants must pass a TSBDE-approved dental assistant registration exam (covering Jurisprudence, Infection Control, and Radiology) or hold a current Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) certification and pass the TSBDE Jurisprudence Assessment. Additionally, a criminal background check, completion of a human trafficking prevention course, and a National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) self-query report are required. Texas does not offer reciprocity for dental assistant licenses from other states.
bar_chart Salary percentiles
Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Texas. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.
checklist Texas requirements
| Licensing body | Texas State Board of Dental Examiners |
| State license | Required |
| Education | High school diploma or GED, completion of a TSBDE-approved dental assistant registration course, and a current hands-on Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR certification. |
| Exam | TSBDE-approved dental assistant registration exam (covering Jurisprudence, Infection Control, and Radiology) OR DANB CDA exam plus TSBDE Jurisprudence Assessment. |
| Application fee | $39 |
| Renewal | Every 2.0 years |
| Continuing education | 12.0 hours per cycle |
| Reciprocity | Texas does not have reciprocity; out-of-state applicants must meet state-specific requirements, including a jurisprudence exam.Reciprocal states: Texas does not have reciprocity with other states for dental assistant licenses. Individuals with out-of-state credentials or DANB certification must still meet Texas-specific requirements, including passing the TSBDE Jurisprudence Assessment if qualifying via DANB. |
| Notes | All dental assistants must be registered with the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (TSBDE) to perform duties like taking X-rays. Separate certifications are required for specific expanded duties such as coronal polishing, sealant placement, and nitrous oxide monitoring. Applicants must be at least 18 years old, submit fingerprints for a criminal background check, and complete a human trafficking prevention course approved by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. A National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) self-query report is also required. |
Source: Texas State Board of Dental Examiners
Already licensed elsewhere and moving to Texas? See whether Texas recognizes an out-of-state credential — with the tier and pathway for all 50 states — in our Dental Assistant license reciprocity guide.
workspace_premium Texas license tiers
Texas offers multiple tiers of dental assistant licensing:
| Tier | Hours required |
|---|---|
| Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) | 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?
- check_circleTexas license required — clearer credential signal to employers
- check_circleStrong 10-year job growth (+6.4%)
- check_circleLow AI disruption risk
Compare Dental Assistant head-to-head
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