Dental Assistant in Virginia

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

Median annual salary

$46,910

trending_down -0.8% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Virginia.

engineering

11,040

Jobs (VA)

monitoring Strong

+6.4%

10-yr job growth

payments

$100

Licensing fees

schedule

Varies

Time to complete

route How to become a dental assistant in Virginia

To become a Dental Assistant in Virginia, individuals can pursue two paths: Dental Assistant I or Dental Assistant II. Dental Assistant I roles have no specific education requirements, but those performing X-rays must complete a board-approved radiation safety course. To become a registered Dental Assistant II, applicants need current DANB Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) certification or equivalent, and must complete a CODA-accredited expanded function dental assisting training program. Renewal for Dental Assistant IIs is annual and requires maintaining DANB certification (12 CE hours) and current hands-on CPR certification. Reciprocity for DA IIs is possible with substantially equivalent qualifications or documented experience in expanded duties from another state. The Virginia Board of Dentistry oversees these requirements.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $37,670

25th percentile $42,190

50th (median) $46,910

75th percentile $54,650

90th (experienced) $59,920

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

checklist Virginia requirements

Licensing body	Virginia Board of Dentistry
State license	Not required
Education	For Dental Assistant I: No specific education or training requirements, but must complete a board-approved radiation safety course to take x-rays. For Dental Assistant II: Current DANB Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) certification or certification from another ADA-recognized national credentialing organization, AND completion of a CODA-accredited expanded function dental assisting training program.
Exam	For Dental Assistant II: DANB Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) exam or other ADA-recognized national credentialing exam. For radiation certification: DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam, ARRT certification, or a CODA-accredited radiation safety course and exam.
Application fee	$100
Renewal	Every 1.0 year
Continuing education	12.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Virginia recognizes two levels of dental assistants: Dental Assistant I (DA I) and Dental Assistant II (DA II). DA I has no specific education or training requirements, but must complete a board-approved radiation safety course to take x-rays. DA IIs are registered and can perform reversible, intraoral procedures under direct supervision. To renew registration, DA IIs must maintain DANB certification (which requires 12 CE credits annually) and current hands-on CPR certification. All dental assistants who place dental restorations must be registered as either a DA I or DA II. Registration as a DA I is required to take x-rays.

Source: Virginia Board of Dentistry

workspace_premium Virginia license tiers

Virginia offers multiple tiers of dental assistant licensing:

Tier	Hours required
Dental Assistant I (DA I)	N/A
Dental Assistant II (DA II)	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?

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 Virginia? expand_more

In Virginia, becoming a dental assistant requires you to complete the required education (For Dental Assistant I: No specific education or training requirements, but must complete a board-approved radiation safety course to take x-rays. For Dental Assistant II: Current DANB Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) certification or certification from another ADA-recognized national credentialing organization, AND completion of a CODA-accredited expanded function dental assisting training program.), pass the For Dental Assistant II: DANB Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) exam or other ADA-recognized national credentialing exam. For radiation certification: DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam, ARRT certification, or a CODA-accredited radiation safety course and exam., and submit your application ($100 fee).

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

No state license is needed to work as a dental assistant in Virginia. Note: Virginia recognizes two levels of dental assistants: Dental Assistant I (DA I) and Dental Assistant II (DA II). DA I has no specific education or training requirements, but must complete a board-approved radiation safety course to take x-rays. DA IIs are registered and can perform reversible, intraoral procedures under direct supervision. To renew registration, DA IIs must maintain DANB certification (which requires 12 CE credits annually) and current hands-on CPR certification. All dental assistants who place dental restorations must be registered as either a DA I or DA II. Registration as a DA I is required to take x-rays.

What is the average dental assistant salary in Virginia? expand_more

In Virginia, the median pay for dental assistants comes to $46,910/year. — within a few percent of the $47,300 national figure. Entry-level (10th percentile) starts at $37,670, while experienced professionals (90th percentile) earn $59,920.

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

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

What are the continuing education requirements for dental assistants in Virginia? expand_more

Yes — dental assistants in Virginia must complete 12.0 CE hours every 1.0 year to stay licensed.