DANB CDA Exam 2026: Requirements, Format and Preparation
DANB CDA Exam 2026: Requirements, Format and Preparation
The Certified Dental Assistant, or CDA, is one of the principal certifications administered by the Dental Assisting National Board.
For dental assistants interested in pursuing the CDA, understanding eligibility, examination components and preparation is an important first step.
What Is the CDA?
The CDA consists of three DANB examination components:
Radiation Health and Safety
Infection Control
General Chairside Assisting
DANB currently lists the combined CDA examination at 245 questions with a 195-minute testing time and a 60-day testing window.
Candidates may also have options to take individual components or certain combinations, depending on eligibility and the applicable examination pathway.
Who Can Take the CDA?
DANB currently lists multiple eligibility pathways.
One pathway is available to graduates of CODA-accredited dental assisting or dental hygiene programs with current accepted CPR, BLS or ACLS certification.
Another pathway is available to candidates with a high school diploma or equivalent, at least 3,500 hours of approved dental assisting work experience and current accepted CPR, BLS or ACLS certification.
Additional pathways exist for certain dental professionals and students, including qualifying dental degree and post-baccalaureate candidates.
Candidates should check DANB's current requirements before applying.
How Should You Prepare?
Begin by studying the three CDA components separately.
Infection Control
Review sterilization, disinfection, PPE, instrument processing and infection-prevention procedures.
Radiation Health and Safety
Study radiation safety, dental radiography, equipment, positioning and image quality.
General Chairside
Review instruments, materials, restorative procedures, prosthodontics, endodontics, periodontics, oral surgery and patient management.
Use Practice Questions
Practice questions can reveal which components require additional preparation.
Candidates should keep a record of recurring mistakes.
If you repeatedly miss questions about dental materials, for example, devote additional study time to that subject.
CDA Preparation in NYC
New York City students can prepare through dental assisting education, independent study, practice materials or specialized DANB tutoring.
Tutoring can be particularly useful for candidates who understand the clinical material but need help organizing their preparation or reviewing specific subjects.
CDA and New York State
New York recognizes the DANB CDA examination as one pathway toward satisfying the examination requirement for Registered Dental Assistant licensure when the applicant meets DANB's eligibility requirements.
Candidates who do not meet DANB CDA eligibility but graduate from qualifying New York programs may follow a different state examination pathway.
Final Thoughts
The CDA is a broad examination, so preparation should be systematic.
Candidates should study all three components, use current DANB materials and practice applying their knowledge through examination questions.
Official resources:
DANB CDA Examination
New York State RDA Requirements
