Licensing guide · British Columbia

How to Become a Certified Dental Assistant in British Columbia

Last checked 3 sources checkedNOC 33100

Do you need a licence?

Licence required

You must be registered with the BC College of Oral Health Professionals of BC to work as a certified dental assistant in British Columbia or to use a protected title.

Protected titles
Not listed in the sources checked
Show the source
“Oral health professionals (licensed dental assistants, dental hygienists, dental technicians, dental therapists, dentists and denturists) must be licensed with BCCOHP to practise in British Columbia.”

From oralhealthbc.ca/licensure, checked October 10, 2026.

At a glance

Licence status
Licence required See the source
Routes
Annual fees
Not stated by the regulator Check with BCCOHP

Your roadmap

Every route is listed. Follow the one that matches where you trained.

Trained in Canada

  • 7 steps without a listed fee

  1. Graduate from an accredited dental assisting program in BC.

    Source
    “Graduates of an accredited dental assisting program in BC who have successfully completed the National Dental Assisting Examining Board (NDAEB) written exam are eligible for licence with BCCOHP.”
    oralhealthbc.ca/licensure/licensure-renewal-lda/lda-initial-licence

  2. Successfully complete the National Dental Assisting Examining Board written exam.

    Source
    “Graduates of an accredited dental assisting program in BC who have successfully completed the National Dental Assisting Examining Board (NDAEB) written exam are eligible for licence with BCCOHP.”
    oralhealthbc.ca/licensure/licensure-renewal-lda/lda-initial-licence

  3. Log in to the online application and submit the required contact, education, NDAEB and identification information.

    Source
    “This online application process will allow you to open a web account and submit the required information for your licensing process with BCCOHP.”
    oralhealthbc.ca/licensure/licensure-renewal-lda/lda-initial-licence

  4. Pay the non-refundable application and criminal record check fees after completing the application forms.

    Source
    “Once the application information forms have been completed, you will be prompted to pay the application and criminal record check fees (non-refundable).”
    oralhealthbc.ca/licensure/licensure-renewal-lda/lda-initial-licence

  5. Submit notarized identification, education and NDAEB documents along with any required Certificates or Letters of Standing.

    Source
    “Notarized Photo Identification Notarization form, along with notarized photocopy of two pieces of photo ID (one primary and one secondary, or two primary)”
    oralhealthbc.ca/licensure/licensure-renewal-lda/lda-initial-licence

  6. After all required documents are received, log in to your account and pay the licence fee.

    Source
    “Once all the required documents are received and your application is ready to be finalized, you will receive an email notification to make your final payment. You will need to log in to your account and pay for the licence fee.”
    oralhealthbc.ca/licensure/licensure-renewal-lda/lda-initial-licence

  7. Receive confirmation of your licence once the process is complete.

    Source
    “Step 6: Licence confirmation”
    oralhealthbc.ca/licensure/licensure-renewal-lda/lda-initial-licence

Listed fees for this route

No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with BCCOHP

7 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.

Official page for this route

Licensed in another province

  • 4 steps without a listed fee

  1. If you are currently licensed or certified in another Canadian jurisdiction, complete the Assessment Package for Labour Mobility.

    Source
    “If you are currently licensed or certified in another Canadian jurisdiction please complete the Assessment Package for Labour Mobility.”
    oralhealthbc.ca/licensure/licensure-renewal-lda/lda-licensure-info

  2. Wait for BCCOHP to assess your credentials to determine eligibility.

    Source
    “Dental assistants from outside of British Columbia may be eligible for BCCOHP certification pending an assessment of your credentials.”
    oralhealthbc.ca/licensure/licensure-renewal-lda/lda-licensure-info

  3. Obtain a Certificate of Standing from the other Canadian jurisdiction where you are or were licensed or certified.

    Source
    “If you are currently or have previously been licensed or certified in another Canadian jurisdiction, BCCOHP requires a Certificate of Standing from that jurisdiction for your application for LDA Licence.”
    oralhealthbc.ca/licensure/licensure-renewal-lda/lda-licensure-info

  4. After the assessment process and once eligibility has been determined, apply for the licensed dental assistant licence.

    Source
    “After the assessment process, and once your eligibility has been determined, you will need to apply for licensed dental assistant licence.”
    oralhealthbc.ca/licensure/licensure-renewal-lda/lda-licensure-info

Listed fees for this route

No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with BCCOHP

4 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.

Official page for this route

Trained outside Canada

  • 4 steps without a listed fee

  1. Be an internationally-trained dental healthcare professional who holds a National Dental Assisting Examining Board certificate.

    Source
    “Graduates of dental assisting programs in the United States and/or internationally-trained dental healthcare professionals who have National Dental Assisting Examining Board (NDAEB) certificate may be eligible for BCCOHP certification pending an assessment of your credentials.”
    oralhealthbc.ca/licensure/licensure-renewal-lda/lda-licensure-info

  2. Complete and submit the Assessment Application Package.

    Source
    “Please complete and submit the Assessment Application Package (PDF).”
    oralhealthbc.ca/licensure/licensure-renewal-lda/lda-licensure-info

  3. Wait for BCCOHP to assess your credentials to determine eligibility for certification.

    Source
    “Graduates of dental assisting programs in the United States and/or internationally-trained dental healthcare professionals who have National Dental Assisting Examining Board (NDAEB) certificate may be eligible for BCCOHP certification pending an assessment of your credentials.”
    oralhealthbc.ca/licensure/licensure-renewal-lda/lda-licensure-info

  4. Once eligibility has been determined, apply for the licensed dental assistant licence.

    Source
    “After the assessment process, and once your eligibility has been determined, you will need to apply for licensed dental assistant licence.”
    oralhealthbc.ca/licensure/licensure-renewal-lda/lda-licensure-info

Listed fees for this route

No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with BCCOHP

4 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.

Official page for this route

Other listed fees

The regulator lists these without tying them to one step, so they are not in the route totals above. Check which apply to you.

Requirements

Conditions the regulator sets on top of the roadmap steps.

Education

  • Applicants must have graduated from a level II dental assisting program from an accredited program and hold an NDAEB Certificate.

    Source
    “This licence category is for individuals who have graduated from a level II dental assisting program from an accredited program and have a NDAEB Certificate.”
    oralhealthbc.ca/licensure/licensure-renewal-lda/lda-initial-licence

Police check

  • Applicants must undergo a criminal record check process conducted by the Ministry of Public Safety & Solicitor General as part of the application.

    Source
    “As part of the application process, applicants will have to undergo a criminal record check (CRC) process conducted by the Ministry of Public Safety & Solicitor General.”
    oralhealthbc.ca/licensure/licensure-renewal-lda/lda-initial-licence

Already licensed in another province?

Extra steps

Licensed dental assistants from another Canadian jurisdiction recognized under the Canadian Free Trade Agreement must apply for an assessment of their credentials and provide a Certificate of Standing before applying for a BC licence.

Source
“Licensed dental assistants licensed or certified in another Canadian jurisdiction recognized under the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA), are eligible to apply for an assessment to practice in British Columbia. All information required for assessment are noted in the application instructions and forms.”
oralhealthbc.ca/licensure/licensure-renewal-lda/lda-licensure-info

  1. Complete labour mobility assessment

    Source
    “Licensed dental assistants licensed or certified in another Canadian jurisdiction recognized under the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA), are eligible to apply for an assessment to practice in British Columbia.”
    oralhealthbc.ca/licensure/licensure-renewal-lda/lda-licensure-info

  2. Provide Certificate of Standing

    Source
    “If you are currently or have previously been licensed or certified in another Canadian jurisdiction, BCCOHP requires a Certificate of Standing from that jurisdiction for your application for LDA Licence.”
    oralhealthbc.ca/licensure/licensure-renewal-lda/lda-licensure-info

Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with BCCOHP

Check a move between two provinces

Credential assessment

  • Assessment Package for Labour Mobility

    For dental assistants currently licensed or certified in another Canadian jurisdiction to have their credentials assessed for eligibility in BC.

    Source
    “If you are currently licensed or certified in another Canadian jurisdiction please complete the Assessment Package for Labour Mobility.”
    oralhealthbc.ca/licensure/licensure-renewal-lda/lda-licensure-info

  • Assessment Package

    For dental assistants not licensed or certified in another Canadian jurisdiction to have their credentials assessed for eligibility in BC.

    Source
    “If you are not licensed or certified in another Canadian jurisdiction please complete the Assessment Package.”
    oralhealthbc.ca/licensure/licensure-renewal-lda/lda-licensure-info

Exams

Language tests

Not stated by the regulator Check with BCCOHP

Compare scores across provinces and professions

Canadian experience

Not stated by the regulator Check with BCCOHP

Supervised practice

Not stated by the regulator Check with BCCOHP

Demand and pay

Job Bank figures for NOC 33100, Dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants. Wages for 2023-2024 in Canadian dollars an hour; outlook for 2025-2027.

Job Bank wages and outlook in British Columbia and Canada
WhereLowMedianHighOutlook
British Columbia $24.00 $31.00 $36.00 Moderate (3 of 5)
Canada $21.00 $27.00 $35.00 —

Wages by region and job outlook in British Columbia

Wages in every province and territory

Certified dental assistants in other provinces and territories

Regulated in 0 of the other 12 jurisdictions checked so far. The rules differ from one place to the next.

  • Alberta Not confirmed yet
  • Saskatchewan Not confirmed yet
  • Manitoba Not confirmed yet
  • Ontario Not confirmed yet
  • Quebec Not confirmed yet
  • New Brunswick Not confirmed yet
  • Nova Scotia Not confirmed yet
  • Prince Edward Island Not confirmed yet
  • Newfoundland and Labrador Not confirmed yet
  • Yukon Not confirmed yet
  • Northwest Territories Not confirmed yet
  • Nunavut Not confirmed yet

Compare certified dental assistant licensing across Canada

Sources checked

Pages read on October 10, 2026.

  1. Licensing | British Columbia College of Oral Health Professionals oralhealthbc.ca/licensure · fetched October 10, 2026
  2. Licensed Dental Assistants - Initial Licence | British Columbia College of Oral Health Professionals oralhealthbc.ca/licensure/licensure-renewal-lda/lda-initial-licence · fetched October 10, 2026
  3. Licensed Dental Assistant Licensure Information | British Columbia College of Oral Health Professionals oralhealthbc.ca/licensure/licensure-renewal-lda/lda-licensure-info · fetched October 10, 2026

Frequently asked questions

2

Do you need a licence to work as a certified dental assistant in British Columbia?

Yes. Registration with the BC College of Oral Health Professionals of BC is required to practise in British Columbia.

Which exams are required?

National Dental Assisting Examining Board (NDAEB) Written Examination, NDAEB Clinical Practice Evaluation.

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