Requirements hub · Updated September 2026
Colorado dental assistant requirements
Colorado has some of the most accessible rules in the country for dental assistants. There's no state license, but there is one rule you can't skip.
At a glance
| State license or registration | Not required |
|---|---|
| Formal training | Not required by the state; preferred by most employers |
| X-ray (radiography) qualification | Required before taking x-rays |
| DANB certification | Optional (RHS is one way to qualify for x-rays) |
| CPR/BLS | Expected by nearly all employers |
| Who regulates the tasks | Colorado Dental Board (DORA) |
The path, step by step
- Meet program entry basics. Most schools ask for age 18+, a high school diploma or GED, and sometimes immunization records and a background check.
- Get trained (optional but expected). The state doesn't require formal training, but most employers prefer it. Programs run from about 8 weeks to 9 months.
- Qualify for x-rays. Complete one of Colorado's accepted radiography routes before exposing patients to x-rays.
- Get CPR/BLS certified. Nearly every dental office requires current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
- Add credentials over time. DANB's RHS, ICE or full CDA credentials can help with pay, promotions and moving to another state.
The x-ray rule
Before you expose a patient to x-rays in Colorado, you need one of the state's accepted radiography qualifications. According to DANB's Colorado summary, the routes include:
- Passing DANB's Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam, or the full Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) exam
- Completing a Colorado Dental Board–approved radiography training module
- Completing a qualifying radiography course in an accredited dental assisting program
When you compare schools, ask whether radiography is included in tuition and whether it meets Colorado's rule. Details: Do dental assistants need a license in Colorado?
DANB credentials
The Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) offers national exams. None are required to work in Colorado, but they help. Is DANB certification required in Colorado? explains RHS, ICE, NELDA and CDA.
Expanded duties
Colorado doesn't issue a separate expanded-functions license. The Dental Board's rules decide which advanced tasks may be delegated and what training they require. See our EDDA guide.
Checking a school
Private occupational schools in Colorado must be approved by the Colorado Department of Higher Education (Division of Private Occupational Schools). Ask any school for its approval status, and read how to choose a dental assisting school.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a license to be a dental assistant in Colorado?
No. Colorado doesn't license, register or certify dental assistants. The Colorado Dental Board regulates which tasks a dentist may delegate to an assistant.
What do I need before I can take x-rays in Colorado?
You need a qualifying route: passing DANB's Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam or the full CDA exam, completing a Colorado Dental Board–approved radiography module, or completing a qualifying radiography course in an accredited program. Confirm the current rule with the Colorado Dental Board before you enroll.
Is DANB certification required in Colorado?
No. DANB certification is optional in Colorado, but the RHS exam is one accepted way to qualify for x-rays, and many employers value DANB credentials.
Do I need a high school diploma?
The state doesn't set one for dental assistants, but most training programs require you to be 18 or older with a high school diploma or GED, and most employers expect one.
This page summarizes public sources and isn't legal advice. Rules change, so confirm with the Colorado Dental Board before you enroll or accept delegated duties. Last reviewed September 17, 2026.