Frequently Asked Questions
- Register on the portal and complete your profile
- Upload a notarized letter of recommendation and a current copy of your CPR certification
NOTE:
- Applications are accepted on a first-come basis. If exam is full then you will be able to reapply for the next testing date as soon as the next application window is open.
- Applications received after the deadline will not be accepted.
- Persons with disabilities needing assistance should notify the Commission by email at the time of application at [email protected]
- All payments are made in your portal
To pay the application or renewal fee, register HERE
Ohio certification is available to any individual who:
Has a minimum of 12 months continuous full time work experience in the dental profession by the date of the exam or is enrolled in or a graduate of an accredited dental assisting program.
NOTE: Current students must have completed 50% of the program at the time they take the exam.
The Commission will not discriminate in application, examination or certification activities on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, handicap, sexual preference, or marital status. The birth year of all applicants is requested as part of the identification data.
Exam fees must accompany the application.
Full Exam: $65.00
An applicant who fails a portion of the examination will be required to retake only the portion failed. A new application must be completed and CPR must be current at time of retake.
An applicant has 3 attempts to pass both portions of the test or will be required to attain additional education or remediation before reapplying.
Fees for retaking any portion of the exam are:
Retakes: $25.00
Retakes must be completed within one (1) year of the original exam date or the applicant must complete the entire application process and retake the full exam.
Examination fees are not refundable.
School must be prepaid and submit a student list via E-mail to CODA at [email protected]
Examination Content
The exam consists of two parts: Written and Clinical. An applicant must pass BOTH parts of the exam to be a Certified Ohio Dental Assistant.
The written exam consists of approximately 250 multiple-choice questions.
Topics Include:
- Chairside Skills
- Office Procedures
- Dental Anatomy
- Dental Specialties
- Dental Materials
- Dental Insurance
- Sterilization/OSHA
- Preventive Procedures
- Dental/Medical Emergency Skills
The clinical exam consists of basic dental assisting tasks.
Tasks Include:
- Dental Materials
- Patient Education
- Matrix Retainers
- Chairside
- Instrument Identification
- Bur Identification
- X-rays (including but not limited to mounting and placing film-based x-rays and image identification)
NOTE: HOLDING A CURRENT RADIOLOGY CERTIFICATE DOES NOT EXEMPT APPLICANT FROM TAKING AND PASSING THE RADIOLOGY PORTION OF THE EXAM.
- No questions concerning the content of the written test may be asked during examination sessions.
- No reference materials or notes may be brought to examination sessions.
- No visitors or unauthorized individuals will be permitted in the testing session.
- Examinations shall be held on dates and in locations specified by the Commission.
- Applicants will receive confirmation and information approximately thirty days prior to their examination date.
- Exam registration begins at 8:00am
- Applicants arriving late for the examination will be admitted but will not be allowed extra time beyond the time scheduled for completion of the exam.
- ALL candidates taking any part of the examination MUST BE IN UNIFORM (scrubs, lab jacket and proper footwear along with PPE) . Failure to meet uniform requirements will result in a reduction of points on the applicant’s clinical score
Keeping CODA Current
To maintain current status you must renew each year. The expiration date is December 31 of each year and is printed on your Certificate.
Follow the Renewal Instructions on how to use the new CODA portal.
Continuing Education and Fees
- Complete 12 Hours of continuing education and submit the fee of $35.00 each year. Note: Please be sure to maintain records of all continuing education credits you complete each year. These records should be retained in accordance with applicable requirements and made available if you are selected for an audit.
- After December 31: renewal fee is $45.00.
- If certification is not renewed by March 31 your Ohio Certification will be considered expired. You must retake the test.
ACCEPTABLE FORMS OF CONTINUING EDUCATION
- Educational programs must be at least 45 minutes in length to quality for one (1) hour of credit. (Example: A 5-hour program/seminar is equal to 5 continuing education credits.)
- Continuing Education MUST BE DIRECTLY RELATED to the practice of dental assisting or dentistry.
- Attendance at a dental assisting or dental seminar, workshop is typical acceptable forms of continuing education.
- Community Participation: The Commission recognizes the educational value of participation in dental-related community projects. Recertification credits are granted for community participation on the basis of one (1) credit for every two (2) clock hours of participation, up to four (4) CE credits for community participation may be used each year.
- Hours for CPR retraining, OSHA updates and Radiology review courses may be used for renewal.
- Home study and online courses approved by the ADA, AGD, ADAA or DANB.
- EFDA TRAINING: Persons enrolled in or who complete EFDA training after achieving Ohio Certification may use this training for two years CE credit. Proof of enrollment or successful completion of EFDA training must be submitted with the proper fee EACH YEAR.