June 8, 2026 | British Columbia

Becoming a Licensed Dental Assistant (LDA)* in British Columbia involves more than completing dental assisting training. Graduates also need to meet National Dental Assisting Examining Board (NDAEB) requirements and apply for licensure with the BC College of Oral Health Professionals (BCCOHP). 

Understanding how education, the NDAEB and BCCOHP fit together can help you plan your pathway from training to professional practice. 

What Is the BCCOHP? 

The BC College of Oral Health Professionals (BCCOHP) regulates Licensed Dental Assistants and other regulated oral health professionals in British Columbia. 

BCCOHP sets licensing and professional requirements and establishes rules for services that may be delegated to dental assistants. 

As of April 1, 2026, BC moved from a registration model to a licensure model under the Health Professions and Occupations Act (HPOA). The former Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) designation became Licensed Dental Assistant (LDA). 

Licensure with BCCOHP is required to practise as an LDA. BCCOHP also recognizes dental assistants, often referred to as chairside dental assistants, who do not hold an LDA licence and may perform certain services under applicable delegation and supervision requirements. 

What Is the NDAEB Exam?

The National Dental Assisting Examining Board (NDAEB) is separate from BCCOHP. It administers national assessments and issues the NDAEB Certificate. 

For graduates of an accredited dental assisting program in BC, successfully completing the NDAEB written exam, now referred to by NDAEB as the Theory Examination, is part of the pathway to LDA licensure with BCCOHP. 

It is useful to distinguish the two credentials: 

Obtaining the NDAEB Certificate does not automatically give you an LDA licence in British Columbia. Graduates must separately meet BCCOHP's licensing requirements. 

Who Is Eligible to Take the NDAEB Exam? 

Eligibility to apply for the NDAEB exam is tied to your educational credentials. Graduates of dental assisting programs that are accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada (CDAC) are eligible to apply. This is not a minor detail. Choosing a CDAC-accredited program is a prerequisite for sitting the exam and, by extension, a prerequisite for registration with the BCCOHP. 

CDI College Dental Assisting Program in BC is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada, which means graduates meet the educational eligibility criteria to apply for the mandatory NDAEB certification exam. 

How Your Dental Assisting Training Connects to Licensure 

Your dental assisting education builds the knowledge and practical skills needed before moving on to the NDAEB examination and BCCOHP licensing stages. 

CDI College's Dental Assisting Program in Burnaby and Surrey is 55 weeks and 1,375 hours across three terms. Training covers areas relevant to the NDAEB examination and dental assisting practice in BC. 

Ethics and Jurisprudence 

Students learn about: 

• Professional responsibilities 
• Ethical dental practice 
• Legal issues in dental assisting 
• Roles within the dental team 
• Regulatory and workplace expectations 

This provides a foundation for understanding the professional standards and requirements that apply when working in a BC dental practice. 

Radiography Training 

Radiography training covers areas such as: 

• Radiation physics 
• Radiation safety 
• Digital radiography 
• Quality assurance 
• Practical radiographic techniques 

Under BCCOHP's current bylaws, intra-oral x-rays may be delegated to an LDA. They may also be delegated to a dental assistant who has completed applicable radiography training and meets BCCOHP requirements, subject to the required supervision. 

Infection Control and Safety 

Safe clinical practice is another important part of dental assisting training. 

Students study areas including: 

• Clinical infection prevention and control 
• Hazardous materials handling 
• WHMIS/GHS protocols 
• Dental office waste management 

These topics support both preparation for the NDAEB examination and safe day-to-day practice in a dental office. 

Intra-Oral Dental Assisting 

Students also develop practical intra-oral assisting skills under professional supervision. 

BCCOHP permits certain services to be delegated to both dental assistants and LDAs, while other procedures may be delegated specifically to LDAs. 

Training can include areas such as: 

• Applying topical agents 
• Obtaining impressions 
• Applying and adjusting fissure sealants 
• Placing and removing matrices and wedges 
• Other intra-oral procedures included in the program 

The exact services a graduate can perform in practice depend on BCCOHP's current requirements for training, delegation, supervision and licensure. 

Beyond classroom and clinical training, CDI College's BC Dental Assisting program includes 175 mandatory hours of outside practical experience across two phases. This gives students an opportunity to apply their skills in a dental workplace before graduation. 

To learn more about the training experience, read What Courses Are Tough in a Dental Assistant Program?. 

After Graduation: The Path to BCCOHP Licensure 

For graduates of a CDAC-accredited dental assisting program in BC, the pathway to becoming a Licensed Dental Assistant generally follows these steps: 

• Graduate from an accredited dental assisting program 
• Apply for and successfully complete the NDAEB Theory Examination 
• Obtain the NDAEB Certificate 
• Apply for an initial Licensed Dental Assistant licence with BCCOHP 
• Complete the applicable application requirements, including required documentation and a criminal record check 
• Receive confirmation from BCCOHP that your LDA licence is active 

Graduates of accredited BC dental assisting programs who successfully complete the NDAEB written exam can apply for BCCOHP licensure. Applicants must complete the licensing process before practising as an LDA. 

For CDI College students, graduation supports the education stage of this pathway and provides eligibility to write the NDAEB examination. Graduation itself does not grant an LDA licence. 

What Happens After You Become Licensed? 

LDA licensure is not a one-time process. 

Licensed Dental Assistants must renew their BCCOHP licence and meet the professional requirements that apply to maintaining it. 

BCCOHP launched a modernized Quality Assurance Program (QAP) on April 13, 2026. It replaced the previous profession-specific QA programs, including the former system based on fixed continuing education and continuous practice requirements. 

Licensed Dental Assistants should refer directly to BCCOHP for current annual renewal and QAP requirements, as these can change over time. 

Ready to Take the First Step? 

Becoming a Licensed Dental Assistant in BC connects three main stages: dental assisting education, the NDAEB Certificate and BCCOHP licensure. 

CDI College's Dental Assisting Program in Burnaby and Surrey is CDAC-accredited and combines classroom learning, clinical training and practical workplace experience. Graduates are eligible to apply for the NDAEB examination as they move toward the next stage of the LDA pathway. 
 
Request more information for details, availability, admission requirements, and financial options.