How to Become an Orthodontic Assistant Permit Holder

Requirements to obtain an Orthodontic Assistant (OA) Permit

• Submit a completed Application for Orthodontic Assistant Permit Examination and Licensure. as described in the Application section below.
• Pay the non-refundable application fee of $120.
• Provide documentation of completing one of the three pathways to licensure listed in the Pathway section below.
• Provide documentation of completing all courses listed in the Required Courses section below.
• Provide evidence of completing a Basic Life Support course as described below.
• Submit fingerprints by Live Scan or card for the purpose of a background check, as described in the Background Check section below.
• Pass the Orthodontic Assistant Written Examination described in the Written Examination section below.

Application

Applications for Orthodontic Assistant Examination and Permit are submitted online through BreEZe. If you are a new BreEZe user, you will first need to register for a free account. When applying through your BreEZe account, select the application named Application for Orthodontic Assistant. Next, upload your pathway document, all required course certificates, and your completed Live Scan Request form. Finally, make your payment and submit. Applications without payment are not considered submitted.

The Department of Consumer Affairs offers a “How To” help tutorial video for the BreEZe system. The video can be accessed by clicking on the following link: Help Tutorials.

For an optimal experience when accessing your BreEZe account, use a standard computer or laptop. All options may not be available when using a hand-held device such as a smartphone or iPad.

You may also mail in your Application for Orthodontic Assistant Examination and Permit. Include your pathway documents, a copy of all required course certificates, a copy of your completed Live Scan Request form, and a check or money order of $120 made payable to the Dental Board of California.

Pathway

Submit documentation (evidence) of one of the following qualifications:

1. Work Experience: You have satisfactorily completed at least 12 months of work experience as a dental assistant performing the duties specified in Business and Professions Code (BPC) section 1750.1. Applicants through this pathway must submit the work experience portion of the Application for Orthodontic Assistant Examination and Permit form.
2. Registered Dental Assistant: Hold a current, active, and valid license as a registered dental assistant issued by the Board. Applicants through this pathway must provide their license information when applying.

Required Board-Approved Courses

Submit documentation that you have completed all the required Board-approved courses listed below. A copy of a valid certificate of completion is acceptable.

• Orthodontic Assistant Course, which may commence after the completion of six months of work experience as a dental assistant.
  • The course hours for a student who is not an RDA and is qualifying under work experience pathway must be no less than 84 hours.
  • The course hours for a student who holds a valid and current RDA license must be no less than 55 hours.
  • The course hours for a student who holds a valid and current RDA license and who has completed a course in Ultrasonic Scaling must be no less than 51 hours.
• 4-hour course in Ultrasonic Scaling.
• 2-hour course in the California Dental Practice Act.
• 8-hour course in Infection Control.
• Certification in a Basic Life Support course through the American Red Cross (ARC), the American Heart Association (AHA), the American Safety and Health Institute (ASHI), the American Dental Association’s Continuing Education Provider Recognition (CERP) program, or the Academy of General Dentistry’s Program Approval for Continuing Education (PACE).

Background Check

Obtain a fingerprint clearance from both the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the FBI. If you are in California, download the Request for Live Scan Service form, complete it, and take it to a Live Scan service location. The Live Scan service location will require you to pay a fee. Your fingerprints will be taken electronically, without ink, and transmitted to the DOJ. Finally, the DOJ will send their report to the Board. Usually, the report is received within seven days. There is a low rate of rejections with this method. If you are not in California, you will need to submit a set of fingerprint cards and pay a $49 fee to the Board. For information on this method, visit the Fingerprinting Information page of our website.

Application Processing Time

The standard processing time is 30 days. Upon processing, a notification will be mailed to the address indicated on the application. The notification will inform you of the status of your application. Applications submitted without all required documentation are considered deficient (incomplete).

Written Examination

Each applicant for an Orthodontic Assistant Permit must pass the Orthodontic Assistant Written Examination.

Once the Board approves your completed Application for Orthodontic Assistant Examination and Permit, you will be authorized to take the written examination. The Board will send an authorization notice to your address of record which will include instructions to schedule your examination.

The written examination is administered by the examination administration provider contracted with the Board, PSI Services LLC (PSI). PSI will email you the Candidate Information Bulletin. Review the Candidate Information Bulletin thoroughly for important information about acceptable clothing attire, cancellation policy, and other guidance. The OA examination consists of 75 scorable questions and 25 pretest questions, and candidates have 120 minutes to take the exam. If you fail the exam, or miss your scheduled test date, you can contact PSI to reschedule the exam in 7–10 business days. You will not be required to make an additional submission for eligibility or to apply for re-examination.

To request reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), email the Dental Assisting Program at DA.Program@dca.ca.gov to request information.

Issuance of the OA Permit

After you have submitted a complete application, passed the Orthodontic Assistant Examination, obtained fingerprint clearances, and qualified for licensure, a pocket identification card and wall certificate will be issued to you. There is no additional fee for the initial issuance of the OA Permit. A person who holds a permit is subject to the continuing education requirements established by the Board pursuant to BPC section 1645 and to the renewal requirements of BPC sections 1715 et seq.

For more information, call (916) 263-2300 or email DA.Program@dca.ca.gov.

Cancellation (Abandonment) of Applications

If your application is cancelled (abandoned), you must reapply for the OA permit as a new applicant. You will have to submit a new completed application, submit qualification documentation, and pay the appropriate fee.

California Code of Regulations, title 16, section 1004. Abandonment of Applications.

1. An application shall be deemed to have been abandoned in any of the following circumstances:
   1. The applicant fails to submit the application, examination, or reexamination fee within 180 days after notification by the board that such fee is due and unpaid.
   2. The applicant fails to take the licensing examination within two years after the date his or her application was received by the Board.
   3. Except as provided in paragraph (4) of this subdivision, the applicant, after failing the examination, fails to take a reexamination within two years after the date the applicant was notified of such failure.
   [...]
2. An application submitted subsequent to the abandonment of a former application shall be treated as a new application.
3. For any other application deficiencies not listed in subdivision (a), an applicant for a license who fails to complete application requirements within one year after being notified by the Board of deficiencies in his or her application, shall be deemed to have abandoned the application and shall be required to file a new application and meet all of the requirements which are in effect at the time of reapplication.

Important Links

• Orthodontic Assistant Permit Candidate Information Bulletin
• List of Approved Orthodontic Assistant Course Providers
• Approved Educational Programs and Courses
• Laws and Regulations
• Table of Permitted Duties
• Address Change Requirement