This Florida Board of Dentistry-approved course certifies dental assistants in both Expanded Functions (EFDA) and Dental Radiology.

To enroll, you must have at least three months of clinical experience and completed formal EFDA training under a licensed dentist. You must also be confident performing EFDA and Dental Radiology procedures independently, as this is a certification course—not an instructional course. If you’re new to dental assisting or need hands-on training before certification, consider enrolling in our 12-Week Dental Assistant Program. It’s designed for beginners and provides in-depth instruction and clinical experience.

Certification Overview

The course is divided into two required parts:

Part 1 – Online Exams
You’ll complete two state board exams online: one for EFDA (50 questions) and one for Dental Radiology (90 questions). Study materials are provided upon registration. Exams must be submitted at least 48 hours before your scheduled hands-on session. A passing score of 75% or higher is required on both.

Part 2 – Clinical Assessment
Held in person at our training facility, this session evaluates your ability to perform all required EFDA and Dental Radiology procedures. No instruction is provided during the assessment, but an instructor will be available if needed. You’ll also complete a paper-based dental charting test as part of the evaluation.

Once both parts are completed and passed, you’ll earn your Florida EFDA Certification and Florida Dental Radiology Certification.

This certification is for dental assistants who:

• Have at least three months of clinical experience

• Can perform EFDA and Dental Radiology procedures independently

• Understand this is a certification-only course (no instruction is provided)

It’s also ideal for dental assistants moving to Florida, as the state does not accept out-of-state licenses or certifications.

You’ll be evaluated on skills you’ve already learned and may use the techniques you were originally taught.

Before attending, submit an Employment Verification Form signed by a licensed dentist confirming your experience and competency.

No instruction is provided during this course. It is solely for certification purposes in accordance with Florida Board of Dentistry requirements.

Course Format & Pricing

The total cost for the 1‑Day EFDA & Dental Radiology Combo Certification Course is $900. This certification is divided into two required components:

Part 1 – Online Exams
Complete both the EFDA and Dental Radiology state board exams through our website at your own pace. Exams must be submitted no later than two days before your scheduled in‑person session. A passing score is required to proceed.

Part 2 – Hands‑On Clinical Lab
Held at our training facility from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM on your selected date. You’ll independently demonstrate all required EFDA and Dental Radiology procedures in a real clinical environment.

This hybrid course includes online learning and in‑person evaluation. To complete Part 1, students must have access to a desktop or laptop with internet and be comfortable using basic online tools. The online portion includes study materials and both required state board exams.

An introductory section with step‑by‑step instructions is provided to guide you through the online process before your hands‑on lab.

Important: We recommend using Google Chrome in an Incognito Window on a desktop or laptop. Some students have experienced issues when using iPads or mobile devices during the exam.

If you’d like a refresher before your in-person session, we’ve got you covered. To help you feel confident and prepared for Part 2 of the Certification Course, we offer step-by-step video tutorials on our YouTube Channel.

These videos walk you through all the EFDA and Dental Radiology procedures you’ll be expected to perform during the clinical hands-on portion — with no instruction provided during the assessment.

How to Access the Videos:

• Visit our YouTube Channel

• Click on “Playlists”

• Select “Dental Assistant Clinical Procedures” under the EFDA/X-ray Certification Procedures section

We strongly recommend reviewing these videos in advance so you arrive ready to demonstrate your skills with confidence.

To legally work with patients in Florida, dental assistants must hold two certifications:

• Expanded Functions Dental Assistant (EFDA) Certification

• Dental Radiology (X-ray) Certification

Florida does not accept certifications from other states, as it does not participate in reciprocity agreements. Additionally, the CDA Certification from DANB is not accepted as a substitute for these required state credentials.

For official guidelines and updates, visit the Florida Board of Dentistry website and refer to the Dental Assistant / Expanded Duties FAQs.

To reschedule your Part 2 clinical session, you must notify the Business Office in writing at least 7 days before your scheduled class date. Requests made less than 7 days in advance will incur a $100 transfer fee.

Refund requests must also be submitted in writing and will be reviewed based on the Cancellation and Refund Policy outlined in your online registration form.

Please keep in mind:

• All refunds are subject to a 3.5% credit/debit card processing fee

• Both parts of the course must be completed within 90 days of registration

• After 90 days, course access expires and no refunds will be issued