EFDA & Dental X-ray Certification FAQ
What is required to work as a Dental Assistant in Florida?
Florida requires that dental assistants have 2 certifications in order to be a dental assistant; EFDA (Expanded Functions Dental Assistant) and Dental Radiology (X-ray) Certification. Academy for Dental Assistants offers those courses.
Florida does not accept any other states dental assistant certifications or DANB- CDA Certification.
I am a Dental Assistant from another state; can I work as a dental assistant in Florida?
Florida requires that dental assistants have 2 certifications in order to be a dental assistant; EFDA (Expanded Functions Dental Assistant) and Dental Radiology (X-ray) Certification.
You can call the Florida Board of Dentistry and ask if your states certifications transfer to Florida but in most cases they do not and you will be required to take a course in Florida for EFDA and X-ray Certification Couse.
Florida does not accept any other states dental assistant certifications or DANB- CDA Certification.
Florida Board of Dentistry – 850-245-4474
Academy for Dental Assistants is able to provide those courses to out of state dental assistants.
I have a certification from the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB). Is this certification valid in Florida?
Florida does not recognize the DANB credential. You must have your Florida EFDA and Dental X-ray Certifications.
- Expanded Functions Dental Assistant Certification
- Dental Radiology Certification
Academy for Dental Assistants offers both classes separately or together as a combo course.
Florida does not accept any other states dental assistant certifications or DANB- CDA Certification. You can be grandfather in if you have your DANB- CDA Certification prior to 2009.
Florida Board of Dentistry – 850-245-4474
Can I transfer my dental assisting license from another state to Florida?
Florida does not offer reciprocity and does not license dental assistants; therefore you cannot transfer a dental assistant license from another state.
For more information see the link below for the Florida Board of Dentistry site.
Florida does not accept any other states dental assistant certifications or DANB- CDA Certification. You can be grandfather in if you have your DANB- CDA Certification prior to 2009.
Florida Board of Dentistry – 850-245-4474
Should I call the Florida Board of Dentistry to see if they will take my Certification from another State?
Yes, we encourage you to call the Florida Board of Dentistry to verify if your Certifications will transfer or not at 850-245-4474.
Florida does not accept any other states dental assistant certifications or DANB- CDA Certification. You can be grandfather in if you have your DANB- CDA Certification prior to 2009.
Florida Board of Dentistry – 850-245-4474
I am a CDA (Certified Dental Assistant) is that certification enough to allow me to work as a Dental Assistant in Florida?
No, the Florida Board of Dentistry stopped accepting DANB – CDA certification in 2009 and requires all Dental Assistants to have their Florida EFDA and X-ray Certification to work as a dental assistant in Florida.
Academy for Dental Assistants offers those courses.
Florida does not accept any other states dental assistant certifications or DANB- CDA Certification. You can be grandfather in if you have your DANB- CDA Certification prior to 2009.
Florida Board of Dentistry – 850-245-4474
I have no Dental Assisting experience can I attend your EFDA and X-ray Certification courses?
No, the 16 hour EFDA and 8 hour X-ray certification courses we offer are for already trained dental assistants that have been trained on the job (minimum of 3 months) or that are dental assistants from another state and are already trained. Students with no prior dental assistant experience will need to take our 12 Week Dental Assisting Program where we will train you from the beginning.
Do I need both Certifications to be a Dental Assistant?
Yes, to be a Dental Assistant in Florida and work with patients inside their oral cavity, you need to have your EFDA and your Dental X-ray Certifications.
How do you register to take a course?
You must first “Register” and make payment for a course on our website at www.academy4da.com
On the Home Page select “ALL COURSES” select the course you want to take
Select “ADD TO CART” and “CHECK OUT”
you will then be asked to register and make payment for the course.
Once payment has been processed, you will directed to a page to “Select your class date” – this class date will be for PART 2 of the course the Clinical Hands – On portion of the course held in our facility. Part 2 of the course is to display your dental assisting skills and the instructors “certify” that you can completed the EFDA procedures.
Once you select the “Class Date” for Part 2 you will immediately have access to the course material for PART 1 of the course the State Board Exam(s)
Select “MY COURSES” on the Home page to begin PART 1 of the Certifications course (the State Board Exam(s))
How do I start my Course?
- Log into your account
- Select “My Courses” across the top of the page- You will see your course (s) listed
- Select “Start Course”– read the directions listed – Select Start Course at bottom of page
- You can download or view the study guides for the course in 2 areas: within the course at the bottom of each Section or Select “My Account” tab
- Once you complete your Quiz and receive a grade of 75% or better you must Select “Finish Course” to submit your Quiz to the Instructor
- If you have registered for more than one course you can go back to the “My Courses” tab
- Select the Next Course
- Select “Start Course” and follow the same instructions to complete each course.
- You can log in and out of your account to view course material
What if I don't pass the course with a 75%?
Once you submit your quiz a “check results” box will appear. Scroll to the bottom of the page to see your score.
If your score is below 75/100 you will be allowed 1 retake. There is a retake button under your score.
Once you obtain a 75% or better on the quiz (or quizzes if taking the COMBO COURSE) you are ready to attend PART 2 of the Course on the date you selected at registration.
Once the Test answers are submitted online you will see you results (score) if you received a 75% or better, there is nothing further for you to do but attend Part 2 of the course, we will receive your test scores via the website.
Is there a time limit for the quiz?
There is no time limit on either Quiz. You can take as long as you need for each Quiz.
The Quiz must be finished 2 days before the Part 2 scheduled date in our facility.
After I take the online Course will I receive my EFDA and X-ray Certification?
There are 2 parts to each course.
Part 1 is taking the state tests online and obtaining a score of 75% or better
Part 2 is demonstrating your dental assistant skills for our instructor on the scheduled class date held in our facility at 4911 Park St N Suite B, St. Petersburg, FL 33709.
Once you have completed and passed both parts 1 and 2 you will receive your dental assistant certificate at our Tampa Bay training facility.
Once I complete the Course what is next?
EFDA Certification
Once you complete the EFDA Certification Course there is nothing further you need to do. The EFDA Certification has no expiration and does not need to be renewed and no continuing education credits are needed.
Dental X-ray Certification
Once you complete the Dental X-ray Certification Course you must register with the Florida Department of Health Board of Dentistry.
In order to register with the Department of Health you must work for a Florida Licensed Dentist for a minimum of 3 months and have taken the dental x-ray certification course. Follow the directions on the top of the application.
Dept of Health Dental Radiology Application – please note this is done AFTER you have taken the course.
FL Dept of Health - Radiology Application
Print this form and follow the directions on the top of the page to mail away for your Radiology License AFTER you take the Dental X-ray Certification Course and receive your Dental Radiology Certification.