Dental Assistant in Arizona
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for AZ
How to Become a Dental Assistant in Arizona
In Arizona, there is no state license required for basic dental assisting duties. However, to perform radiography, a dental assistant must obtain an Arizona Radiologic Proficiency Certificate from the Arizona State Board of Dental Examiners by passing the DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam. For coronal polishing, an Arizona Coronal Polishing Certificate is required, which involves passing the DANB Coronal Polish (CP) exam and submitting a clinical skills affidavit. Arizona also has a Universal Licensing Recognition pathway for individuals licensed in another US jurisdiction for at least one year who establish Arizona residency.
Dental Assistant Requirements in Arizona
| Detail | Arizona |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Arizona State Board of Dental Examiners |
| State License Required | No |
| Education | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Exam | DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam for radiography ($250) |
| Application Fee | $75 |
| Notes | Arizona does not license dental assistants for basic supportive procedures. However, to perform radiography, a dental assistant must pass the DANB RHS exam and apply to the Arizona State Board of Dental Examiners for a Radiography Certification. To perform coronal polishing, an assistant must pass the DANB Coronal Polish (CP) exam, submit a clinical skills affidavit, and receive an Arizona Coronal Polishing Certificate from DANB. There are no eligibility requirements for the DANB RHS and ICE exams. The DANB General Chairside Assisting (GC) exam, which is part of the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) certification, requires a minimum of 3,500 hours of dental assisting work experience accrued over at least two years. Arizona offers a Universal Licensing Recognition pathway for individuals licensed in another US jurisdiction for at least one year who establish Arizona residency. |
Dental Assistant Salary in Arizona
The median dental assistant salary in Arizona is $49,000 per year, which is 3.6% above the national median of $47,300.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $39,010 |
| 25th | $44,790 |
| 50th (median) | $49,000 |
| 75th | $57,760 |
| 90th (experienced) | $60,480 |
Arizona employs approximately 7,480 dental assistants.
Dental Assistant Job Outlook
AI Impact on Dental Assistants
Low AI Exposure (Score: -0.53/1.00)
This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.
Is Becoming a Dental Assistant in Arizona Worth It?
Factors to consider: Arizona's cost of living, the lack of a state license requirement, strong job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.