Dental Assistant in Minnesota
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for MN
How to Become a Dental Assistant in Minnesota
To become a Licensed Dental Assistant in Minnesota, individuals must graduate from a CODA-accredited dental assisting program and pass three exams: the Minnesota Jurisprudence Exam, the DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam, and the Minnesota Dental Assistant State Licensure Examination. The licensing body is the Minnesota Board of Dentistry. Applicants must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or GED, and undergo a criminal background check. Continuous CPR certification and specific continuing education courses, including infection control, are required for biennial license renewal.
Dental Assistant Requirements in Minnesota
| Detail | Minnesota |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Minnesota Board of Dentistry |
| State License Required | Yes |
| Education | Graduation from a CODA-accredited dental assisting program. |
| Exam | Minnesota Jurisprudence Exam; DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam; Minnesota Dental Assistant State Licensure Examination |
| Application Fee | $124 |
| Renewal | Every 2.0 years |
| Continuing Education | 25.0 hours per cycle |
| Notes | Applicants must be 18 years of age or older and have a high school diploma or GED. A criminal background check is required. Continuous CPR certification is mandatory. An infection control course is mandatory for each renewal cycle. At least two courses must be completed in different core subject areas (e.g., record keeping, ethics, management of medical emergencies, patient communications, diagnosis and treatment planning, HIPAA). |
Source: Minnesota Board of Dentistry
License Tiers
Minnesota offers multiple tiers of dental assistant licensing:
| Tier | Hours Required |
|---|---|
| Licensed Dental Assistant (LDA) | N/A |
Dental Assistant Salary in Minnesota
The median dental assistant salary in Minnesota is $64,630 per year, which is 36.6% above the national median of $47,300.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $48,450 |
| 25th | $60,320 |
| 50th (median) | $64,630 |
| 75th | $68,410 |
| 90th (experienced) | $74,930 |
Minnesota employs approximately 5,590 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 Minnesota Worth It?
Factors to consider: Minnesota's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, strong job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.