Dental Assistant in Virginia
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for VA
How to Become a Dental Assistant in Virginia
To become a Dental Assistant in Virginia, individuals can pursue two paths: Dental Assistant I or Dental Assistant II. Dental Assistant I roles have no specific education requirements, but those performing X-rays must complete a board-approved radiation safety course. To become a registered Dental Assistant II, applicants need current DANB Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) certification or equivalent, and must complete a CODA-accredited expanded function dental assisting training program. Renewal for Dental Assistant IIs is annual and requires maintaining DANB certification (12 CE hours) and current hands-on CPR certification. Reciprocity for DA IIs is possible with substantially equivalent qualifications or documented experience in expanded duties from another state. The Virginia Board of Dentistry oversees these requirements.
Dental Assistant Requirements in Virginia
| Detail | Virginia |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Virginia Board of Dentistry |
| State License Required | No |
| Education | For Dental Assistant I: No specific education or training requirements, but must complete a board-approved radiation safety course to take x-rays. For Dental Assistant II: Current DANB Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) certification or certification from another ADA-recognized national credentialing organization, AND completion of a CODA-accredited expanded function dental assisting training program. |
| Exam | For Dental Assistant II: DANB Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) exam or other ADA-recognized national credentialing exam. For radiation certification: DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam, ARRT certification, or a CODA-accredited radiation safety course and exam. |
| Application Fee | $100 |
| Renewal | Every 1.0 year |
| Continuing Education | 12.0 hours per cycle |
| Notes | Virginia recognizes two levels of dental assistants: Dental Assistant I (DA I) and Dental Assistant II (DA II). DA I has no specific education or training requirements, but must complete a board-approved radiation safety course to take x-rays. DA IIs are registered and can perform reversible, intraoral procedures under direct supervision. To renew registration, DA IIs must maintain DANB certification (which requires 12 CE credits annually) and current hands-on CPR certification. All dental assistants who place dental restorations must be registered as either a DA I or DA II. Registration as a DA I is required to take x-rays. |
Source: Virginia Board of Dentistry
License Tiers
Virginia offers multiple tiers of dental assistant licensing:
| Tier | Hours Required |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant I (DA I) | N/A |
| Dental Assistant II (DA II) | N/A |
Dental Assistant Salary in Virginia
The median dental assistant salary in Virginia is $46,910 per year, which is 0.8% below the national median of $47,300.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $37,670 |
| 25th | $42,190 |
| 50th (median) | $46,910 |
| 75th | $54,650 |
| 90th (experienced) | $59,920 |
Virginia employs approximately 11,040 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 Virginia Worth It?
Factors to consider: Virginia's cost of living, the lack of a state license requirement, strong job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.