2019 Candidate Handbook

The Candidate Handbook contains important policy information for DANB’s

five national certification programs and exams:
• National Entry Level Dental Assistant (NELDA®)
• Certified Dental Assistant™ (CDA®)
• Certified Orthodontic Assistant (COA®)
• Certified Preventive Functions Dental Assistant (CPFDA®)
• Certified Restorative Functions Dental Assistant (CRFDA®)

Please review this information carefully; you are responsible for understanding and
complying with the policies and procedures provided in this handbook when taking
a DANB-administered exam or applying for a DANB-issued certification.

To download an exam application packet, please visit www.danb.org.

Dental Assisting National Board, Inc.

444 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 900, Chicago, IL 60611-3985
1-800-367-3262 • Fax: 1-312-642-3550 • Email: [email protected]
www.danb.org
 Dental Assisting National Board, Inc.

About DANB DANB’s Mission

Since its inception in 1948, the Dental Assisting National DANB is a nonprofit organization. DANB’s mission is to
Board, Inc. (DANB) has worked within — and with the promote the public good by providing credentialing services
support of — the dental community. The American Dental to the dental community.
Association recognizes DANB as the national certification
board for dental assistants. We accomplish and measure the success of this mission
through the creation of valid dental assisting exams; re-
The following organizations assist DANB in developing its certification requirement integrity; and valuable, visible and
dental assisting exams by recommending subject matter accessible DANB exams, certificates of knowledge-based
experts to DANB’s exam committees: competence and certifications.
• American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology
• American Dental Association We also provide testing services to the oral healthcare com-
• Academy of General Dentistry munity, and information services and resources related to
• American Association of Orthodontists dental assisting credentialing to support DANB’s mission.
• Organization for Safety, Asepsis and Prevention To accomplish these critical outcomes, DANB is committed
• American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial to a properly governed, financially secure and
Radiology administratively sound organization.

The active DANB Board of Directors selects new Board

members from at least two qualified nominees for each
vacancy from the following organizations: ADA (two
directors), AADE (one), ADEA (one) and ADAA (three). The
remaining two Board Directors are a DANB Certificant-at-
large and a member of the public.

Timeline

Submit application, documentation, and fees

1-14 days Application and fees are processed (if incomplete,
DANB will contact you)
1-14 days Upon application approval, you will receive an email with
a link to schedule your exam appointment within your 60-
day testing window (also available in your online DANB

Exam day Receive preliminary exam results at testing center

2-3 weeks from exam date Receive official exam result and earned certificates

© 2019 Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. The DANB logo is a registered trademark of the Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. (DANB). NELDA®, CDA®, COA®, CRFDA®,
CPFDA®, CDPMA®, COMSA®, DANB®, and Dental Assisting National Board® are registered certification marks of DANB. RHS®, ICE®, and Measuring Dental Assisting
Excellence are registered service marks of DANB. CERTIFIED DENTALASSISTANT™ is a certification mark of DANB. Mark of Dental Assisting Excellence™ is a service mark of
DANB. Use of these marks is strictly prohibited, except as provided in the Usage Guidelines for DANB Trademarks, without the express written permission of DANB.

DANB is a member of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence. The National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), an Institute for Credentialing Excellence
commission with responsibility for accrediting certification programs, has evaluated DANB national certification programs (CDA and COA), including DANB
component exams (RHS, ICE, GC and OA), and finds that DANB programs meet NCCA’s highest standards, thus helping to assure validity, reliability and objectivity
in the testing process.

DANB has met the International Accreditation Service (IAS) Accreditation Criteria for Bodies Operating Certification of Persons (AC474) and has demonstrated
compliance with ISO/IEC Standard 17024:2012, Conformity assessment – General Requirements for Bodies Operating Certification of Persons and has been
accredited as a Personnel Certification Body, commencing September 22, 2015, to provide certifications for Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) and Certified Orthodontic Assistant (COA)
certifications.

DANB is dedicated to upholding impartiality in carrying out its certification activities, managing conflicts of interest, and ensuring the objectivity of its certification activities.

632.6 2019 Candidate Handbook 2

 About DANB Certifications and Exams

NELDA® Certification CPFDA® Certification

The purpose of the NELDA certification is to ensure that The purpose of CPFDA certification is to ensure that
individuals pursuing a career in dental assisting individuals meet minimum knowledge-based competence in
demonstrate entry-level knowledge-based competence in oral preventive functions important to the health and safety
tasks important to the health and safety of patients and oral of patients and oral healthcare workers. Earning CPFDA
healthcare workers. Earning NELDA certification certification demonstrates that the individual meets the
demonstrates the individual meets the national standard for national standard for knowledge in Coronal Polish (CP),
knowledge in Anatomy, Morphology and Physiology (AMP); Sealants (SE), and Topical Fluoride (TF) by passing these
Radiation Health and Safety (RHS); and Infection Control exams. There are no eligibility requirements to take the CP,
(ICE) by passing these exams. There are no eligibility SE and TF exams. To earn CPFDA certification the
requirements to take the AMP, ICE or RHS exams. To earn candidate must pass the three exams and meet the
NELDA certification the candidate must pass the three requirements of one of the CPFDA certification eligibility
exams and meet the requirements of one of the NELDA pathways within three years.
certification eligibility pathways within three years.
CRFDA® Certification
CDA® Certification The purpose of CRFDA certification is to ensure that
The purpose of the CDA certification is to ensure that candidates meet minimum knowledge-based competence
individuals demonstrate knowledge-based competence in restorative functions important to the health and safety of
regarding tasks important to the health and safety of patients and oral healthcare workers. Earning the CRFDA
patients and oral healthcare workers. Earning CDA certification demonstrates that the individual meets the
certification demonstrates that the individual meets the national standard for knowledge in Anatomy, Morphology &
national standard for knowledge in General Chairside Physiology (AMP), Impressions (IM), Temporaries (TMP),
Assisting (GC), Radiation Health and Safety (RHS), and Isolation (IS), Sealants (SE) and Restorative Functions (RF)
Infection Control (ICE) by passing these three exams. To by passing these exams. To earn CRFDA certification the
earn CDA certification, a candidate must pass all three candidate must pass all six exams within three years. There
exams within five years. There are no eligibility are no eligibility requirements to take the AMP, IM, TMP, IS
requirements to take the RHS and ICE component exams. and SE exams. The candidate must meet the requirements
The candidate must meet the requirements of one of the of one of the CRFDA certification eligibility pathways to take
CDA certification eligibility pathways to take the GC exam. the RF exam.

CDA certification is recognized or required in 32 states, plus Recognition of DANB’s RHS® Exam
the District of Columbia and is recognized or required to The RHS exam meets state radiography requirements* in
perform expanded functions or radiography procedures* in the District of Columbia and the following 22 states: Arizona,
Arkansas, Colorado, D.C., Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky,
Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, New
Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Dakota,
Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah,
Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Virginia and Wyoming.
Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas,
Vermont, Virginia and Washington. Recognition of DANB’s ICE® Exam
The ICE exam meets state infection control* requirements
COA® Certification in Connecticut, Iowa, New Hampshire, New York and North
The purpose of the COA certification is to ensure that Dakota.
individuals demonstrate knowledge-based competence
regarding tasks important to the health and safety of U.S. Military and Federal Agencies Recognition
patients and oral healthcare workers. Earning COA DANB’s CDA certification and RHS certificate of
certification demonstrates that the individual meets the knowledge- based competence meet the Department of
national standard for knowledge in Orthodontic Assisting Veterans Affairs requirement for expanded duties dental
(OA) and Infection Control (ICE) by passing these exams. assistant designation. The Indian Health Services and all
To earn COA certification, a candidate must pass both branches of the U.S. Military encourage DANB certification.
exams within a five-year period. There are no eligibility DANB’s CDA exam is approved for the GIs-to-Jobs program
requirements to take the ICE component exam. The under the Montgomery Bill.
candidate must meet the requirements of one of the COA
certification eligibility pathways to take the OA exam.

*Each state’s dental board implements regulations and establishes rules for delegating legally allowable duties to dental assistants. Passing one or more
DANB component exams or earning DANB certification only conveys authority to perform these duties in those states that recognize these exams or this
certification as meeting state dental assisting requirements. More information can be found at www.danb.org.
632.6 2019 Candidate Handbook 3
 Applying for an Exam

Submitting an Exam Application

Exam applications may be submitted online at Duplicate Exam Applications
www.danb.org, by mail, or by fax. If two applications are received for the same exam, both
completed applications will be processed, and duplicate
Signing and dating the application is required. By payments will be returned, minus the nonrefundable
signing and dating the application, the candidate affirms that processing fee.
the application and documentation are accurate and that the
candidate agrees to abide by all applicable DANB policies Returned Checks
described in this Candidate Handbook and the exam If a check is returned by the bank for any reason (including
application packet. This includes understanding that any but not limited to nonsufficient funds, stop payment, closed
stated processing fees are not refundable under any account or refer to maker), DANB will notify the candidate
circumstances. The signature allows DANB to release exam and assess a $25 nonsufficient funds (NSF) fee to the
results to state regulatory agencies. account. The candidate will not be allowed to take the exam
until a cashier’s check or money order for the exam fee plus
If the candidate works out of state, the candidate must the $25 NSF fee has been received. If full payment has not
fill in the work state on the application. Failure to include been received within 30 days, the application will be null and
out-of-state work information could affect the void and the candidate’s account will remain on finance
candidate’s ability to meet his/her state requirements, hold. The candidate must pay the $25 NSF and any
as the exam results will not be sent to the appropriate nonrefundable processing fees before DANB will remove
state regulatory agency. the finance hold and process any exam application. No new
business will be allowed for the candidate until the finance
Payment Instructions hold has been resolved.
DANB accepts payment by check, money order or credit
card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover). Incomplete Exam Applications
Check or money order payments must be payable to DANB It is the responsibility of the candidate to ensure the
in U.S. dollars, must be written in English, must include the application is complete. If an application is considered
candidate name and must be mailed with the exam incomplete, the candidate will be notified by email. A refund
application. The application is a contract to test, and the of the exam fee, minus the nonrefundable processing fee,
check or credit card authorization is the contract to pay. will be issued to the payer.

Background Information Policy An application is considered incomplete for reasons

including but not limited to:
DANB national exam applications contain three background
information questions that all exam candidates must • Missing information (e.g., candidate and/or
payment information, email address, background
answer. For details, see the Background Information Policy
information questions)
and Questions section in the exam application packet.
• Appropriate documentation is not enclosed
• No date or signature
Military Discount • Insufficient payment
See the exam applications for active military personnel • Expired exam application
exam fees. To receive the military discount, the candidate
must submit a letter from the commanding officer or an Group Testing
active military email address (this email address will be
Groups of seven or more candidates may request to take
verified by DANB upon approval of application). If a letter is any DANB exams on the same day, at the same test center.
provided, it must verify the candidate’s name, rank, station Download the Group Testing Form from www.danb.org.
(___location) and estimated date of separation.
DANB’s Nondiscrimination Policy
If documentation of active duty is not submitted, the
DANB does not discriminate in application, exam or
application is considered incomplete. certification activities on the basis of age, sex, gender
identity, marital status, race, color, religion, national origin,
Military personnel may schedule a DANB exam at sexual orientation or disability.
authorized Pearson VUE on- base military test centers. For
current on-base military test center locations, visit www. Retaking a Passed Exam
vue.com/danb. DANB certificants/candidates may take and pass DANB
exams only once unless directed to retake the exam by
DANB staff to reinstate a certification(s) or to meet state
regulatory requirements. If the individual is from the state of
New Mexico and applying for the DANB RHS exam, he/she
632.6 2019 Candidate Handbook 4
may take and pass the RHS exam no more than two (2) DANB adheres to the provisions outlined in the Americans
times in a 12-month period. with Disabilities Act. In accordance with this act, DANB will
make every reasonable effort to offer the exams in a manner
Any candidate who applies to take a DANB exam and has that is accessible to people with documented disabilities. If
previously passed that exam will be in violation of this policy auxiliary aids or alternative arrangements are required,
and will have their application denied and returned, with a DANB will attempt to make the necessary provisions, unless
refund minus the nonrefundable processing fee. providing such would fundamentally alter the measurement
of knowledge the exam is intended to test, would result in
undue burden, or would provide an unfair advantage to the
Retaking a Failed Exam disabled candidate.
If a candidate takes more than one component exam in a
single sitting but does not pass all the component exams, The candidate must request accommodations and submit
the candidate only needs to reapply for and retake the failed supporting documentation with the exam application
component exam(s) with a new application, required through his/her online account or with a paper application
documentation and fees. State laws may require additional
education after failed attempts. There is no limit on how The request forms and documentation must specify exactly
many times a candidate may retake a failed exam. what aid or modification is requested by a qualified
professional.
Candidates with Disabilities
DANB exams are designed to provide an equal opportunity DANB reserves the right to authorize the use of auxiliary
for each candidate to demonstrate his/her knowledge- aids or modifications in such a way as to maintain exam
based competence. The exam will be administered to best integrity and security. DANB exams are administered only
ensure that it accurately reflects a candidate’s aptitude or in the English language. Modifications will not be approved
achievement levels intended to be measured, rather than for a candidate who requests accommodations because
reflecting a candidate’s impaired sensory, manual or English is a second language.
speaking skills except where those skills are factors the
exam purports to measure.

Scheduling an Exam

Receiving Authorization to Test 60-Day Testing Window

Upon application and documentation (if required) approval, Once an application has been approved, the candidate will
the candidate will receive an email with a link to schedule be given a 60-day testing window in which they must
the exam appointment within their 60-day testing window schedule and take the exam. The window will start
(also available in the candidate’s online DANB account). immediately upon application approval.

The candidate should check their online DANB account for Scheduling an Exam Appointment
any errors and report them to DANB immediately at 1-800- The candidate should schedule the exam appointment as
367-3262. For example: soon as they receive an email from DANB, as appointments
• Exam name is incorrect may be limited within their 60-day testing window.
• Candidate’s name is spelled incorrectly Instructions are provided by email and within the
• Candidate’s ID reflects a different name (e.g., candidate’s online DANB account to schedule the exam
married, maiden, hyphenated, mother’s last name) appointment at a Pearson VUE ___location. Specific test center
locations, dates or times cannot be guaranteed; changes to
The name in the candidate’s online DANB account must test center locations and/or hours may occur without notice.
match the candidate’s ID exactly. The middle name does
not need to be spelled out, but the initial must match (e.g., “M” Exam Appointment Confirmation
on the ID and “Mary” in the account is acceptable and vice After the exam appointment is scheduled, Pearson VUE will
versa). If the candidate’s name is hyphenated, the ID must email an appointment confirmation. The candidate must
also show a hyphenated name (e.g., “John Doe-Smith” on read all correspondence from Pearson VUE, as it will
ID and “John Doe-Smith” in the candidate’s online DANB contain critical exam appointment information. Contact
account). Pearson VUE to request a duplicate confirmation email.

The candidate will not be allowed to take the exam if the Rescheduling an Exam Appointment
name on the ID does not match the registered name exactly, To reschedule an exam appointment within the 60-day
and the candidate would need to reapply. See the Missed testing window, the candidate must log in to their account at
Exam Appointment section in this packet for details. www.danb.org. The appointment may be rescheduled up to
24 hours before the scheduled appointment. Only the
candidate may reschedule an exam appointment.
632.6 2019 Candidate Handbook 5
 If another appointment is missed (for any reason except a
Requesting a New Testing Window
valid emergency) or the exam is not taken within the new
If a candidate cannot schedule or reschedule an exam
testing window, a current exam application with full fee
appointment before the end of his/her original 60-day
must be submitted; a candidate may request a new testing
testing window, he/she may request a new 60-day testing
window due to a missed exam appointment one time.
window one time. If the candidate does not take the exam
within the new testing window, a current exam application
with any required documentation and full fees must be Emergency Reschedule
submitted. Any testing window received at a reduced fee is If an exam appointment is missed due to a documented,
not eligible for a refund. DANB-accepted emergency, the candidate must:

To request a new testing window, the candidate must 1. Access their exam application within their online DANB
complete the following steps: account and click on the name of the missed exam,
AND
1. Access their exam application within their online DANB 2. Submit request and documentation for a new 60-day
account and click on the name of the exam to be testing window (the new testing window will start
rescheduled, AND immediately upon approval of the request) within 60
2. Cancel existing exam appointment at least 24 hours days of the missed appointment date
before the scheduled exam start time, AND
3. Submit request and fee for a new 60-day testing window Approved requests will receive a new 60- day testing
(the new testing window will start immediately upon window at no additional fee.
successful submission of the request) within 60 days
after the end of the original testing window If the emergency request is denied, the candidate will
receive an email with instructions on how to reschedule
Failure to cancel an exam appointment will result in their testing window at a reduced rate.
forfeiture of the full exam fee, and the application is null and
void. Call 1-800-367-3262 with any questions about what
constitutes an emergency and appropriate supporting
A candidate may request a new testing window only one documentation.
time. After the first request for a new testing window, a
current exam application with any required documentation Cancel Testing Window for a Partial Refund
and full fees must be submitted. If a candidate does not wish to take the DANB exam for
which he/she applied and would like to request a partial
Missed Exam Appointment refund; the candidate must complete the following steps:
If the candidate arrives more than 15 minutes after an exam
appointment start time, the candidate will be 1. Access their online DANB account and click on the
accommodated at the discretion of the test center name of the exam to be canceled, AND
administrator. If the administrator is unable to accommodate 2. Cancel existing exam appointment at least 24 hours
the candidate, or if the candidate does not take a scheduled before the scheduled exam start time, AND
exam because the candidate missed the appointment (for 3. Submit request to cancel the testing window before the
any reason except a valid emergency) or the candidate was end of the 60-day testing window.
denied entry, the candidate may reapply for the exam at a
reduced fee. Once approved, DANB will issue a refund minus the
cancellation fee and nonrefundable processing fee. All
To request a new testing window due to a missed exam refunds will be issued to the payer.
appointment, the candidate must complete the following
steps: Pearson VUE Cancelled Exam Appointment
In the event of weather or other emergency, Pearson VUE
1. Access their exam application within their online DANB will attempt to notify candidates by phone of an exam
account and click on the name of the missed exam, appointment cancellation and will reschedule the exam
AND appointment at no additional fee.
2. Submit request and reduced fee for a new 60-day
testing window (the new testing window will start
immediately upon successful submission of the
request) within 60 days of the missed appointment date

After 60 days, the candidate must reapply for the exam with
a new application, any required documentation and the full
fee.

632.6 2019 Candidate Handbook 6

 Taking an Exam

What to Bring to the Test Center purpose, without the prior express written permission of
Candidates must bring one form of DANB-accepted ID to DANB, will be subject to legal action. Any candidate or
the test center. certificant who engages in improper behavior also will be
subject to disciplinary action by DANB, which may include
The candidate’s ID must be: denial or revocation of certification or recertification. The
• Currently valid, non-expired test center administrator will notify DANB of anyone who
• Government-issued talks during the exam, gives or receives assistance, or
• Photo-bearing otherwise engages or appears to engage in dishonest or
• Signature-bearing improper behavior before, during or after the exam. Those
candidates may be required to cease taking the exam and
• In Roman characters
leave the test center.
• The exact name as listed in their online DANB
account
After reviewing a reported incident, DANB will determine
whether there is reason to believe that a candidate has
Test centers may use an electronic fingerprinting, palm vein
engaged in cheating or other improper behavior or has
and/or photographic security system for identification
otherwise violated the security of the exam. DANB may, at
purposes only. Test centers may use a video/audio
its discretion, pursuant to the procedures set forth in
recording system to enhance exam security. The candidate
DANB’s Disciplinary Policy & Procedures, take disciplinary
must not bring any reference materials or notes into any test
actions, including but not limited to the following:
center area. A locker will be provided at the test center to
• Order the candidate to retake the exam at a time
store any personal items. The candidate will be provided
and place to be determined by DANB
with an erasable note board and marker to use during the
exam. No visitors or unauthorized individuals will be • Invalidate or refuse to release the exam results of
the candidate
permitted in any test center area or building during testing
sessions. • Deny the candidate’s current application for
certification
• Require the candidate to wait a specified period of
Test Center Environment
time before reapplying to take the exam
The candidate will receive a tutorial before the exam to help
• Revoke the candidate’s eligibility to sit for future
the candidate navigate the exam. The tutorial is not a
exams
practice test. The candidate will be given 5 minutes to
complete the tutorial, which will not count against the time to • Take a combination of any of the above actions or
take the exam. There are no breaks during the exam. other action that DANB may deem appropriate.
Candidates may be excused to visit the restroom, one at a
If a test center administrator allows a candidate to take an
time. Candidates are not allowed to leave the building during
exam that the candidate is not registered for, those exam
the test time. During the absence, the exam time clock will
results will not be valid.
continue to run. No additional time will be provided.

Candidate Behavior Before, During and After the Exam Integrity

To ensure a consistently high-quality testing program, each
Exam Appointment. exam is routinely reviewed for reliability and validity. Each
The behavior or each candidate taking an exam will be exam question is statistically analyzed and evaluated for
monitored. Improper behavior is not acceptable before, performance. A small number of pretest questions appear
during or after an exam appointment. DANB seeks to ensure on each DANB national exam. Pretest questions are new
a fair and equitable testing experience for all individuals and test items that DANB includes on each exam as a way to
to ensure the security and reliability of the process. ensure they are accurate measures of candidate
DANB’s Disciplinary Policy & Procedures knowledge. Pretest questions are randomly distributed
document, which is available at www.danb.org, contains throughout the exam and are not counted in the final exam
examples of improper behavior. results. Since candidates will not know which items are
pretest questions, candidates should answer all exam
Exam Security questions to the best of their ability.
The exam is confidential. Any individual who removes or
attempts to remove testing-related materials from the test DANB’s Board establishes passing standards (the minimum
center, or who attempts to memorize, distribute or otherwise required to pass a particular DANB exam) using standard
misuse an exam, in whole or in part, in any form or by any psychometric procedures for criterion-referenced exams. A
means, verbal or written, electronic or mechanical, for any candidate is expected to perform at or above the Board-
established standard to pass each exam.

632.6 2019 Candidate Handbook 7

 After the Exam

Name Changes Duplicate Exam Results

To change the name on record, the candidate must submit The candidate must submit a Request for Duplicate Exam
a Name Change Request form (available at www.danb.org) Results form and the $50 fee for each official exam result
and required documentation. requested. Official exam results older than five years are not
available, although DANB will verify credentials earned
Address/Phone Changes more than five years ago.
To notify DANB of address changes, the candidate may log
in to their online DANB account to update this information Duplicate Certificates
or email [email protected]. The candidate must submit a Request for Duplicate
Certificate form and the $50 fee for each duplicate
DANB Communications certificate requested.
All communications sent to and from DANB are DANB’s
property. DANB cannot guarantee that communications will Current DANB certificants may request a duplicate
remain confidential; clients have no expectation of privacy certificate for the national NELDA, CDA, COA, CPFDA,
with respect to items sent or received. DANB may disclose CRFDA, COMSA and CDMPA certifications.
communications as necessary to comply with legal
processes. DANB responds to phone and email messages In addition, duplicate certificates of knowledge-based
within two business days. competence may be requested for the AMP, CP, IM, ICE,
IS, RHS, SE, TMP, TA and TF exams.

Hand Scoring The $50 duplicate certificate fee also applies for any reprint
DANB will hand score an exam on request. The candidate of a certificate due to a spelling error.
must submit a Request for Hand Scoring of Exam Results
form and a $75 hand scoring fee to DANB within 30 days Request a Notarized Certificate
after the date printed on the exam results received. Hand The candidate must submit a Request to Notarize a
scoring results are completed within 30 days of a request. If
Certificate form and notarization fee for each notarized
the pass/fail status is reversed as a result of the hand
certificate requested. Notarized certificate(s) will be mailed
scoring, the $75 fee will be refunded.
within 2-3 weeks.
Official Exam Results A $10 nonrefundable administrative fee will be required for
The candidate is not considered to have passed or failed an individuals who submit the request before their official exam
exam until DANB issues the official exam results. DANB will results and certificates or before their renewal certificates
mail the official exam results and any earned certificates are printed. A $60 fee ($10 administrative fee +
within two to three weeks after the exam administration. $50 duplicate certificate fee) will be required for individuals
who submit the request after their original certificate(s)
On the official exam results, DANB presents exam results as
has/have been printed and mailed. A $10 administrative fee
a pass or fail. DANB provides ___domain performance ratings
will be required for individuals who mail their original
for candidates who receive a fail status, which provide
useful information regarding performance in each of the certificate(s), along with the completed request form, to
content areas on the exam. Domain results are rated as DANB to be notarized.
Moderate or Critical. Domain performance ratings are
provided to assist a candidate while preparing to retake the Release of Exam Results
exam and cannot be used in any way to determine overall Exam pass/fail results will not be released to employers or
passing status. any individuals other than the candidate, except on written
request of the candidate. DANB releases official exam
Official exam results and certificates that are returned results or credential verifications to some state regulatory
because of an undeliverable address will be held for 90 agencies. DANB also releases aggregate results to
days. After the 90 days expires, the candidate must submit program directors for candidates who are graduates from or
a Request for Duplicate Exam Results form and/or a students in the program director’s dental assisting
Request for a Duplicate Certificate form with a $50 fee for programs.
each request.

632.6 2019 Candidate Handbook 8

Verification of Credentials Appealing a Decision
DANB will verify DANB certification, certificates of To appeal a DANB decision regarding eligibility,
knowledge-based competence and the effective date(s) administrative or exam content issues, a candidate may
over the phone to anyone on request, since these items are submit a Request for Reconsideration (Level 1 Appeal) form
matters of public record and may be disclosed. The and a $50 appeal fee to DANB’s Executive Director within
Candidate/Certificant Request for Credential Verification 30 calendar days of the date on the DANB correspondence
form is available at www.danb.org. Only a candidate, that prompts the candidate to appeal (e.g., date on the letter
certificant or employer may request written credential indicating the candidate’s application was incomplete, date
verification. DANB offers verification on its website. See the on candidate’s exam results). The policy and form
Application Statements for more details. governing appeals are available at www.danb.org

Conditional Status
DANB may grant a conditional authorization to take DANB
exams to a candidate who answered “yes” to a background
information question and is in the process of completing
court or regulatory agency requirements. Conditional status
will be offered to an exam candidate only in certain
circumstances at DANB’s discretion. A candidate who has
been placed on conditional status will receive an official
exam result and a certificate marked “conditional,” if earned.

If a person is conditionally certified or has received a

conditional certificate of knowledge-based competence
and/or official exam results, this means that the certification,
certificate and/or results will remain valid only if certain
conditions are met in a timely manner. In many cases, the
conditions will include fulfillment of all obligations to a court
of law or regulatory agency. Full details about conditional
certification, certificates of knowledge-based competence
and official exam results and related processes and
procedures will be provided to each individual who is placed
on conditional status by DANB.

Certification Marks and Maintaining Certification

Certificants may use their certification marks:
• On a resume
• On a business card
• On a website
• In a book or publication
• In other print and electronic media
• On a nametag or uniform worn at work
• On a wall plaque displayed at the certificant’s
workplace

If a certificant earned certification in the past but has not

maintained certification, he/she may no longer use the
mark.

To maintain certification a certificant must annually:

• Earn the minimum of Continuing Dental Education
(CDE) credits
• Answer Background Information Questions
• Maintain DANB-accepted, hands-on CPR, BLS or
ACLS
• Pay the renewal fee

The requirements enhance the continued competence of

DANB certificants and promote DANB’s goal of lifelong
professional learning and development for its certificants.
For more information, please go to www.danb.org.

632.6 2019 Candidate Handbook 9