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United States · Certification exam

DANB certification renewal

Every DANB certification lasts one year, so you renew it annually. For one certification, such as the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA), DANB renewal means earning 12 continuing dental education (CDE) credits, keeping a DANB-accepted hands-on CPR, Basic Life Support (BLS) or Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) card current, answering three background questions and paying $75. You renew online in your Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) account, and you keep proof of your CDE and CPR in case DANB audits you.

  • 1 yearHow long each DANB certification lasts
  • 9 weeksBefore expiry, when DANB emails you
  • 3 monthsGrace period after your expiration date
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Updated October 2026 · Written from official sources, listed at the bottom of this page

DANB renewal fees

ItemFeeCDE credits
One certification$7512
Two certifications$9018
Three certifications$11024
Four certifications$13030
Five certifications$15036
Six certifications$17042
Late fee, renewing in the grace period$20Not applicable

Renewal fees are nonrefundable. The figures are from DANB’s 2026 Recertification Requirements.

What are the DANB renewal requirements for CDE?

  • Every year, at least 1 credit on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Bloodborne Pathogens standard and 2 on infection prevention, control or safety. They count toward your total, not on top of it.
  • Programs must last at least 45 minutes and are counted in 15-minute steps, so an hour is 1 credit.
  • Clinical practice topics, such as dental materials, four-handed dentistry, radiology and expanded functions, are Category 1. Office management courses count for up to 3 credits, and dental volunteer work for up to 3.
  • Passing another DANB exam earns 6 credits, or 12 if it has 100 or more questions. The exams for your first certification don’t count.
  • CPR, BLS and ACLS courses don’t count as CDE.
  • Credits last two years, so extra ones can carry over to your next renewal. Keep proof for two years in case of an audit.
DANB: 2026 Recertification Requirements (PDF) ↗

How to renew your DANB certification

  1. Keep your DANB-accepted, hands-on CPR, BLS or ACLS current.
  2. Earn the CDE credits for the number of certifications you hold during your renewal period.
  3. Log in to your DANB account and click Renew Now in the notifications on your dashboard, or send the paper renewal form by mail or fax.
  4. Answer the background information questions and pay the fee.

DANB emails you nine weeks before your expiration date and mails a letter five weeks before, but you must renew whether or not a notice reaches you, so keep your email address up to date. Your new certificate and wallet card follow unless you’re picked for an audit.

Employers and others can check your status with DANB’s online credential verification, which shows the credentials you hold, when you earned them and your city and state.

DANB: Renew Certification ↗DANB: Verify Credentials ↗

If you miss your renewal date

You have until the end of a three-month grace period to finish everything, including earning credits. DANB’s example: if your certification expires on June 1, the grace period ends on September 1. You’re still treated as certified during that time, but DANB adds the late fee.

After the grace period you’re no longer DANB certified, and you can’t use DANB’s certification marks. Getting a lapsed CDA back may take a reinstatement fee, proof of CDE and CPR, and in some cases retaking some or all of the exams. A lapsed National Entry Level Dental Assistant (NELDA) certification can’t be reinstated. Email recertification@danb.org to ask about your options.

If you’re retiring or can no longer work because of a disability, you may qualify for DANB’s honorary emeritus status instead.

DANB: Maintain Certification ↗How to earn the CDA →
Sources: DANB and 5 more. Checked October 2026.

Rules and fees can change, so check the official site before your test.

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