Orthodontic Assistant Permit

Description

Requirements to Obtain an Orthodontic Assistant (OA) Permit

• Submit a completed Application for Orthodontic Assistant Permit Examination and Licensure. as described in the Application section below.
• Pay the non-refundable application fee of $120.
• Provide documentation of completing all courses listed in the Required Courses section below.
• Provide evidence of completing a Basic Life Support course as described below.
• Submit fingerprints by Live Scan or card for the purpose of a background check, as described in the Background Check section below.
• Pass the Orthodontic Assistant Written Examination described in the Written Examination section below.

To apply for the Orthodontic Assistant Permit Examination

• Orthodontic Assistant Course.
• 4-hour course in Ultrasonic Scaling (completed within 5 years before the date the application is received by the Board).
• 2-hour course in the California Dental Practice Act (completed within 2 years before the date the application is received by the Board).
• 8-hour course in Infection Control (completed within 2 years before the date the application is received by the Board).
• Current certification in Basic Life Support issued by the American Red Cross (ARC), the American Heart Association (AHA), the American Safety and Health Institute (ASHI), the American Dental Association’s Continuing Education Provider Recognition (CERP) program, or the Academy of General Dentistry’s Program Approval for Continuing Education (PACE).

Submit fingerprint clearances from both the Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Identification. This process can take 60 days or more. If an applicant has a criminal history, arrest report and court records must be obtained and investigated before a decision is made to issue or deny the license.

Once the Board approves your completed Application for Orthodontic Assistant Examination and Permit, you will be authorized to take the written examination. The Board will send an authorization notice to your address of record which will include instructions to schedule your examination.

Issuance of the OA Permit

After you have submitted a complete application, passed the Orthodontic Assistant Examination, obtained fingerprint clearances, and qualified for licensure, a pocket identification card and wall certificate will be issued to you. There is no additional fee for the initial issuance of the OA Permit. A person who holds a permit is subject to the continuing education requirements established by the Board pursuant to BPC section 1645 and to the renewal requirements of BPC sections 1715 et seq. A permit holder is also responsible for obtaining recertification in BLS as part of permit renewal.