General Information for Graduates of a Non-Registered Program
Graduates of a non-registered program (GNRP) who have successfully completed an intra-oral dental assisting program, or equivalent dental program such as dentistry or dental hygiene, who meet the theoretical and clinical education requirements in the national core skills as outlined in the NDAEB Dental Assisting Domain Description, may apply for NDAEB eligibility. Once NDAEB eligibility is granted, you may register to take the NDAEB Clinical Practice Evaluation (CPE) followed by the Theory Exam (TE).
Graduates of a Non-Registered Program (GNRP) are applicants whose program has not been accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada (CDAC).
To be eligible to write the NDAEB examination, applicants must be qualified as intra-oral (Level II) dental assistants, through formal dental assisting education or other formal allied dental healthcare educational programs such as dentistry or dental hygiene. Candidates must show proof of formal education in the following mandatory skills:
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Chairside dental assisting (Level I)
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Exposes dental radiographs
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Provides oral hygiene instruction
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Provides dietary counselling relative to oral health
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Applies and removes dental dam
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Performs selective rubber cup polishing
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Applies anti-cariogenic agents
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Obtains preliminary impressions
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Applies and removes matrices and wedges
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Applies treatment liners (no pulpal involvement), acid etch and bonding materials
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Applies pit and fissure sealant
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Applies desensitizing agents
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Applies topical anaesthetic
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Performs tooth whitening using trays
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Performs suture removal
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The NDAEB requires applicants to be educated to perform the mandatory skills as the operator as opposed to assisting a dentist with the procedure.
Graduates of a Non-Registered Program and the CPE
After receiving formal NDAEB eligibility, Graduates of non-registered programs (GNRP) are required to complete a mandatory two-part NDAEB certificate process which includes the Clinical Practice Evaluation (CPE) followed by the Theory Exam (TE) upon successful completion of the CPE.
The CPE includes a clinical evaluation of nine (9) intra-oral skills performed on a manikin, including:
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Skill 1: Exposes digital radiographic images
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Skill 2: Obtains impressions for study models
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Skill 3: Applies and removes dental dam
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Skill 4: Selective coronal polishing
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Skill 5: Applies treatment liner
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Skill 6: Applies and removes matrix band and wedge
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Skill 7: Applies anti-cariogenic topical fluoride gel
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Skill 8: Applies pit and fissure sealant
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Skill 9: Applies topical anesthetic
Following successful completion of the CPE, you will be required to successfully complete Part II, the NDAEB Theory Exam (TE), before your NDAEB certificate will be issued.
Rather than take the CPE, Graduates of non-registered programs (GNRP) may choose to voluntarily attend an intra-oral upgrading program at a registered dental assisting school accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada (CDAC) whose graduates are eligible with the NDAEB. Upgrading programs in lieu of CPE must include both the theory and in school clinical components of all intra-oral skills evaluated on the CPE. Additionally, programs must prepare their students to perform the intra-oral skills as the operator as well as assisting a dentist with the procedures.
Be advised, only education upgrading completed at a dental assisting program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada (CDAC) will be granted exemption on the CPE by the NDAEB. Education upgrading completed at a registered dental assisting program not accredited by CDAC will not be accepted for exemption and the CPE may be required.
Applicants should be aware that while the NDAEB recognizes upgrading completed at schools listed on this website, some Canadian Dental Assisting Regulatory Authorities (CDARA) may require non-accredited program graduates to complete the Clinical Practice Evaluation prior to considering them for licensure or registration.
Eligibility Assessment Request
Click here to complete the required eligibility assessment for graduates of non-registered programs to determine eligibility with the NDAEB. Please review this page carefully and ensure you have all required documentation available prior to submitting your application.
CPE Candidate Handbook
Click here to access comprehensive information about the Clinical Practice Evaluation (CPE) - Part I of the two-part NDAEB Certification pathway for graduates of non-registered programs.
Theory Exam Candidate Handbook
Click here to access comprehensive information about the Theory Exam (TE) – Part II of the two-part NDAEB Certification pathway for graduates of non-registered programs upon successful completion of the CPE.
Application Procedure for Graduates of a Non-Registered Program
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The requirement for the NDAEB certificate is determined by the Canadian Dental Assisting Regulatory Authorities (CDARA)
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You are advised to confirm the requirement for the NDAEB certificate in the province where you intend to work before applying to the NDAEB.
Applicants who have completed formal dental assisting or other dental health care related training programs outside Canada (e.g. including dentistry or dental hygiene) must have their theoretical and clinical education assessed by the NDAEB Candidate Eligibility Assessment Committee (CEAC) to determine NDAEB eligibility.
To be considered for NDAEB eligibility, please follow the steps below:
Step #1: Graduates of Non-Registered Programs Credential Verification
A. Graduates of any Canadian non-registered program – Applicants from a Canadian allied dental health program (that is not a registered dental assisting program listed on the NDAEB website), do not require a third-party agency credential assessment. This includes for example, graduates of dentistry, dental hygiene, dental technician, etc.
Please continue to Step 2 for the NDAEB eligibility assessment process.
B. Graduates of Programs Outside of Canada – Applicants from any dental health program trained outside of Canada (that is not listed as a registered eligible program on the NDAEB website. This includes dentists, dental hygienists, dental assisting or other allied health care programs), are required to submit their academic transcripts, diploma, and any other supporting documents to one of the following Canadian credential agencies that specialize in academic credential assessments: WES, ICES or IQAS. Alternatively, candidates may submit proof of eligibility with the National Dental Examining Board (NDEB) in lieu of (instead of) an agency’s report.
Note: **Candidates submitting a copy of their agency report to NDAEB must have the document certified/notarized as a true copy of the original by a Notary Public, Commissioner of Oaths, or lawyer in Canada. Non-notarized reports will only be accepted if sent directly by the agency to the NDAEB office electronically.
The NDAEB recognizes reports from the following agencies:
International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES)
3700 Willingdon Avenue
Burnaby, BC V5G 3H2
Telephone: 604-432-8800
Report Required: Comprehensive Report
International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS)
C/O Service Alberta Mailroom - Commerce Place
10155 102 Street
Edmonton, AB T5J 4G8
Telephone: 780-427-2655
Report Required:
Specialized Certificate
Assessment for work or study – How to apply | Alberta.ca
List of Professional Regulatory Organizations Using IQAS, March 2026
World Education Services - Canada (WES)
130 Adelaide Street W, 8th Floor
Toronto, Ontario M5H 0A1
Telephone: 780-427-2655
Report Required: ICAP Course-By-Course Report
Applicants are encouraged to order a duplicate report sent electronically by WES to the NDAEB to access your report online.
National Dental Examining Board (NDEB)
340 Albert Street
12th Floor
Ottawa, ON K1R 7Y6
Telephone: 613-236-5912
info@ndeb-bned.ca
Proof of Equivalency Required:
Applicants must provide the photo and personal information page, the closed “approved” status page and the school and graduating year page from the NDEB Connect profile.
Step #2: NDAEB Eligibility Assessment
Please have the notarized agency report or NDEB equivalency obtained in step 1 (if applicable to your program) along with the following documents prepared before application submission:
**Graduates of Canadian non-registered programs skip this step.
- Copies of academic transcripts, diploma, and any other supporting documentation that have been certified/notarized as true copies of the original by a notary public, lawyer, or commissioner of oaths in Canada. If original documents are not in English or French, translated copies must also be submitted and must be certified/notarized as true copies of the original by a commissioner of oaths, notary public, or lawyer in Canada. *Translator only certified academic documents will not be accepted.
*Documents issued both inside and outside of Canada must be certified/notarized. - A proof of name change: if the name appearing on the academic records or other documents submitted to the NDAEB is different from the name used on your application, proof of name change is required. This may include a marriage or divorce certificate, an affidavit, or proof of legal name change. If the original documents are not in English or French, translated copies must also be submitted and must also be certified/notarized.
*Documents issued both inside and outside of Canada must be certified/notarized by the commissioner of oaths, notary public, or lawyer in Canada. - Profile Photo: (Digital photo):
- Photo must be in colour
- Taken against a plain white or light-coloured background (passport-style)
- Must be high resolution (no low-quality images)
- Do not submit a photo of a government ID (e.g., passport or driver’s license)
- Photo must not be altered, filtered, or enhanced
- Program Survey Form: If you have graduated as a Dental Hygienist (DH), Dental Assistant (DA) or from an other allied dental healthcare program, have the program contact information (including name, and direct email) ready to include on the program survey form within the application. The NDAEB will contact the program directly to determine curriculum content. If the institution does not return the program survey, a candidate’s application status will remain “pending” until the survey is received. *The Program Survey is a requirement of eligibility for the above-mentioned programs.
- The $320.00 CAD credential assessment fee (non-refundable): a small non-refundable credit processing fee applies. The assessment fee is assessed once per applicant and payable by credit card at the time of application. A receipt for payment will be available through the applicant’s Candidate Portal 5-10 business days after submission of the application.
Step #3: Upon receipt of the online application, a candidate portal will be created by NDAEB personnel, and you will be assigned an NDAEB ID number.
*If the NDAEB requires further documentation or clarification, you will be contacted through the candidate portal. Please include your NDAEB ID # in any of your communication with our office.
*Please retain your notarized documents in the event NDEAB requires them to be mailed to the office for verification.
Once all required documents are received, the NDAEB will review and consider your eligibility.
Do not register for the CPE or Theory Exam (TE) until you have received your NDAEB eligibility letter indicating a status of “Eligible”.
Step #4: Graduates of Non-Registered Programs CEAC/CAO approval timeline
Please allow 4-6 weeks for review. Applications for NDAEB Eligibility Assessment must be received by the NDAEB office at least three (3) weeks prior to the Clinical Practice Evaluation (CPE) application deadline date for graduates of non-registered programs (GNRP). Applications received after this deadline will not be guaranteed assessment for CPE eligibility for the applied evaluation.
For a list of available CPE and Theory Exam dates and application deadlines, please click here website.
Educational Upgrading
Ineligible NDAEB GNRP Applicants:
In the event your dental assisting (or other equivalent formal allied dental health care) program does not meet the standard required for NDAEB eligibility, or if mandatory intra-oral skills are missing, you will be directed by NDAEB to voluntarily attend an educational upgrading program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada (CDAC).
Eligible NDAEB GNRP Applicants:
Rather than challenge the CPE, graduates of a non-registered program (GNRP) may choose to voluntarily attend an intra-oral upgrading program at a registered dental assisting school accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada (CDAC) whose graduates are eligible with the NDAEB. Upgrading programs in lieu of CPE must include both the theory and in school clinical components of all intra-oral skills evaluated on the CPE. Additionally, programs must prepare their students to perform the intra-oral skills as the operator as well as assisting a dentist with the procedures.
Be advised, only education upgrading completed at a dental assisting program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accredited of Canada (CDAC) will be granted exemption on the CPE by the NDAEB. Education upgrading completed at a registered dental assisting program not accredited by CDAC will not be accepted for exemption and the CPE may be required.
For a list of schools and their accreditation status, please refer to the NDAEB website.
The NDAEB assumes no responsibility for candidates choosing to attend non-accredited dental assisting education programs which may not be acceptable to the provincial Dental Assisting Regulatory Authority (DARA) for licensure/registration purposes.
Please note, entrance requirements to dental assisting education programs are set by the schools, not the NDAEB. Should you choose to attend educational upgrading in Canada, please submit your academic transcript to the NDAEB (office@ndaeb.ca) upon successful completion for eligibility reassessment.
For information regarding provincial regulation and employment in the dental assisting profession, please contact the Canadian Dental Assisting Regulatory Authority (CDARA) in the Canadian province you intend to work in. The NDAEB website includes a section on regulation and licensure for your information.
Working in Canada as a Dental Assistant
The NDAEB Clinical Practice Evaluation (CPE) and Theory Examination (TE) are offered only in Canada. Individuals applying for NDAEB eligibility from outside the country should understand that being granted eligibility does not guarantee approval for immigration or entry into Canada. It also does not ensure that employment will be available. For details about immigration requirements and processes, applicants should contact the appropriate Canadian immigration authorities.
In most Canadian jurisdictions, provincial registration/certification/licensure is required before you are able to work as a dental assistant. Please contact the appropriate Canadian Dental Assisting Regulatory Authority or dental assisting association for information. See the list on this web site in the area Registration and Licensure.