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 NDAEB eligibility, Graduates of a non-registered program (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) at a later date. The CPE includes a clinical evaluation of nine (9) intra-oral skills performed on a manikin, including: intra-oral radiography, obtains impressions for study casts, applies and removes dental dam, performs selective coronal polishing, applies and removes matrix band and wedge, applies treatment liner (no pulpal involvement), applies fluoride, applies pit and fissure sealant and 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 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 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.
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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
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. Please refer to the list of schools on our website.
Applicants should be aware that while the NDAEB recognizes upgrading completed at schools listed on its 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.
CPE Candidate Handbook
The NDAEB written exam constitutes Part I of the mandatory two-part NDAEB certificate for international applicants. Part II requires the successful completion of the NDAEB Clinical Practice Evaluation (CPE). For details on the CPE, please see the CPE Candidate Handbook.
Written Exam Candidate Handbook
When applying to write the NDAEB exam, please read the information on the exam application and in the Candidate Handbook carefully. Details regarding all aspects of exam administration, including application processing, exam preparation and post exam administrative details are available in the Candidate Handbook.
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, candidates must follow the steps below:
Step #1: Graduates of a Non-Registered Program Credential Verification
Candidates must have their credentials verified by either the NDEB Equivalency or one of the following approved credential assessment agencies:
Method 1
Graduates of non-registered programs may have their credentials verified by an NDAEB recognized agency specializing in the authentication and comparison of foreign academic credentials to the Canadian education system.
If the candidate wishes to submit their agency report to the NDAEB, their report must be notarized in Canada by a notary public, commissioner of oaths, or lawyer. The NDAEB will not accept reports non-notarized if received from the candidate.
The NDAEB recognizes reports from the following three 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: Basic Certificate
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 Must order a Duplicate Report for the NDAEB to access the WES report online. Click the box below for more information.
Method 2
Graduates of non-registered programs may, under the NDAEB Equivalency Process policy, submit their credential approval from the National Dental Examining Board (NDEB). As proof of NDEB approval, candidates may provide a copy (screenshot) of their “NDEBConnect” online profile which must show.
- “NDEBConnect” online profile header;
- Photo and Personal Contact Information;
- Applicant information clearly demonstrating “approved” status;
- Graduation date and academic Institution
It is at the NDAEB’s discretion whether a copy (screenshot) of the NDEB profile page will be acceptable. Candidates will be contacted directly by the NDAEB if further NDEB documentation is required.
Step #2: NDAEB Eligibility Assessment
Submit the agency report obtained in Step #1 to the NDAEB along with the following payments and documents:
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$320.00 credential assessment fee, made payable to “NDAEB” by money order or bank draft only. NDAEB does not accept credit or debit cards, personal cheques or cash. If the draft is incorrectly addressed, you will be contacted to reissue a new draft.
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Copies of academic transcripts and diploma that have been 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 notarized as true copies of the original by a commissioner of oaths, notary public, or lawyer in Canada. Documents notarized in another country are not acceptable except those that were notarized by Canadian staff at a Canadian embassy or consulate abroad. Please do not send original documents. All submitted documents become the property of NDAEB and will not be returned. Once an application is received, documents are converted into a digital-only format for verification and reference, and the submitted copies are immediately and securely shredded.
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A completed Dental Assisting Course Work Report (Available here as a PDF document on the NDAEB website). All candidates submitting documents for assessment must complete this report. Please make sure all contact information is provided and make sure to read and review carefully and sign and date the candidate declaration on the last page. Incomplete DACWR will not be accepted, and you may be contacted to resubmit a new complete DACWR.
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A dated and signed consent form permitting the NDAEB to gather and disclose your personal information to members of the Candidate Eligibility Assessment Committee (Available with the Dental Assisting Course Work Report).
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If the name appearing on the academic records or other documents is different than the name of the applicant, a certified true copy of a marriage or divorce certificate or sworn affidavit is required for NDAEB to verify and reconcile the name of the applicant with the name appearing on the documents being submitted. Documents must be notarized in a Canada. Please do not send original documents. All submitted documents become the property of NDAEB and will not be returned. Once an application is received, documents are converted into a digital-only format for verification and reference, and the submitted copies are immediately and securely shredded.
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Graduates of a Dental Assisting program (or other equivalent formal allied dental health care program- Dentistry Graduates are exempt from this requirement) are required to complete the Program Survey form attached to the DACWR for NDAEB to contact the candidates’ school to directly obtain a Program Survey clearly indicating the mandatory core skills required for NDAEB eligibility were included in the program. If the institution does not return the program survey, your application status will remain as “pending” until the survey is received.
*Please do not send a course outline to the NDAEB, we will contact the school if a program survey is required.
All documents must be mailed to the NDAEB office in Ottawa.
National Dental Assisting Examining Board
204-2283 St. Laurent Boulevard
Ottawa, Ontario K1G 5A2
Please note: A candidate portal will be created by NDAEB upon receipt of an application at the office. Upon receipt of all required documents, the NDAEB will review and consider your eligibility to challenge the Clinical Practice Evaluation (CPE) followed by the Theory Exam (TE) at a later date.
Do not register for the CPE or Theory Exam (TE) until such time as you have received an NDAEB eligible Letter
Graduates of a Non-Registered Program CEAC/CAO approval timeline
Documents required for credential assessment must be received by the NDAEB office at least three (3) weeks prior to the Clinic Practice Evaluation (CPE) registration date. Documents received within three (3) weeks of the registration date will not be guaranteed assessment for CPE eligibility for the applied evaluation. For a list of available CPE sessions
For a list of available CPE sessions, Theory Exam dates and registration & application deadlines, please visit our website. Clinical Practice Evaluation (CPE), Theory Exam (TE)
Important Information When Submitting Documents
Upon receipt of all required documents, the NDAEB will then review your application for NDAEB eligibility, and you will be issued either an Eligible or ineligible letter based on your assessment outcome.
Please note if you are missing documents your application will remain as pending, and you will be contacted by the NDAEB.
The NDAEB will create a candidate portal upon receipt of your application.
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 www.ndaeb.ca.
The NDAEB assumes no responsibility for candidates choosing to 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 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 Practical Evaluation (CPE) and Theory Exam (TE) are available only in Canada. Persons applying for exam NDAEB eligibility from outside Canada must be aware that the granting of NDAEB eligibility in no way assures or implies acceptance for immigration or entry to Canada, nor does it guarantee the likelihood or possibility of attaining employment in Canada. For information regarding Canadian immigration policy and procedures, please contact 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.