Resources for Dental Professionals

Effective July 1, 2025, registration will no longer be required to practice as a dental assistant in Iowa. Registration continues to be an option for those who are interested. Please note that Iowa law still requires dental assistants who take x-rays to obtain and hold a current qualification in dental radiography.

Registration/qualification numbers begin with one of the following designations. 

• RDA: Registered Dental Assistant一No Radiography Qualification
• QDA: Registered Dental Assistant with a Radiography Qualification
• XDA: Radiography Qualification一Non-Registered Dental Assistants and Licensed Nurses

Dental Radiography Qualification

As referenced in the section above, dental assistants who take dental x-rays are still required to hold an active qualification in dental radiography pursuant to Iowa Code Chapter 136C. Dental assistants who choose not to renew the registration will have the option to renew and maintain the qualification in dental radiography.

Information about Renewal

Dental assistants who currently hold a registration (RDA), or a registration and qualification in dental radiography (QDA), will need to submit a renewal application if they want to renew the registration and/or radiography qualification. 

Dental assistants who choose to not renew a registration and/or radiography qualification, do not need to take any action. On Nov. 1, 2025, registrations and qualifications that were not renewed will lapse and become invalid for practice.

Renewal Options for Current Dental Assistants Who Hold a Registration and Qualification

If submitting a renewal, dental assistants who hold a registration and radiography qualification (QDA) will need to indicate the preference for renewal. Below is information and summary of the renewal options that will be available.

• Remain a Registered & Qualified Dental Assistant (QDA)
  • Answer "Yes" to the question about whether to renew the registration.
  • The database will have the dental assistant complete the typical QDA renewal.
  • The dental assistant's registration number will remain the same.
• Renew Only the Radiography Qualification without Registration (XDA)
  • Answer "No" to the question about whether to renew the registration.
  • The database will have the dental assistant complete the standard XDA renewal application.
  • A new XDA number will be issued, and be reflected on the e-card received following renewal.
    • A new certificate will not be issued. The e-card will serve as your evidence of current qualification in dental radiography.

If you are uncertain about whether or not to renew your registration, you have until Oct. 31, 2025, to make a decision regarding renewal. Additionally, please consult your employer to verify what requirements or preferences, if any, he or she may have.

• Infection Control & Jurisprudence
• Dental Radiography

New Rules Effective April 9, 2025

• Jurisprudence for Dental Professionals - v. April 9, 2025 (5.66 MB) .pdf
  • Includes the recently-published rule changes now located in Iowa Administrative Code 481.
  • Includes Iowa Code chapters 153, 147, 272C (2025).
  • This may be used in conjunction with the jurisprudence examination. 

• Central Regional Testing Service, Inc. (CRDTS): Patient-based and manikin-based exams.
• Commission on Dental Competency Assessments (CDCA): Patient-based and manikin-based exams.
• Western Regional Examining Board (WREB) Scheduled to merge with CDCA in 2022-2023: Patient-based exam. (Manikin-based exam accepted for RDH.)
• States Resources for Testing & Assessments (SRTA): Patient-based exam.
• Council of Interstate Testing Agencies (CITA): Patient-based exam.

Applicants for licensure or registration with the Iowa Dental Board that have a criminal history conviction, may petition the Board for a decision regarding licensure or registration prior to submitting the application for license or registration.

Note: There is a fee of $25 for review of the petition.

You may access the Petition for Determination of Eligibility for Licensure or Registration here. (127.93 KB) .pdf

Federal Agencies

Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)

EPA Region 7 (Midwest)

Occupational Health & Safety Administration (OSHA)

Agencies with the State of Iowa

• DHHS: Dental & Oral Health
• DHHS: Radiological Health
• Iowa OSHA

Dental & Professional Associations

• American Dental Association
• Iowa Dental Association
• Iowa Dental Hygienists' Association
• Iowa Dental Assistants Association

• Continuing Education Overview
• Contact Information for Continuing Education Providers

• Mandatory Reporter Training Course
• Mandatory Reporter Training FAQs

Effective July 1, 2019, licensees and registrants who practice in Iowa, must complete training through the Department of Health and Human Services and renew the training every three years thereafter. Credit can be claimed for completing courses.

Note: The DHHS core training is awarded two hours for each section completed, for a possible total of four hours. 

• 2026 Iowa Dental Board Jurisprudence Webinar (with audio)
• Iowa Dental Board Jurisprudence Course Completion Form
• 2026 Iowa Dental Board Jurisprudence PowerPoint Slides (no audio)

After watching the webinar, complete the course completion form. You will receive an email with your responses following the submission of the form. Keep the email with your continuing education records.

You may also complete a  course via one of the providers listed here.

• DEA Mate Act Training Requirements Letter
• ADA FAQ MATE Act Training Requirement

American Dental Association Training Courses

• Integrating Controlled Substance Risk Assessment and Management into Dental Practice

American Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons Training Course

• American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons DEA-Approved MATE Act Training

Laws are contained in the Iowa Code. They are enacted by the Iowa Legislature and provide statutory authority to the professional licensure boards.

• Chapter 153 — Dentistry

New rules became effective April 9, 2025.

Iowa Administrative Code 481

• Ch. 570 — Dental Board Administration
• Ch. 571 — Dental Board Fees
• Ch. 572 — Dental Licensure, Registration, Renewal, Reactivation and Reinstatement
• Ch. 573 — Dental Continuing Education
• Ch. 574 — General Requirements and Standards of Practice
• Ch. 575 — Dental Assistants, Dental Radiography Qualifications, and Dental Laboratory Technicians
• Ch. 576 — Dental Hygienists
• Ch. 577 — Expanded Functions
• Ch. 578 — Prescribing, Administering, and Dispensing Drugs
• Ch. 579 — Sedation and Nitrous Oxide
• Ch. 580 — Dental Board Complaints and Investigations
• Ch. 581 — Dental Board Discipline

New Rules Effective April 9, 2025

• Jurisprudence for Dental Professionals - v. April 9, 2025 (5.66 MB) .pdf
  • Includes the recently-published rule changes now located in Iowa Administrative Code 481.
  • Includes Iowa Code chapters 153, 147, 272C (2025).

Role of Iowa Dentists in Managing Sleep-Related Breathing Disorders (198.81 KB) .pdf

Drake University Head Start spoke at a recent board meeting regarding early childhood exams required for participation in some programs. Drake University provided the current form for use and reference by dental offices.

Early Childhood Dental Examination Form (137.33 KB) .pdf

DDS/DMD: Dental License on the Basis of Exam:* $200

DDS/DMD: Dental License on the Basis of Credentials or Verification: $550

Fee for Background Check Packet: $46

DDS/DMD: Faculty Permit: $200

MS: Moderate Sedation Permit: $500

GA: General Anesthesia Permit: $500

DDS/DMD: Resident License: $120

Resident License Extension: $40

*Applicants who were issued and held a license in another state for more than 12 months must apply on the basis of credentials or verification.

RDH: Dental Hygiene License on the Basis of Exam:* $100

RDH: Dental Hygiene License Application on the Basis of Credentials or Verification: $200

Fee for Background Check Packet: $46

LA: Local Anesthesia Permit Application: $70

RDH: Faculty Permit: $200

RDH: Resident License: $120

Resident License Extension Application: $40

*Applicants who were issued and held a license in another state for more than 12 months must apply on the basis of credentials or verification.

RDA: Dental Assistant Registration (without Radiography Qualification): $40

QDA: Dental Assistant Registration & Radiography Qualification (combined): $60

QDA or XDA: Dental Radiography Qualification: $40

Effective Jan. 1, 2021, pursuant to HF 2627, individuals whose household adjusted gross income does not exceed 200% of the federal poverty level may request a waiver of application fees related to an initial application for license or registration. Please note: The fee waiver does not extend to applications for renewal, reinstatement or reactivation. 

To determine eligibility, you must first identify the number of individuals in your household. Once this is determined, reference the Federal Poverty Level and identify the income that matches the number of individuals in your household. If your household adjusted gross income, as reported on your most recent federal tax return, is less than the identified value, you are eligible for the one-time fee waiver. 

DOCUMENTATION FOR QUALIFICATION OF WAIVER
If you wish to apply for a fee waiver you must attest that your household adjusted gross income does not exceed 200% and agree to submit documentation of one of the following to verify your household income:

1. If you are married and filed separately, you will need to submit the Federal Tax Return for both your spouse and yourself.
2. If you were claimed as a dependent on another person’s tax return, you will need to submit the Federal Tax Return for the tax filer who claimed you as a dependent.

Questions can be directed to IDB@iowa.gov. 

DDS/DMD: Dental License: $315

DDS/DMD: Faculty Permit: $315

MS: Moderate Sedation Permit: $125

GA: General Anesthesia Permit: $125

Late Fee: September of Renewal Year: $100

Late Fee: October of Renewal Year: $150

RDH: Dental Hygiene License: $150

RDH: Faculty Permit: $315

LA: Local Anesthesia Permit: $25

Late Fee: September of Renewal Year: $100

Late Fee: October of Renewal Year: $150

RDA: Dental Assistant Registration (without Radiography Qualification): $75

QDA: Dental Assistant Registration & Radiography Qualification (combined): $115

QDA or XDA: Dental Radiography Qualification: $40

Late Fee: September of Renewal Year: $20

Late Fee: October of Renewal Year: $40

Reinstatement applications require payment of a reinstatement application fee and one past-due renewal fee. Additionally, dentists and dental hygienists must submit a background check packet for which the fee is $46.

DDS/DMD: Dental License: $150 + $315 + $46 = $511

RDH: Dental Hygiene License: $100 + $150 + $46 = 316

RDA: Dental Assistant Registration (without Radiography Qualification): $50 + $75 = $125

QDA: Dental Assistant Registration & Radiography Qualification (combined): $50 + $115 = $165

XDA: Dental Radiography Qualification: $40 + $40 = $80

VOLUNTEER
If you will be volunteering dental services at a non-profit and you do not hold an active Iowa dental or dental hygiene license, you may apply for a temporary permit on the basis to volunteer. There is no fee for this application; though a completed application must be submitted via the Iowa Dental Board online services website. 

EDUCATIONAL or URGENT NEED
Temporary permits on the basis of educational purpose or urgent need may be issued for up to three months at a predetermined location of practice. Applicants are limited to a maximum of three temporary permits in total. Thereafter, applicants would be required to apply for a permanent dental or dental hygiene license.

Note: Temporary permits on the basis of educational purpose or urgent need are not intended for individuals who will make application for a permanent dental license.  

Fee for Educational Purpose or Urgent Need: $100

Duplicate Certificate: Duplicate license, permit or registration certificate: $25

Duplicate Renewal Card: Electronic copies are provided at no cost.   Hard copy when requested:  $25.

Certification or verification: The fee for a written certification or written verification issued by board staff of an Iowa license, permit or registration: $25.

Facility Inspection: Actual cost not to exceed $500 per facility.

Returned Check: $39

Note: Electronic copies of renewal cards and other items may be requested via the Iowa Dental Board online services website.