How to Become a Dental Assistant in Texas (2026)
See if you qualify for Dental Assistant programs
Answer a few questions in 2 minutes. Free, no commitment.
Texas does not require a license to start working as a dental assistant, but you need a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) certificate from the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (TSBDE) before you can take X-rays. To get it, you need a high school diploma or GED, a hands-on BLS course, a human trafficking prevention course, a TSBDE-approved radiology course and exam, and a fingerprint background check.
A current certificate from the Dental Assisting National Board can replace the TSBDE-approved course and exam, but national certification is optional in Texas. Hybrid dental assistant training in Texas takes about 12 weeks. According to May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics data, dental assistants in Texas earn a median annual wage of $45,430, compared with $48,070 nationally.
How Much Does It Cost to Become a Dental Assistant in Texas?
- Tuition: $2,950 to $4,690 across the hybrid programs above, with the radiology exam included
- RDA application fee: $40 total, then $71.50 every two years to renew, under the 22 TAC 102.1 fee table
- Fingerprinting through IdentoGO, at a fee set by the vendor
- BLS, if your program does not include it (the hybrid programs above do)
Dental Assistant Salary in Texas
According to May 2025 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, dental assistants in Texas earn a median annual wage of $45,430, or $21.84 an hour, compared with $48,070 nationally. Texas employs 33,230 dental assistants. The lowest-paid 10% earn less than $35,400 a year, and the top 10% earn more than $57,640. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook projects 7% growth in dental assistant jobs from 2025 to 2035, with about 53,000 openings a year nationally. Nationally, median pay in the largest employing settings was $55,270 in government, $48,000 in offices of dentists, and $47,310 in offices of physicians. Median pay by Texas metro, May 2025:
Metro | Median pay | Employed |
|---|---|---|
Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos | $48,500 | 3,010 |
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington | $47,570 | 9,010 |
San Antonio-New Braunfels | $45,920 | 3,820 |
Midland | $45,820 | 190 |
Odessa | $44,300 | 150 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands | $43,730 | 8,150 | Austin is the top-paying Texas metro for dental assistants, and Dallas-Fort Worth has the most jobs.
Career Paths After Becoming a Dental Assistant
- Nitrous Oxide Monitoring Certificate: With an active RDA, current BLS, and 8 hours of education and testing, you can earn the TSBDE certificate to monitor nitrous oxide sedation.
- Sealant-Qualified Dental Assistant: After two years of experience, with current BLS and 8 hours of sealant education through a CODA-accredited program approved by the Board, you can apply pit and fissure sealants.
- Dental Office Manager: Dental office managers are responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the dental office, including managing staff, scheduling appointments, and handling insurance claims.
- Dental Hygienist: Dental hygienists work closely with dentists to provide preventive dental care, such as teeth cleanings, oral exams, and taking dental x-rays. It is a separately licensed role with its own education requirements, covered in Dental Assistant vs. Dental Hygienist.
- Dental Assistant Instructor: Dental assistant instructors work in vocational schools or community colleges, teaching aspiring dental assistants the skills and knowledge necessary for the profession.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a license to be a dental assistant in Texas?
Not for entry-level work. You need TSBDE's Registered Dental Assistant certificate to take dental X-rays, and an active RDA is also required for the Nitrous Oxide Monitoring certificate.
How long does it take to become a registered dental assistant in Texas?
About 12 weeks of hybrid training, followed by an application that TSBDE estimates takes 3 to 4 weeks to process once it is complete.
Does Texas accept DANB certification?
Yes. With a current DANB certificate and a passing score on the TSBDE Jurisprudence Assessment within one year of applying, you can skip the TSBDE-approved course and exam. The other requirements, including hands-on BLS, the human trafficking prevention course, and fingerprints, still apply.
Can you take the Texas RDA course online?
Some approved providers offer it online. UT Health San Antonio runs its RDA course and exam online, and the hybrid programs above include its radiology exam. The BLS course must be hands-on.
How much do dental assistants make in Texas?
According to May 2025 BLS data, Texas dental assistants earn a median of $45,430 a year, or $21.84 an hour, compared with $48,070 nationally. Austin pays the most of the state's metro areas, at a $48,500 median.
Starting Your Dental Assistant Career in Texas
Texas lets you work as a dental assistant under a dentist's supervision without a state credential. The RDA is the registration that lets you take dental X-rays, and it is the starting point for the Nitrous Oxide Monitoring certificate. With a 12-week hybrid program and TSBDE's 3-to-4-week processing estimate, the path from first class to RDA takes about four months. Dreambound lists partner dental assistant programs by metro across Texas.
