Guides · Careers · 5 min read
How to Become a Dental Assistant in Nevada
By Elizabeth Carr, DHA · 5 min read
Nevada does not register or license basic dental assistants. Your employing dentist authorizes what you may do under NAC 631.220, and there is no board permit for radiography. Common duties for assistants include chairside assisting and taking radiographs. A separate board licence exists for expanded function dental assistants. Verify current rules with the Nevada State Board of Dental Examiners before enrolling in any course.
Nevada does not register or license basic dental assistants. Your employing dentist authorizes what you may do, and expanded function dental assistance is a separate licence granted by the board. This guide comes from DentalReady's fifty-state requirements research: what you can do from day one in Nevada, the certifications that expand your duties, and the realistic path in. Rules change, so the Nevada State Board of Dental Examiners link at the bottom is always the final word.
What you can do from day one
Nevada practices hire entry-level assistants and grow their duties with training. The table below lists duties the state allows dental assistants to perform, with training or certification requirements noted where they apply.
| Allowed duty |
|---|
| Chairside assisting |
| Taking radiographs (no board permit; your dentist attests to your training) |
| Coronal polishing |
| Applying sealants and fluoride |
| Taking impressions |
| Placing and removing rubber dams |
Certifications and X-rays in Nevada
No registration with the Nevada State Board of Dental Examiners is required to work as a dental assistant. There is no board permit for radiography either. Under NAC 631.260 your employing dentist files a certified statement at licence renewal attesting that you received adequate instruction in radiographic procedures and are qualified to operate the equipment.
Expanded function dental assistance is a licence issued by the board under Chapter 631 of the Nevada Revised Statutes, requiring at least two years of full time work as a dental assistant, DANB certification and two board examinations. CPR training at least every two years is part of what your dentist attests to for staff who assist with radiographic procedures.
The fastest realistic path
Step 1: Build real preparation first: instruments, procedure flow, infection control, and patient communication, so a hiring dentist sees you as useful in week one.
Step 2: Apply to entry-level and willing-to-train postings across Nevada, and ask each practice which certifications they sponsor.
Step 3: Complete the certifications above as your duties grow, starting with radiography, and confirm every requirement with the Nevada State Board of Dental Examiners.
Common questions
Do dental assistants need a license in Nevada?
No. Nevada does not register or license basic dental assistants. NAC 631.220 works by authorisation from your employing dentist. A separate board licence exists for expanded function dental assistants, which requires two years of full time experience and DANB certification.
Can dental assistants take X-rays in Nevada?
Yes, with your dentist's authorisation, and you may expose radiographs before the dentist examines the patient. There is no board permit. Your dentist files a certified statement at licence renewal attesting to your instruction in radiographic procedures. Many assistants complete this training after being hired, often with employer support.
Where do I verify Nevada's rules?
The Nevada State Board of Dental Examiners publishes the current duty lists and certification requirements for dental assistants. Check it before enrolling in any course.
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Written by Elizabeth Carr, DHA, Program Director, DentalReady; former Dental Hygiene Department Chair, UMMC School of Dentistry
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