Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary Licensing Information

February Credentialing Freeze: All licensing and credentialing systems for health professionals and facilities will be unavailable on Friday, February 14 from 5 p.m. until the morning of Wednesday, February 19, 2025, to complete system upgrades. Please complete your applications and renewals now to avoid delays.

Apply for a License

Helpful tips and information | Additional frequently asked questions | Approved schools and states

Apply online

The Washington State Department of Health requires that only the applicant or licensee may complete an attestation for an application, or for continuing education. This is a legal attestation. Completion of the attestation by anyone other than the applicant may constitute a reportable felony offense. The Department of Health can take action against people for perjury or for making a false statement they know to be false.

For further information please see:

Washington State law authorizes the Department of Health to obtain fingerprint-based background checks for licensing purposes. This check may be through the Washington State Patrol and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. We may require this if you have lived in another state or if you have a criminal record in Washington State. This would be at your own expense.

You must pay the application fee at the time you apply. You may use a credit or debit card with a VISA or MasterCard logo, or pay by ACH/E-Check. Please make sure your address on the payment information screen matches the address your financial institution has on file for you. This fee is non-refundable. There is a convenience fee to apply online.

If we need additional documentation, we'll notify you by email.

There are additional items you may need, in addition to your application:

If you have questions, contact our Customer Service staff at 360-236-4700.

Getting started

Online Application Instructions

Online application instructions are on our website.

Online applications are accessed through SecureAccess Washington (SAW) security portal. You'll need to add the Department of Health Online Application Portal - Healthcare Enforcement and Licensing Management System (HELMS) Portal service to access the online applications. The first time you add the service, you'll be prompted to answer several questions to verify your identity. The questions will match the name and address you provide with the existing public record information. Because the questions come from public record, you need to provide a complete address and your full legal name as it appears on your driver's license or birth certificate. You may find you have to enter a former address, especially if your address has changed recently (within the past one or two years) to get the right questions that pertain to your identity. If you don't have sufficient information in the public record to verify your identity and aren't currently credentialed by the Department of Health, then you'll need to submit a paper application, as you won't be able to access the Online Application Portal.

Once you have completed the process, and submitted your application, you will receive an email with your pending credential number, or you may look on Provider Credential Search. Refer to this credential number any time you contact Department of Health or submit paperwork.

Apply on paper

The following PDF and Word forms are required for completing the application process. Please download and print forms.

Schools expanded function dental auxiliary education program

Fee Schedule

See licensing fees below
Non-Refundable Fee Type Fee Amount
Application $175
Renewal $165
Late renewal $85
Expired reactivation $50
Duplicate $15
Verification $25

Licensing Requirements

See licensing requirements below

Education and training

  • Applicants must successfully complete a dental assisting education program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). Official school transcript directly from the school is required.

or

  • Obtain the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB), certification through Pathway II, and a separate dental assisting review course. Verification of DANB certification is required.

or

  • Hold a Washington limited license to practice dental hygiene.

And

  • Successful completion of an expanded function dental auxiliary education program approved by the commission. Approved programs on our website. A certificate of completion or official school transcript is required.

An applicant who holds a full license to dental hygiene under Chapter 18.29 RCW is considered to have met the requirements for EFDA licensure upon demonstrating completion of training in final impressions as approved by the commission. A certificate of completion of a final impressions course is required.

Examinations

  • Applicants must pass Washington State Restorative (WARE) written examination provided by Dental Assisting National Board (DANB). DANB examination scores are provided directly to the department.

And

  • Applicants must pass restorative clinical examination provided by Western Regional Examining Board (WREB). An original scorecard or a certified copy of the scorecard is required.

Or

  • Applicants must pass restorative clinical examination provided by Central Regional Dental Testing (CRDTS). An original scorecard or a certified copy of the scorecard is required.

State license verification

Applicants must list all states where they do or did hold credentials. This list must also include when the applicant has applied for a credential, even if a credential was not granted. The jurisdiction where the applicant is or was credentialed must complete and submit the verification form (PDF). The jurisdiction must send the completed form directly to the department.

Personal data questions

Each applicant must answer the personal data questions. An appropriate explanation and required documentation must be sent with positive answers. If there is a positive answer to the professional liability claims history question, the applicant must send an explanation of the nature of the case, data and summary of care given, copies of the original complaint, and the settlement or final disposition. If the case is pending, applicant must indicate status.

Process for approving/denying applications

We finish final review for approval after a credentialing specialist verifies that the application is fully complete, and complies with requirements in chapter 18.260 RCW and chapter 246-817 WAC. We complete background checks and make sure applicants have submitted required fees. Credentialing supervisors and lead workers have the authority to approve routine applications. The disciplining authority may conduct further review if the credentialing supervisor can't verify the applicant meets all requirements. We'll formally notify applicants of a denial. Those applicants may request a hearing to appeal the decision.

Renewal requirements

Expanded function dental auxiliaries must renew their license every year. Credentials expire on the credential holder's birthday and may be renewed within 90 days of the expiration date. A courtesy renewal notice will be mailed to your address on record. You must keep your address current with us. Any renewal postmarked or presented to the department after midnight on the expiration date is late.

Continuing education requirements

There are no continuing education requirements.

Additional Licensing Information