For Applicants and Students

Dental assisting is a regulated profession in Alberta. To practise as a dental assistant in Alberta, you must be registered with the College of Alberta Dental Assistants. You cannot practise or represent yourself as a dental assistant unless you’re registered and hold a valid practice permit.

Registration is mandatory

Registration with the College confirms that you’ve met Alberta’s education, training and current practice requirements and are authorized to provide dental assisting services to the public.

Once you’re registered, you hold a practice permit and may use protected titles, including “Dental Assistant” (DA) and “Registered Dental Assistant” (RDA).

Apply for registration

Registration is required if you intend to practise as a dental assistant in Alberta. Apply for registration if you meet the requirements for one of the registration pathways.

• Canadian education program: You completed a dental assisting program in Canada.
• NDAEB in progress (provisional): You’re in the process of completing the National Dental Assisting Examining Board (NDAEB) requirements, and you’re applying for provisional registration.
• Internationally educated: You completed your dental assisting education outside of Canada.
• Labour mobility: You’re already registered as a dental assistant in another Canadian province where dental assisting is regulated (it’s not regulated in Ontario and Quebec).

Apply for student membership

Student membership supports learning and preparation for professional practice but does not allow you to practise or use protected titles. Apply for student membership if you’re enrolled in a recognised dental assisting education program.