LDA Initial Licence

If you completed your dental education outside of British Columbia, you must first complete the assessment process. Please see above section “Certification assessments”.  

If you are holding a Limited or Temporary LDA licence, please refer to the “Temporary/Limited Licensed Dental Assistant to Licensed Dental Assistant” section below. 

This licence category is for individuals who have graduated from a level II dental assisting program from an accredited program and have a NDAEB Certificate.  

​This online application process will allow you to open a web account and submit the required information for your licensing process with BCCOHP.  

• Your application must be completed in one attempt 
• If you log out or close your web browser, your partially completed application will not be saved 
• You will be able to upload documents after your application has been completed 
• The online application process may take up to 20 minutes 
• The general application processing time is eight weeks. Please note that incomplete applications or insufficient information may delay your application process. 
• A criminal record check (CRC) required for applicants may take four weeks to process. To ensure timely submission, please submit your initial payment and notarized copy of two pieces of photo ID as soon as you can. ​

Step 1: Create an online account

If you have not been licensed with BCCOHP, you will need to create a new account. Once you complete reading the following instructions, click on “Apply now >>” at the bottom to create an online account to start the application process. You will be required to enter your contact information.

Step 2: Log in to start application

You will require the following information to complete the online application form: 

• Contact information – home address, phone number, email address and practice address (if applicable) 
• Dental education – institution, graduation date, degree received 
• NDAEB completion information  
• BC driver’s license number or other form of government-issued photo identification  
• Names of other jurisdiction(s) you have been licensed or certified with, along with dates  

Step 3: Submit payment of application and criminal record check (CRC) fees

Once the application information forms have been completed, you will be prompted to pay the application and criminal record check fees (non-refundable). 

Note: A separate payment of the licence fee will be required once BCCOHP staff have confirmed application completion. This takes place closer to the end of the application process.  

Payment options are as follows: 

• Credit card (VISA, Mastercard) 
• Cheque/money order (mail) 

Step 4: Submit/upload required documents

Once you have completed the application, you will be able to upload required documents. 

For all documents that require notarization, the original must be received by the BCCOHP office. Please submit your documents via mail.​ ​For our main mailing address, please visit our contact page.​ 

• Notarized Statutory declaration (available for download during the application process)  
• Notarized Photo Identification Notarization form, along with notarized photocopy of two pieces of photo ID (one primary and one secondary, or two primary) 
• Notarized or certified copy of education degree/diploma*​  
• Notarized or certified copy of NDAEB certificate**​  
• Certificates or Letters of Standing from jurisdictions previously  licensed or certified with (must be sent directly from that regulatory organization)​  
• Name change documents (if required)  

*If the applicant is currently licensed or certified to practise as a licensed dental assistant in another Canadian jurisdiction in the same or equivalent licence class, submission of these documents is not required.​  

**If confirmation of successful completion is provided to BCCOHP by your educational institution or the NDAEB, notarization of these documents is not required during submission.  

IMPORTANT: If you have ever been or are currently licensed or certified in another province or country, please contact that provincial or national regulatory body to request a Certificate of Standing or Letter of Standing for your BCCOHP application. The certificate must be delivered directly to BCCOHP from the licensing/regulating body in a sealed envelope.​  

The certificate is valid for up to 60 days from the date that it was signed. If an applicant does not have their licensing process completed within 60 days, a new certificate will be required. ​  

Step 5: Submit payment of licence fee

Once all the required documents are received and your application is ready to be finalized, you will receive an email notification to make your final payment. You will need to log in to your account and pay for the licence fee. View the list of LDA fees​ on Schedule A in the Licensed Dental Assistant Bylaws. 

Step 6: Licence confirmation

Once your licence fee has been processed, you will be sent an email from BCCOHP within three to five business days confirming that your status has been changed to active.  

You cannot practise until you receive a licence confirmation email.   

Apply now >> 

This application is for those dental assistants who 

• were issued a Temporary or Limited licence on or before March 31, 2026,  

• hold current Temporary or Limited licence , and  

• have successfully completed the National Dental Assisting Examining Board (NDAEB) or skills upgrading and are meeting the requirements for licensing as a Licensed Dental Assistant in BC. 

Application for Temporary/Limited to Licensed Dental Assistant >>