CDA initial certification

If you completed your dental education outside of British Columbia, please click here for information about certified dental assistant certification.

This certification 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 full certification 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 five to six 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 government-issued photo ID required for CRC submission as soon as you can. ​​ 

Step 1: Create an online account

If you have not been certified with BCCOHP, you will need to create a new account. Click on “Create 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 (if completed more than three years before the date of application, and you are not currently registered in a Canadian Jurisdiction, BCCOHP’s Quality Assurance​ requirements must be met) 
• BC driver’s license number or other form of identification 
• Names of other jurisdiction(s) you have been registered 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 certification fee will be required once BCCOHP staff have confirmed application completion. 

Payment options are as follows: 

• Credit card (VISA, Mastercard) 
• Interac (TD Canada Trust, First Nations Bank of Canada, and most BC credit unions are accepted) 
• 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. At this time, we ask that you send via mail rather than delivering in person.​ ​For our mailing address, please visit our contact page.​ 

• Notarized Statutory declaration (available for download during the application process) 
• Notarized copy of government issued photo ID 
• Notarized or certified copy of education degree/diploma*​ 
• Notarized or certified copy of NDAEB certificate**​ 
• Certificates or Letters of Standing from jurisdictions previously registered/certified with (must be sent directly from that regulatory organization)​ 
• Name change documents (if required) 

*If the applicant is currently registered/certified to practise dentistry in another Canadian jurisdiction, 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 registered/licensed 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 registration/certification process completed within 60 days, a new certificate will be required. ​ 

Step 5: Submit payment of certification 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 certification fee. View the list of CDA fees​ on Schedule A. 

Step 6: Certification confirmation

Once your certification 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 certification confirmation email. 

Click h​ere to download step by step instructions. ​ 

Apply now >> 

This category of certification is for graduates of dental assisting/dental programs outside of British Columbia who are working towards the satisfaction of the requirements for certification as a full CDA in BC. 

Application for and completion of an assessment of credentials by BCCOHP is required to determine eligibility for this certification. If you have any questions or would like more information on how to apply for this certification, please use our contact form to get in touch. 

This certification category is for the dental assistant who has graduated from an accredited level II certified dental assisting program within BC, but has yet to write the NDAEB. The temporary certification allows the graduate to provide the services of a full CDA while waiting to complete the NDAEB written exam. 

Please note: You will be required to apply for Full Certification once you received your NDAEB certificate. Please contact the Registration Department at registration@oralhealthbc.ca for information.

This online application process will allow you to open a web account and submit the required information for your certification 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 five-six weeks. Please note that incomplete applications or insufficient information may delay your application process. 
• A criminal record check (CRC) required for applicants may take 4 weeks to process. To ensure timely submission, please submit your initial payment and notarized copy of government issued photo ID required for CRC submission as soon as you can. ​​ 

Step 1: Create an online account

If you have not been certified with BCCOHP, you will need to create a new account. Click on Create 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 
• Expected National Dental Assisting Examination Board (NDAEB) exam date (proof of application to the NDAEB exam is required)​ 
• BC driver’s licence number or other form of identification 
• Names of other jurisdiction(s) you have been registered 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 certification fee will be required once BCCOHP staff have confirmed application completion. 

Payment options are as follows: 

• Credit Card (VISA, Mastercard) 
• Interac (RBC Royal Bank, TD Canada Trust, BMO Bank of Montreal, and Scotiabank only) 
• Cheque/money order (mail) 

Step 4: Submit/upload required documents

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

For all documents that require notarization, the original must be received by the BCCOHP office. At this time, we ask that you send via mail rather than delivering in person.​ ​For our mailing address, please visit our contact page.​ 

• Notarized Statutory declaration (available for download during the application process) 
• Notarized copy of government issued photo ID 
• Notarized or certified copy of education degree/diploma*​† 
• Proof of NDAEB exam registration (receipt or NDAEB confirmation letter)*​ 
• Certificates or Letters of Standing from jurisdictions currently and/or previously registered/certified with (must be sent directly from that regulatory organization)​ 
• Name change documents (if required) 

*If the applicant is currently registered/certified to practise dentistry in another Canadian jurisdiction, 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 registered/licensed 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 certification process completed within 60 days, a new certificate will be required. ​ 

Step 5: Submit payment of certification 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 certification fee. View the list of CDA fees​ on page three of Schedule A. 

Step 6: Certification confirmation

Once your certification 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 certification confirmation email. 

Click h​ere to download step by step instructions. ​ 

Apply now >>