Do dental assistants need a license in Nevada?

Yes. Nevada requires state-level licensing or registration for dental assistants, administered by the Board of Dental Examiners. See the licensing section above for credential types and current requirements.

How to Become a Dental Assistant in Nevada (2026)

Q: How long does dental assistant training take in Nevada?

Most people become a Dental Assistant in Nevada through a short dental assisting program or on-the-job training where allowed, then DANB CDA and any state RDA or radiography permit the board requires.

Q: How much do dental assistants earn in Nevada?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), dental assistants in Nevada earned a median annual wage of approximately $47,110.

Q: What is the job outlook for dental assistants in Nevada?

Nevada currently employs approximately 4,230 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 6.4% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034.

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Nevada employs about 4,230 dental assistants earning a median $47,110 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a Dental Assistant here means completing a short dental assisting program or on-the-job training where allowed, then DANB CDA and any state RDA or radiography permit the board requires, then applying through Board of Dental Examiners.

Compare Dental Assistant Schools in Nevada

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Earnings are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single trade. Distance is measured from the page's primary location.
#	School	BOC Score (0–100)	Tuition	Median grad earnings (all majors)	Graduation rate	Online	Distance
1	Northwest Career College	49.7	Contact school for pricing	$36,673	67%	Yes*	158 mi
2	College of Southern Nevada	46.6	Contact school for pricing	$51,080	19%	Yes*	161 mi
Sponsored Ad
3	San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia	45.3	Contact school for pricing	$42,211	35%	Yes*	168 mi
4	Carrington College-Las Vegas	42.1	Contact school for pricing	$39,609	50%	—	165 mi
Sponsored Ad
5	Reedley College	41.6	$1,334 - $16,881	$42,644	42%	—	161 mi
6	Fresno City College	41.3	Contact school for pricing	$46,885	24%	—	170 mi
Sponsored Ad
7	Pima Medical Institute-Las Vegas	41.0	Contact school for pricing	$42,937	53%	—	166 mi
8	Milan Institute-Visalia	35.5	Contact school for pricing	$33,999	50%	—	169 mi
Sponsored Ad
9	Nevada Career Institute	35.4	Contact school for pricing	$48,064	52%	—	152 mi
10	UEI College-Fresno	27.4	Contact school for pricing	$29,409	58%	—	170 mi
Sponsored Ad

Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.

Nevada employs approximately 4,230 dental assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $47,110 ¹. Nationally, dental assistant employment is projected to grow 6.4% from 2024 to 2034, with about 52,900 openings per year ². This page covers how to become a Dental Assistant in Nevada, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

Training paths: dental assisting program or on-the-job training where the state allows it (find programs)
Typical timeline: a short dental assisting program or on-the-job training where allowed, then DANB CDA and any state RDA or radiography permit the board requires
Licensing authority: Board of Dental Examiners
Exam: DANB CDA and/or state RDA or radiography permit
Median wage (Nevada): $47,110 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Dental Assistant in Nevada

How to become a Dental Assistant in Nevada? Complete a short dental assisting program or on-the-job training where allowed, then DANB CDA and any state RDA or radiography permit the board requires. Apply through Board of Dental Examiners.

How long does it take? Most people finish a short dental assisting program or on-the-job training where allowed, then DANB CDA and any state RDA or radiography permit the board requires. Confirm current hour totals with the program and Board of Dental Examiners.

Do I need a license in Nevada? Yes. Nevada credentials this role through Board of Dental Examiners ³. See the licensing section below.

What do dental assistants earn in Nevada? The median annual wage for dental assistants in Nevada is $47,110 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $36,870 and experienced professionals can earn $56,700 or more ¹.

How to Become a Dental Assistant in Nevada

Meet basic requirements. Most Nevada dental assisting programs expect a high school diploma or GED. Confirm age and background rules with Board of Dental Examiners.
Complete a dental assisting program or on-the-job training if the state allows it. Finish a certificate (often under a year) or associate program in Nevada. Prefer a CODA-accredited program. This is not a registered apprenticeship.
Earn CDA and any state assistant credential. DANB CDA is the national exam. Some states also require RDA, a radiography permit, or expanded-functions (EFDA). Confirm current permits with Board of Dental Examiners.
Apply to the state dental board when registration is required. Some states register assistants; others only permit X-ray or expanded duties; some allow OJT with no statewide license. Do not treat a hygienist or dentist license as the assistant path.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

Dental Assistant License Requirements in Nevada

Dental assistants in Nevada typically complete a short program or on-the-job training where allowed, then earn DANB CDA and any RDA or radiography permit Board of Dental Examiners requires. See Board of Dental Examiners ³.

Typical path

Meet the program’s entry rules.
Complete a dental assisting program or OJT if the state allows it.
Earn DANB CDA and any state RDA or radiography permit.
Apply to Board of Dental Examiners when registration or licensure is required.

Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with Board of Dental Examiners before you enroll.

Dental Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Nevada

Dental Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Nevada

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), dental assistants wages in Nevada vary by metro area.

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas	3,080	$46,890	$45,060	$36,870	$55,450
Reno	790	$48,400	$48,570	$37,820	$60,930
Carson City	100	$48,590	$49,290	$37,970	$63,250

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for dental assistants in Nevada? Nevada currently employs approximately 4,230 dental assistants ¹. Nationally, dental assistant employment is projected to grow 6.4% from 2024 to 2034 ².

Can I work as a dental assistant in Nevada with an out-of-state license? Contact the Board of Dental Examiners for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

What training programs are available in Nevada? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Nevada.

How much do dental assistants earn in Nevada compared to the national average? The median annual wage for dental assistants in Nevada is $47,110, which is $190 below the national median of $47,300 according to BLS data ¹.

In Nevada

Best Trade Schools in Nevada (2026)

Top local programs

Explore More Trades in Nevada

Citations

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Board of Dental Examiners - Licensing Information: http://dental.nv.gov ↩︎ ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

Data	Provider	Vintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	May 2025
Employment Projections	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System	National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)	2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirements	CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programs	CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)	U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)	O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)