May 25, 2026 | British Columbia

How long does it take to become a licensed dental assistant? For students completing CDI College's 55-week Dental Assisting program in BC, the full pathway to becoming a Licensed Dental Assistant (LDA) can take approximately 15 to 17 months, depending on NDAEB exam scheduling and BCCOHP licence processing. 

Many people still search for "Certified Dental Assistant" or "CDA," but as of April 1, 2026, the BC College of Oral Health Professionals (BCCOHP) uses Licensed Dental Assistant (LDA) as the licence category. 

This guide explains the current BC pathway, including education, the NDAEB examination, licensure, training time, wages and career outlook. 

Requirements for Becoming a Licensed Dental Assistant in BC 

For students pursuing LDA licensure, the pathway generally includes education, the National Dental Assisting Examining Board and BCCOHP. 

Education 

One direct pathway to LDA licensure is completing a dental assisting program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada (CDAC). 

According to BCCOHP's current LDA licensing requirements, graduates of an accredited dental assisting program in BC who successfully complete the NDAEB written examination are eligible to apply for licensure. 

Graduates of non-accredited programs may also have a pathway, but additional NDAEB requirements can apply. 

CDI College's Dental Assisting Diploma Program in BC is CDAC-accredited at its Burnaby and Surrey campuses. 

NDAEB Theory Examination 

The National Dental Assisting Examining Board administers national assessments and issues the NDAEB Certificate. 

Graduates of CDAC-accredited dental assisting programs can apply for the NDAEB Theory Examination. Successful completion is part of the accredited-program pathway toward LDA licensure in British Columbia. 

It is important to distinguish the two credentials: 

Obtaining the NDAEB Certificate does not automatically make someone an LDA. Graduates must separately complete BCCOHP's licensing process. 

BCCOHP Licensure 

After meeting the applicable education and NDAEB requirements, graduates can apply for an initial Licensed Dental Assistant licence with BCCOHP. 

The application process includes applicable education and NDAEB documentation, identification, fees and a criminal record check. 

BCCOHP advises that its general application processing time is approximately eight weeks, although incomplete applications or missing information can cause delays.  Applicants cannot practise as an LDA until BCCOHP confirms that their licence is active. 

For a broader overview of the full pathway, read How to Become a Licensed Dental Assistant in BC. 

How Long Does It Take to Become a Licensed Dental Assistant in BC? 

The overall timeline depends on the dental assisting program you choose, NDAEB examination availability and the BCCOHP licensing process. 

For students completing CDI College's BC Dental Assisting program, the pathway can be broken into four main stages. 

1. Complete Your Dental Assisting Program 

CDI College's BC Dental Assisting program is 55 weeks of full-time training at its Burnaby and Surrey campuses. 

The curriculum covers areas relevant to dental assisting practice and NDAEB preparation, including: 

• Chairside dental assisting 
• Oral anatomy and dental sciences 
• Infection prevention and control 
• Dental radiography 
• Dental materials 
• Intra-oral dental assisting 
• Practice management 
• Ethics and jurisprudence 

The Burnaby and Surrey programs are CDAC-accredited, which means graduates meet the educational pathway to apply for the NDAEB examination. 

2. Complete Clinical and Practical Training 

Clinical and practical experience is built into the 55-week program, rather than completed as a separate stage after graduation. 

CDI College's program includes approximately 615 hours of clinical and on-site practical training, consisting of: 

• 440 hours of on-campus clinical training 
• 175 hours of mandatory outside practical experience 

The outside practical experience takes place across two phases of the program and gives students opportunities to apply their training in dental workplaces before graduation. 

Students who want a closer look at the learning experience can read What Courses Are Tough in a Dental Assistant Program?. 

3. Complete the NDAEB Examination 

After graduating from a CDAC-accredited program, students can apply for the NDAEB Theory Examination. 

Timing depends on available examination dates and individual readiness, so students should review the NDAEB's current examination schedule when planning their pathway. 

CDI College has reported strong recent results at this stage. In the June 2025 NDAEB sitting, students from both its Burnaby and Surrey campuses achieved a 100% pass rate. After successfully meeting NDAEB requirements and obtaining the required credential, graduates can move to the provincial licensing stage. 

4. Apply for Your BCCOHP Licence 

Once the applicable NDAEB requirements have been completed, graduates can apply for an initial LDA licence with BCCOHP. 

BCCOHP currently advises applicants to allow approximately eight weeks for general application processing once the required information has been submitted.  The exact timeline can vary depending on documentation, the criminal record check and the applicant's individual circumstances. 

Completing CDI College's Dental Assisting program does not itself grant an LDA licence. Graduates must independently meet the applicable NDAEB and BCCOHP requirements before becoming licensed. 

Total Timeline 

For someone completing CDI College's 55-week Dental Assisting program, approximately 15 to 17 months is a reasonable planning estimate from the beginning of training to LDA licensure. 

The actual timeline is not guaranteed. NDAEB exam dates, individual readiness and BCCOHP processing can affect how long the full pathway takes. 

Wage Expectations for Dental Assistants in BC 

According to Job Bank's wage data for dental assistants in British Columbia, reported hourly wages are: 

These figures apply to the broader occupational classification rather than specifically to newly licensed or experienced LDAs. Wages can vary based on factors such as location, experience, workplace and responsibilities. 

WorkBC reports annual earnings of approximately $54,282 for the occupational group and forecasts 3,130 job openings between 2025 and 2035. 

WorkBC's data applies to NOC 33100, Dental Assistants and Dental Laboratory Assistants, so the projected openings should not be interpreted as LDA-only positions. 

Bonus Read: How Much Do Dental Assistants Make in BC?

Start Your Dental Career 

For CDI College students, the pathway from training to LDA licensure can take approximately 15 to 17 months, depending on NDAEB examination scheduling and BCCOHP processing. 

The Dental Assisting program in Burnaby and Surrey combines CDAC-accredited education, clinical training and outside practical experience before graduates move on to the NDAEB and BCCOHP stages. 

Request more information to learn about program availability, admission requirements and financial options.