Texas RDA Registration: Step-by-step guide for new hires

What is an RDA in Texas?

In Texas, a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) is a dental assistant who has completed approved training and registered with the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (TSBDE). Registration is required for any dental assistant who takes radiographs (X-rays), monitors nitrous oxide, performs coronal polishing, or assists in certain surgical procedures.

If you only do front-desk or basic chairside work, you don't strictly need RDA status — but every East Texas office we know prefers hiring registered RDAs because they can do more.

The 5-step registration process

1. Complete an approved RDA training program — PDA's RDA program (In-Person or Online) qualifies. Programs must include the required hours of radiology, infection control, jurisprudence, and clinical skills.
2. Pass the Texas Jurisprudence Assessment — a short open-book exam covering Texas dental laws and rules.
3. Submit your application to the TSBDE with the documentation it requires. We help PDA students prepare this step. Confirm the current application requirements with the TSBDE.
4. Pay the registration fee — the amount is set by the TSBDE and can change, so check the current fee on the official TSBDE site.
5. Receive your RDA registration from the TSBDE. Once registered, you can perform RDA-restricted duties.

What training hours does Texas require?

• Radiology certification — a TSBDE-approved dental radiology course covering theory and supervised practice. PDA includes this in the program.
• Infection control — OSHA-compliant infection control + bloodborne pathogen training.
• CPR / BLS — most offices require a current American Heart Association (AHA) BLS for Healthcare Providers card.
• Jurisprudence — Texas Dental Practice Act, scope-of-practice rules, board regulations.

PDA's RDA program covers all four — same curriculum whether you attend In-Person at our Longview campus or Online from home.

Common timing questions

Can I work as a dental assistant before I'm registered?

Yes — Texas allows dental assistants to work in limited capacities while training. You just can't take X-rays or do RDA-restricted tasks until your registration comes through.

How long does the registration take to come back?

Processing time varies. The most reliable estimate is whatever the TSBDE currently publishes, so check the official site once your application is complete.

Do I need to renew?

Yes — RDA registration must be renewed, and continuing education is part of staying current. Because the renewal cycle and the exact CE requirements can change, confirm the current rules with the TSBDE.

What PDA students can expect

By the end of your 12-week (or 24-week) program at PDA, you'll have:

• Completed all required training hours
• Passed practice jurisprudence exams
• Earned your radiology certification
• Practiced infection control and prepared for AHA BLS for Healthcare Providers certification
• Logged hundreds of hours on real practice management software
• A complete application packet ready to submit to TSBDE

We don't hand you the certificate — only TSBDE does. But we make sure that when you walk out of PDA, every box is checked and your packet is ready to submit the next day.