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how to pass the California RDA exam
The California RDA exam is one combined written test — the Registered Dental Assistant Combined Written and Law and Ethics Examination — of 125 items (100 scored plus 25 unscored pretest) in 3 hours at a PSI center. There is no practical exam and no fixed 75% pass mark: scoring is criterion-referenced under 16 CCR §1081 (§1031 is the dentist exam's regulation), and results are reported pass/fail only — the Board does not publish a fixed passing percentage. The Board's June 2026 report shows 72% passing overall, but 62% on the work-experience pathway against 79% for board-approved-program graduates, and 38% for repeat testers. Budget the $120 Board application fee plus a PSI fee, and mind the certificate recency clocks: the Dental Practice Act and infection control courses expire in 2 years, polishing and sealants in 5.
- Cluster
- California RDH and RDA exams
- Last verified
- 2026-07-24
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Source citations
- DBC-RDA-OUTLINE Dental Board of California — RDA Combined Written and Law and Ethics Examination Outline (dbc.ca.gov)
- DBC-RDA-STATS-0626 Dental Board of California — RDA examination statistics, June 2026 (dbc.ca.gov)