California's 8-Hour Infection Control Requirement for Dental Assistants
Since January 1, 2025, California has required every unlicensed dental assistant to complete a Dental Board approved 8-hour Infection Control course before doing any work that could expose them to blood, saliva, or other potentially infectious materials. The rule changed an older one-year grace period, and it puts responsibility on the employer. This guide explains what changed and how a dental office can check that its team is compliant.
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What changed on January 1, 2025
The Dental Board of California's sunset bill, SB 1453 (Chapter 483, Statutes of 2024), updated Business and Professions Code section 1750(c). Before 2025, an unlicensed dental assistant could complete the Board-approved 8-hour Infection Control course within one year of starting employment.
Under the current law, the course has to come first: an unlicensed dental assistant must complete it before performing any basic supportive dental procedure that involves potential exposure to blood, saliva, or other potentially infectious materials.
Who the requirement applies to
The requirement covers every unlicensed dental assistant, whether they were hired this week or years ago. A long-time assistant who never completed a Board-approved Infection Control course is not grandfathered in.
Dental assistants who already have proof of completing a Board-approved Infection Control course do not need to retake it.
The employer is responsible
California law places responsibility on the employer to make sure each applicable dental assistant has completed the course. For most offices, that means the dentist-owner and the office manager.
A quick personnel-file review is the simplest way to confirm compliance:
- List every unlicensed dental assistant on the team, including recent hires and part-time staff.
- Look for a completion certificate from a Dental Board approved 8-hour Infection Control course in each file.
- Make sure the certificate is for the 8-hour Infection Control course, not the 2-hour Dental Practice Act course.
- Schedule the course for anyone without proof of completion before they perform duties with potential exposure to blood, saliva, or other potentially infectious materials.
- Keep a copy of each certificate on file so it is easy to show later.
8-hour Infection Control vs. the 2-hour Dental Practice Act course
Offices sometimes confuse the two courses because both are required for unlicensed dental assistants. The 2-hour Dental Practice Act course covers California dental law. The 8-hour Infection Control course covers infection prevention and is the one required before exposure to potentially infectious materials. One does not satisfy the other.
Taking the 8-hour course at Roseville Dental Academy
Roseville Dental Academy's Infection Control course is listed by the Dental Board under provider number IC189. It runs 8 hours in Roseville and combines didactic, laboratory, and clinical instruction with precourse work, competencies, and a written exam. Students need current BLS certification through AHA or ARC plus a 2-hour Dental Practice Act certification before class.
Upcoming Infection Control dates: November 14, 2026; December 5, 2026. Dates are penciled in and may change; admissions will confirm current availability. Offices can register one new hire or a whole team by calling 916-888-9821.
Verify current requirements with the Dental Board
Requirements can change. Confirm the current rules and the list of approved Infection Control courses directly with the Dental Board of California at dbc.ca.gov before relying on this guide for a compliance decision.
Frequently asked questions
Do dental assistants hired before 2025 need the 8-hour Infection Control course?
Yes, unless they already have proof of completing a Board-approved Infection Control course. Since January 1, 2025, the requirement applies to every unlicensed dental assistant regardless of hire date.
Can a new dental assistant start work before finishing the Infection Control course?
Not in duties that involve potential exposure to blood, saliva, or other potentially infectious materials. Since January 1, 2025, the Board-approved 8-hour course must be completed before an unlicensed dental assistant performs those basic supportive procedures.
Who is responsible for making sure dental assistants complete the 8-hour Infection Control course?
The employer. Since January 1, 2025, every unlicensed dental assistant in California, regardless of hire date, must complete a Board-approved 8-hour Infection Control course before any duties involving potential exposure to blood, saliva, or other potentially infectious materials, and the dental office is responsible for making sure that happens. The 2-hour Dental Practice Act course does not replace it. Assistants who already have proof of a Board-approved Infection Control course do not need to retake it.
Does the 2-hour Dental Practice Act course count toward the Infection Control requirement?
No. The 2-hour Dental Practice Act course is a separate requirement. Unlicensed dental assistants need the Board-approved 8-hour Infection Control course as well.
Where can dental assistants near Sacramento take the 8-hour Infection Control course?
Roseville Dental Academy offers the Dental Board approved 8-hour Infection Control course (provider IC189) in Roseville, serving offices across the Sacramento region. Call 916-888-9821 to confirm the next open date and register.
Courses and classes to get you started
Roseville Dental Academy
Ready to start your dental assisting career?
Train hands-on in Roseville with a 9-week program that includes chairside practice, an internship, and resume and job assistance. Ask admissions about the next class date.
Keep reading
- How to Become a Dental Assistant in CaliforniaA step-by-step guide to becoming a dental assistant in California: what an unlicensed dental assistant can do, the training and certificates you need, and how to start in the Sacramento area.
- RDA vs. Dental Assistant: What's the Difference in California?Understand the difference between an unlicensed dental assistant, a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA), and an RDAEF in California — duties, requirements, pay, and how to move up.
- How Long Does It Take to Become a Dental Assistant?How long it takes to become a dental assistant in California — from an accelerated 9-week program to the longer timeline for becoming a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA).
This guide is general information, not legal or licensing advice. Dental assisting requirements in California can change — always verify current rules, required courses, and timelines with the Dental Board of California.