Allied Health & Medical Support • Exam
DANB General Chairside Exam
DANB General Chairside Exam — Allied Health credential from Dental Assisting National Board (DANB)
Researched and maintained by TestPrepPilot Editorial BoardDental assisting credentialing desk · Figures last verified August 2026
The short version
What is the DANB General Chairside Exam and is it worth it?
DANB General Chairside Exam is a professional credential administered by Dental Assisting National Board (DANB). It validates job-ready knowledge and skills in the Allied Health field and is used for career entry, advancement, or compliance.
- Recognized credential from Dental Assisting National Board (DANB)
- Demonstrates verified competence in Allied Health
- Supports career advancement and may satisfy licensing or employer requirements
What is it?
What exactly is the DANB General Chairside Exam?
DANB General Chairside Exam — Allied Health credential from Dental Assisting National Board (DANB)
Component exam covering chairside assisting procedures., a standardized national examination required for this credential. Offered by Dental Assisting National Board (DANB), it is designed for candidates who need to demonstrate verified competence in the Allied Health field. The credential is commonly used for career entry, advancement, regulatory compliance, or employer requirements. Candidates should review the official handbook for eligibility, exam format, and scoring before registering.
The path in brief
- Confirm you meet any eligibility or prerequisites
- Review the official handbook and study materials
- Register and pay through the awarding body or authorized provider
- Schedule and take the exam (test center or online proctoring)
- Receive your score and, if passed, your credential
Before you book
Who is eligible to sit the DANB General Chairside Exam?
Eligibility varies; many credentials are open to all, while others require coursework, work experience, or sponsorship.
Who it is for: Professionals and candidates seeking to validate Allied Health competence.
The test itself
What is the format of the DANB General Chairside Exam?
The DANB General Chairside Exam is administered by Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) and runs 90 minutes and contains 90 questions.
| Administered by | Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) |
|---|---|
| Questions | 90 questions |
| Time limit | 90 minutes |
| Pass mark | Passing score set by the awarding body; see the official score report |
| Exam fee | ~$90 |
| Format | Proctored, computer-based (test center or online remote proctoring) |
Content outline
What topics are on the DANB General Chairside Exam?
The DANB General Chairside Exam covers 4 content domains.
Weightings come from the official exam outline. Study time is best allocated in roughly these proportions rather than evenly across domains.
- Anatomy & physiology
Topic area tested on the exam; see the official blueprint for the detailed breakdown.
- Clinical procedures
Topic area tested on the exam; see the official blueprint for the detailed breakdown.
- Patient care & safety
Topic area tested on the exam; see the official blueprint for the detailed breakdown.
- Documentation & ethics
Topic area tested on the exam; see the official blueprint for the detailed breakdown.
Study materials
Which study guide should you use for the DANB General Chairside Exam?
Start with the exam sponsor's official content outline. If you also want one structured resource to work through, these are the Mometrix titles that match this exam.
The DANB guide covers all three CDA components (RHS, ICE and GC) in one book.
Affiliate links We may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. Mometrix has no say in what our exam guides cover. How we make money.
The path
How do you register for the DANB General Chairside Exam?
- 1
Confirm your eligibility pathway1–4 weeks
Review DANB's three CDA pathways (CODA program graduate, 3,500 hours work experience, or dental degree) and secure current hands-on CPR/BLS/ACLS from a DANB-accepted provider.
- 2
Create your DANB account and apply
Complete the online CDA application on danb.org, uploading proof of education/experience and CPR certification. Incomplete applications are the most common cause of delay.
The $75 application fee is nonrefundable and included in your exam fee.
- 3
Pay the exam feeSame day
Pay $450 for the full CDA (GC+RHS+ICE), or choose a single-component ($270) or two-component bundle ($375). Active military pay $425.
- 4
Schedule your exam with Pearson VUEWithin 60 days
After approval, you receive a Test Admission Notice with a link to schedule at a Pearson VUE test center or via live remote online proctoring. You have a 60-day testing window from approval.
- 5
Take the exam and get your score~3 hr 15 min
Arrive with your admission notice and government photo ID. You see a preliminary result immediately; the official scaled score posts to your DANB account about one week later.
- 6
Maintain your credentialOngoing annually
Keep CPR current and earn 12 CDE credits annually (at least 2 in infection control and 1 in bloodborne pathogens) to renew each year.
The fine print
What are the retake and renewal rules for the DANB General Chairside Exam?
- Proctoring & delivery
- Computer-based, computer-adaptive testing delivered at Pearson VUE test centers (in person) or through live remote online proctoring that monitors you by webcam and microphone. Candidates choose the method at scheduling.
- Retake policy
- There is no limit on retakes of a failed exam. You must submit a new application and pay the full exam fee again for each attempt. A few state dental boards require additional education after repeated failures — check your state board if retaking for state authorization. A passed exam generally cannot be retaken except in unusual cases (contact DANB).
- Score reporting
- A preliminary result appears on screen immediately after the exam (not official). The official scaled score (100–900; pass = 400 per component) is posted to your DANB online account about one week after testing, and a score report is available there.
- Recertification
- The CDA renews every year. Annually complete 12 CDE credits (at least 2 in infection control and 1 in bloodborne pathogens; maximum 3 non-clinical), maintain current DANB-accepted hands-on CPR/BLS/ACLS, answer background questions, and pay the renewal fee. CDE credits carry over for up to two years; DANB may randomly audit documentation.
- Refunds & rescheduling
- The $75 application fee portion is nonrefundable. If you cancel after your exam is authorized, DANB retains a $40 fee. Rescheduling within 30 days of your appointment may incur a PSI vendor fee. If you miss the 60-day testing window, your application and fees are forfeited and you must reapply.
Context
How the DANB CDA compares to other dental assistant credentials
| Credential | Administered by | Scope | Typical requirement | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CDA (Certified Dental Assistant) | DANB | Full credential: chairside + radiography + infection control | Pass GC + RHS + ICE (245 Q, 195 min) | |
| NELDA (National Entry Level Dental Assistant) | DANB | Entry-level: anatomy + RHS + ICE; no chairside | Pass three entry-level components | |
| RHS / ICE (standalone) | DANB | Single competency (radiography or infection control only) | One component exam; no eligibility gate | |
| State RDA license | State dental board | State-specific expanded duties | Varies by state; often builds on DANB components |
What it pays
How much does this credential pay?
Expect dental-assistant pay at a May 2024 median of $47,300 (BLS) — the DANB GC (Infection Control) exam is the credential many state boards require, and it is the most-taken DANB certification
The direct answer is that the DANB GC (Infection Control) certification is the dental-assisting credential that many state boards require or accept, and the occupation it serves, dental assistants (SOC 31-9091), earned a May 2024 median annual wage of $47,300, with the lowest 10 percent under about $35,000 and the highest 10 percent above about $60,000. The honest framing is that the certification does not set pay — dental-assistant wages are set by the dental practice labour market — but the GC credential is a compliance and employability gate: many states require dental assistants to hold DANB GC (or pass a state-administered infection-control exam) to perform expanded functions or to work at all in some jurisdictions, and DANB reports GC is its most-taken exam, reflecting the credential’s role as the standard infection-control certification in the field. BLS counted about 352,000 dental assistants in 2024 and projects about 5 percent employment growth from 2024 to 2034, with roughly 18,000 annual openings. The exam itself is 90 multiple-choice questions in about 90 minutes, with a passing standard set by DANB through standard-setting, covering microbiology and disease transmission, infection prevention and control, and occupational safety. The practical read: the GC is the entry DANB credential — it is the first of the three exams that make up the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) credential (GC plus RHS radiation health and safety plus ICE infection control... with GC being the general infection-control exam) — and it is a low-cost, fast certification that improves employability in a growing occupation. For candidates deciding whether to pursue it, the GC certification is typically completed while working or training as a dental assistant, and the credential compounds with the RHS and ICE exams toward the full CDA.
| Measure | Figure | Source / note |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage, dental assistants | $47,300 | BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, May 2024 (SOC 31-9091) |
| Lowest 10 percent | less than $35,000 | BLS OOH, May 2024 |
| Highest 10 percent | more than $60,000 | BLS OOH, May 2024 |
| Projected growth, 2024-34 | +5% | BLS Employment Projections |
| The certification itself | Professional credential | DANB’s most-taken exam; a CDA component |
Job growth.BLS projects about 5% growth for dental assistants from 2024 to 2034, with roughly 18,000 annual openings.
Source: BLS OOH — Dental Assistants
Your odds
What are the pass rates?
DANB publishes no pass rates — the GC exam is 90 questions in 90 minutes with a standard-set passing score, and DANB reports pass/fail rather than cohort data
The core fact is that DANB does not publish pass rates for the GC exam, and none is available from an independent source, because DANB reports candidate pass/fail rather than cohort pass percentages. What is published is the exam structure: the GC exam contains 90 multiple-choice questions with 90 minutes allowed, delivered by computer at a testing center (or online proctored in some cases), with a passing score set by DANB through a standard-setting process and reported as pass/fail; the exam covers three content areas — microbiology and disease transmission, infection prevention and control, and occupational safety. Because DANB publishes the exam outline and a practice test, the preparation is studying the exam outline and the OSHA and CDC infection-control standards the content follows; the classic failure mode is under-studying the microbiology section, which carries a meaningful question share and rewards specific knowledge of disease transmission. The certification is valid for one year and renews annually with continuing education, which distinguishes it from many credentials. The honest advice is to treat the exam outline as the syllabus, study the CDC and OSHA infection-control guidance, take the DANB practice test to calibrate, and book the exam when practice scores are comfortable — the 90-minute format is accessible, and the credential’s one-year renewal means the study habits repeat annually.
Read this before quoting the number.DANB publishes no pass rates; the passing score is set by standard-setting and certification renews annually.
Source: DANB — GC exam information
Your schedule
How long should I study for it?
15-30 study hours over 2-4 weeks of focused study
Plan for roughly 2 to 4 weeks and 15 to 30 hours of study for the DANB GC exam, structured around the exam outline’s three content areas — microbiology and disease transmission, infection prevention and control, and occupational safety — with the CDC and OSHA infection-control standards as the primary study sources. The most effective sequence is: first, obtain the DANB GC exam outline and take the practice test to baseline; second, study the microbiology and disease-transmission content, which is the memorisation-heavy foundation; third, work the infection-prevention content — PPE, instrument processing, sterilization, and disinfection — the largest area; fourth, review occupational safety, including OSHA bloodborne-pathogen requirements; and fifth, take the practice test again and book the exam. The highest-yield habit is studying the CDC and OSHA guidance directly, since the exam is built from the same standards dental practices follow. Budget the sterilization and instrument-processing specifics, which are the most-tested items. After passing, note the one-year renewal with continuing education, and plan the companion exams — the RHS (radiation health and safety) and ICE (infection control) exams — that complete the Certified Dental Assistant credential, since the GC is one component of the CDA pathway.
- Week 18
Baseline + microbiology
- Get the exam outline and practice test
- Study microbiology and disease transmission
- Log weak areas
- Week 210
Infection prevention
- Study PPE, sterilization, and disinfection
- Review instrument processing
- Review OSHA requirements
- Week 38
Practice + exam
- Take the practice test again
- Re-study weak areas
- Book and take the exam
Adjusting the pace
CDA pathway.The Certified Dental Assistant credential combines GC, RHS, and ICE exams.
State-specific requirements.State boards vary in whether DANB GC or a state exam satisfies infection-control requirements.
How to study
How do I prepare most effectively?
The strategy that reliably passes the DANB GC exam is "study the CDC and OSHA standards, master the sterilization and instrument-processing specifics, and calibrate with the practice test," and the single biggest error is studying general dental-assisting content instead of the infection-control focus the exam tests. A second proven approach is memorising the microbiology basics precisely — disease transmission routes and the standard precautions — because those items reward specific knowledge. Third, master the instrument-processing and sterilization sequence, the most-tested area, as ordered steps: cleaning, packaging, sterilization, and storage. Fourth, review the OSHA bloodborne-pathogen standard, since the occupational-safety items draw from it. Fifth, use the DANB practice test as the calibration tool — if your score is not comfortable, re-study before booking. Finally, plan the one-year renewal and the CDA pathway from the start, since the GC is one component and the RHS and ICE exams complete the full credential.
Study the CDC and OSHA standards
The exam is built from the same standards practices follow.
Master the sterilization sequence
Cleaning, packaging, sterilization, storage — the most-tested area.
Memorise microbiology basics
Transmission routes and standard precautions reward specifics.
Calibrate with the practice test
Re-study until practice scores are comfortable.
Plan the CDA pathway
GC plus RHS and ICE complete the Certified Dental Assistant credential.
What to buy
Which study resources are worth paying for?
DANB GC preparation is inexpensive: the exam fee is about $90, the practice test is about $30, and the CDC and OSHA standards are free official references. The comparison below separates the official resources, the exam, and commercial prep, with prices current to this review. The buying rule is to use the free CDC/OSHA guidance and the official practice test first, and treat commercial question banks as optional reinforcement.
| Resource | Price | Format | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| DANB GC exam outline | Free | Official PDF | The authoritative syllabus |
| DANB practice test | ~$30 | Online practice exam | Readiness calibration |
| CDC dental infection-control guidelines | Free | Official guidance | The content foundation |
| OSHA bloodborne-pathogen standard | Free | Regulation text | Occupational-safety items |
| DANB GC exam registration | ~$90 | Computer-based at testing center | The exam itself |
| Commercial question banks | ~$20-50 | Online practice questions | Supplemental drilling |
Prices approximate and dated to this review; the certification renews annually with continuing education.
Avoid these
What mistakes do candidates most often make?
The most common mistake is studying general dental-assisting content instead of the infection-control focus, which the exam tests exclusively; the second is under-studying the microbiology section and losing the transmission-route items. A third recurring error is mixing up the sterilization sequence — cleaning before packaging, packaging before sterilization — on the order items. Candidates also routinely skip the OSHA bloodborne-pathogen standard, missing the occupational-safety items, and many book the exam without the practice test calibration. Finally, some candidates ignore the one-year renewal, letting the credential lapse after passing.
✕Off-focus study content
✓The GC exam tests infection control; study the CDC and OSHA standards.
✕Under-studying microbiology
✓Drill transmission routes and standard precautions.
✕Mixing up the sterilization order
✓Cleaning, packaging, sterilization, storage — learn the sequence.
✕Skipping OSHA content
✓The bloodborne-pathogen standard drives the safety items.
✕Missing the annual renewal
✓Renew with continuing education every year.
What you'll face
What question types will I see?
The DANB GC exam contains 90 multiple-choice questions in 90 minutes, covering microbiology and disease transmission, infection prevention and control, and occupational safety. Item formats include direct knowledge, procedure-sequence, and scenario questions. The samples below are editor-written illustrations of the published exam outline, not live exam items.
PPE, sterilization, disinfection, and instrument processing.
Pathogens, transmission routes, and standard precautions.
OSHA standards, exposure control, and waste handling.
Try these
Q1What is the correct sequence for processing contaminated dental instruments?
Answer:B
Instruments are cleaned to remove debris, packaged, then sterilized.
Q2Which precaution applies to all patients regardless of diagnosis?
Answer:B
Standard precautions apply to all patient care, treating every patient’s blood and body fluids as potentially infectious.
Q3Which OSHA requirement applies to dental practices with employees?
Answer:A
OSHA’s bloodborne-pathogen standard requires a written exposure-control plan for practices with employees.
Samples are editor-written illustrations of the published exam outline, not live exam items.
The big day
What should I expect on exam day?
The DANB GC exam is taken on computer at a DANB-authorized testing center: 90 multiple-choice questions with 90 minutes, pass/fail via DANB’s standard-setting, with results typically available immediately or within a short window. The core rules: bring valid photo ID, arrive early, and follow testing-center rules. The certification is valid for one year and renews with continuing education. The most useful exam-day habits: pace at about a minute per question, answer every item (no penalty for guessing), and on the sequence items watch the order of steps. If you do not pass, DANB allows retakes after a waiting period. After passing, complete the state paperwork if your state requires the credential for practice, track the one-year renewal, and plan the companion RHS and ICE exams to complete the Certified Dental Assistant credential.
Bring
- Valid photo ID
- Arrival at the testing center
- Confirmation of your appointment
Leave at home
- Phone, smartwatch, and study materials (testing-center rules)
- Personal notes in the testing room
How the day runs
Rules in the room
- 90 questions, 90 minutes
- Computer-based at DANB-authorized centers
- Pass/fail via standard-setting
- Annual renewal with CEUs
Afterwards.Passing the GC exam earns the DANB Infection Control certification, the most-taken DANB credential and a component of the Certified Dental Assistant pathway.
Reference
What are the key facts about the DANB General Chairside Exam?
DANB General Chairside Exam is a exam credential; awarded by Dental Assisting National Board (DANB); the exam fee is ~$90; typical preparation is 15-30 hours; holders typically earn $47,300 median, dental assistants (BLS May 2024).
| Credential | DANB General Chairside Exam |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | GC |
| Type | Exam |
| Profession | Allied Health & Medical Support |
| Specialty | Dental Support |
| Awarded by | Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) |
| Difficulty | Applied |
| Typical prep time | 15-30 hours |
| All-in cost | ~$90 exam |
| Typical salary range | $47,300 median, dental assistants (BLS May 2024) |
| Credential | DANB General Chairside Exam |
| Awarding body | Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) |
| Exam format | Proctored, computer-based |
| Validity | Valid 1 year, then renewal with CEUs |
| Languages | Varies — see awarding body |
| Scope | National / Multi-state |
Real questions
Frequently asked questions about the DANB General Chairside Exam
How do I register for the DANB General Chairside Exam exam?
Register through Dental Assisting National Board (DANB)'s official portal or an authorized test provider (e.g., Pearson VUE or Prometric where applicable). Create an account, select the exam, pay the fee, and schedule a date.
How much does the exam cost?
Fees vary by location and currency. Confirm the current fee on the official registration page before scheduling.
How long is the credential valid, and how do I renew?
Validity varies by credential (commonly 2–3 years). Renewal usually requires continuing education or a recertification exam — see Dental Assisting National Board (DANB)'s policy.
What if I do not pass?
Most bodies allow retakes after a waiting period and payment of the full or partial fee. Check Dental Assisting National Board (DANB)'s retake policy before rescheduling.
How do I register for a DANB credential?
Create an account at danb.org, choose your exam, confirm eligibility, pay the fee, and schedule through the Pearson VUE link in your approval email within the 60-day window.
How do I renew my DANB CDA?
Renew annually in your DANB account by attesting to 12 CDE credits, current CPR, and background questions, and paying the renewal fee. Keep CDE and CPR documentation for two years in case of audit.
Are DANB exams recognized by states?
Yes — DANB certifications are recognized or required in 39 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Air Force, and the VA, though specific duties and titles vary by state law.
In short
Is the DANB General Chairside Exam worth it?
- DANB General Chairside Exam is awarded by Dental Assisting National Board (DANB).
- Validates job-ready competence in Allied Health.
- Registration is through the awarding body or an authorized test provider.
- Renewal and retake policies vary — confirm before scheduling.
Same awarding body
What other credentials does Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) award?
Worth comparing
How does the DANB General Chairside Exam compare with similar credentials?
Trust
Where does this information come from?
Everything above is taken from the awarding body's own published material. Fees, question counts and domain weights are revised regularly — check the official page before you pay.
- Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) certification programme Programme rules
Research confidence: low · Last reviewed 2026-08