Selective Admission: Registered Dental Assistant (RDA)

Grade Point Average (GPA)

No minimum GPA required for this program.

High School Diploma or GED

You must have a high school diploma or GED.

Minimum Age Requirement

Must be 18 years of age by the spring semester to attend the clinical portion of the program.

TCC Student ID Number

First, you must apply to TCC.

Apply online with ApplyTCC (use Firefox or Chrome for the best experience)

• Application instructions: How to Apply for Admission

Once you are accepted as a student at TCC, you will get a TCC Student ID number.

You need a TCC Student ID number for your application to our RDA Program.

Admissions Requirements

1. Attend an information session

   Attending an information session is an admissions requirement.

   All orientation sessions will be held in-person.

   Application Instructions

   When you attend an in-person information session, we will give you materials and forms that you will need for your RDA application.

   We will also give the instructions for completing and submitting your RDA application.

   When & Where

   You do not have to register.

   • Dates: To be announced, Spring 2027
   • Times: To be announced, Spring 2027
   • Place: Health Sciences Building, NHSC 1112/1114

   Questions?

   Laurie Semple, Program Coordinator
   817-515-6151
   laurie.semple@tccd.edu

   TCC Northeast Health Sciences Department
   817-515-6435
   health.sciences@tccd.edu

2. Pass a criminal background check and drug screening

3. Verify you have health insurance

   Student health insurance option:

   • As a courtesy to TCC students who want to get health insurance, we are providing a link to Edusure, a marketplace that gives options for buying personal health insurance.
   • Disclaimer: By visiting the Edusure link, you are leaving TCC's website and going to a third-party website. TCC is not responsible for the content, views, or privacy policies of the third-party site.

4. Complete Dental Assisting Form

   Complete Occupational Outlook Summary Form (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics), which will be in the admission packet.

Valid Social Security Number

Our RDA Program requires a total of 224 clinic hours.

To be placed in a clinic site, you must have the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (TSBDE) Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) credential.

The application for the TSBDE RDA credential requires a valid Social Security Number.

Recommended Course

We strongly recommend you take the following course while enrolled in the program—during the spring semester:

• DNTA–2000 Nitrous Oxide Course & Exam

CPR Certification

You must have a current Basic Life Support CPR certification from the American Heart Association.

Performance Requirements

During your time in our program and throughout your career, you must meet performance requirements to ensure patient safety and welfare.

Immunizations

Texas law and applicable health-care standards establish immunization requirements for students participating in health-related courses involving patient contact. Texas law also provides exemptions from certain immunization requirements for medical contraindications, reasons of conscience, including religious belief, and active-duty military service. Students seeking a statutory exemption must submit the documentation required by Texas law and Tarrant County College (TCC) student onboarding procedures.

Requesting a Statutory Exemption

Under Texas law and Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) (opens in a new tab) regulations, you may request an exemption from required immunizations for:

• Reasons of conscience, including recognized religious beliefs
• Medical contraindications (supported by licensed physician documentation)
• Active-duty service in the U.S. military

Submitting an exemption request does not disqualify you from applying to or being considered for admission to a TCC Health Sciences program. Students seeking an exemption must submit required documentation following official TCC student onboarding procedures prior to established clinical placement deadlines.

Important Information Regarding Clinical Site Placement

While TCC honors statutory exemptions under Texas law, hands-on clinical education takes place at external hospitals, clinics, and partner health-care facilities:

• Clinical facility or other third-party clinical partner rules: External clinical affiliates establish and enforce their own independent health and safety requirements (including specific vaccination mandates such as Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR), Varicella (Chickenpox), Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis (TDaP), flu, or COVID-19).
• No College Guarantee: TCC cannot require an external partner facility to accept a student who has received an immunization exemption. The clinical facility makes the final determination regarding site access.
• Impact on Program Completion: Successfully completing all mandatory clinical rotation hours and competencies is required to earn your degree or certificate. If a clinical partner declines an exemption and an alternate placement cannot be secured, you may face progression delays or be unable to complete the program