Permits

The MDA does not handle any aspects of the Rules and Statutes or processing of EFDA or Nitrous permits. If you have any questions related to these matters, contact the Missouri Dental Board (573-751-0040). The information on this page is being provided to inform candidates about how to obtain a permit to in Missouri.

View our FAQ page to read frequent questions we receive about Permits.

Apply for Permit

After an auxiliary successful passes an EFDA or Nitrous Monitoring course and received a certification of completion, they still may not legally be delegated skills until they have a permit issued by the Missouri Dental Board. You must apply for, receive and display your permit! 

ONLINE PERMIT APPLICATION

You may still use a PDF form application for EFDA or Nitrous permits, however you can now register/apply for your permits online, as well as track CE and renew any permits.

In January 2025, the Missouri Division of Professional Registration and its boards began operating in a new, modern and 24/7/365 licensure system called MOPRO. Eventually, this online system will be the only way to apply for permits, as PDF forms are phased out.

MOPRO will give you access to your information 24/7, including:

  • Applying for a license or permit. 
  • Renewing your license or permit, whether on time or late.
  • Submitting payments online for your license, a duplicate license, or licensure verification.
  • Changing your name, address, or other contact information.
  • Changing corporate officers or owners of a licensed business.
  • Tracking CE hours.

MOPRO Tips for Success

  • One suggestion the Dental Board offers to help with expediting the process is for applicants to make sure the images of the documents that are uploaded are legible. A photo taken with a cell phone of a folded or crumpled piece of paper from a far distance is not a good way to upload your training certificate. Almost all dental offices have access to some type of digital scanner to scan a document into a PDF that can be quickly and easily uploaded into MOPRO. A clear, legible PDF upload is easy for the Board staff to review and verify and does not have to be converted to a different format to be compatible with MOPRO and the Board’s file storage system. Taking the extra little bit of time to scan the document this way can save quite a bit of time on processing and review! 

EFDA Permit Renewals

Beginning March 1, 2013, every expanded functions permit issued by the board shall be renewed every five (5) years. Current permits will expire as of February 29, 2028. In order to renew an expanded functions permit, the dental assistant shall submit to the board:

  • A completed renewal application form.
  • The renewal fee ($10 per permit). 
  • Satisfactory evidence of completion of 16 hours of continuing education from board-approved sponsors during the five year period immediately preceding the expiration date.
    • All 16 hours of continuing education for renewal must be directly related to the updating and maintaining of knowledge and skills in the treatment, health, and safety of the individual dental patient.
    • Permit holders shall only be required to complete 16 hours of continuing education regardless of the number of permits the permit holder wishes to renew. 
    • Each permit holder shall maintain documentation of completion of the required continuing education hours for five years after the completion of the permit period in which the continuing education was earned.
  • Evidence of current certification in the American Heart Association's Basic Life Support for the Healthcare Provider (BLS), or an equivalent certification approved by the Missouri Dental Board. Online only courses will not be accepted to satisfy the BLS requirement.

PLEASE NOTE: For any permits that are issued twelve (12) months or less from the expiration date of that permit, the permit holder shall only be required to obtain four (4) hours of board-approved continuing education to renew those permits.

EXPIRED PERMITS: An expanded functions permit shall expire if not renewed on or before the permit expiration date. An expired permit can still be renewed at any time within one (1) year of the permit expiration date. Any expired expanded functions permit that is not renewed within one (1) year of the expiration date shall be void.

To qualify for a board-issued permit to perform expanded functions duties, the dental assistant must provide a completed permit application and appropriate fee to the Missouri Dental Board with the following:

  • Proof of EFDA certification (one of the following): 
    • Proof of certification as a CDA from the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) and proof of graduation from an accredited dental assisting program in which the appropriate expanded functions category was completed; or
    • Proof of certification as a COA from the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) and proof of completion of a board approved (Orthodontics only) EFDA course; or
    • Proof of certification of passage of the Missouri Basic Skills Exam and proof of completion of a board approved EFDA course;
  • Evidence of current certification in the American Heart Association's Basic Life Support for the Healthcare Provider (BLS), or an equivalent certification approved by the Missouri Dental Board. Online only courses will not be accepted to satisfy the BLS requirement.