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Council reviews exam and licensing statistics; survey shows 74% pass rate for self-study group
Summary
Staff presented fiscal-year exam and licensing statistics and an analysis showing that of 836 applicants who reported self-study preparation for the RDA law and ethics exam, 74% passed; staff cautioned sample-size limits and said further analysis will follow after January changes.
Board staff presented licensing and examination statistics for recent fiscal years and summarized a voluntary survey of exam preparation methods and pass rates.
Tina Valerie presented written exam statistics covering the RDA combined general and law/ethics exam, RDAEF, orthodontic assistant, and dental sedation assistant exams through Sept. 30, 2024, and compared them to the prior three fiscal years. Valerie also summarized licensing-unit data on applications received, approvals, abandonments and denials; monthly license issuances; and counts of active RDAs by county.
Tracy Montez, executive officer, presented an analysis prepared with the Office of Professional Examination Services on a survey question asking how applicants prepared for the registered dental assistant law and ethics written exam. Montez said 836 applicants selected self-study as their preparation method and 74 percent of that group passed the exam. She cautioned that the survey is voluntary and some subgroups have small sample sizes, limiting statistical significance.
Montez also said the board currently has about a 5% vacancy rate. Staff said they will continue priority work after January 1 implementation of sunset changes and will update the council as additional analysis is completed.
Next steps: staff will continue monitoring exam performance, follow up on licensing metrics, and report additional findings to the council and board.
