Career Details

Certified Dental Technician

Description

Certification is the process of assessing a dental technician's knowledge and applied skill level necessary to perform the tasks required of a dental technician. The skill standard,based upon this knowledge and applied skill, is the level required to perform successfully and is the baseline for certification testing. Once the dental technician successfully passes the examination, they are then considered a Certified Dental Technician and issued the CDT designation.

Certifying Organization

National Board for Certification - National Association of Dental Laboratories

Details

If significant education or training is needed? Yes

If significant work experience is needed? Yes

Is an exam required? Yes

How many years until certification must be renewed? 2 year(s)

Certification can be renewed with Continuing Education Units? Yes

Certification can be renewed with re-examination? Unknown

Certification can be renewed with Continuing Professional Development? Unknown

Certification can be renewed in multiple ways? No

Certificates

Certificate name

Certified Dental Technician - Partial Dentures

Certifying Organization

National Board for Certification in Dental Laboratory Technology

Type

A - Core

Certificate name

Recognized Graduate

Certifying Organization

National Board for Certification in Dental Laboratory Technology

Type

A - Core

Certificate name

Certified Preventative Functions Dental Assistant

Certifying Organization

Dental Assisting National Board

Type

A - Core

Related Careers

Calibration Technologists and Technicians

Median Annual Income

$66,254

Projected Job Growth

+6 %

Career Cluster(s)

Energy & Natural Resources

Most Common Education Level

Associate's degree

Execute or adapt procedures and techniques for calibrating measurement devices, by applying knowledge of measurement science, mathematics, physics, chemistry, and electronics, sometimes under the direction of engineering staff. Determine measurement standard suitability for calibrating measurement devices. May perform preventive maintenance on equipment. May perform corrective actions to address identified calibration problems.

RealisticConventionalInvestigative

Dental Hygienists

Median Annual Income

$77,909

Projected Job Growth

+9 %

Career Cluster(s)

Healthcare & Human Services

Most Common Education Level

Associate's degree

Administer oral hygiene care to patients. Assess patient oral hygiene problems or needs and maintain health records. Advise patients on oral health maintenance and disease prevention. May provide advanced care such as providing fluoride treatment or administering topical anesthesia.

SocialRealisticInvestigativeConventional

Dental Assistants

Median Annual Income

$45,601

Projected Job Growth

+8 %

Career Cluster(s)

Healthcare & Human Services

Most Common Education Level

Postsecondary certificate

Perform limited clinical duties under the direction of a dentist. Clinical duties may include equipment preparation and sterilization, preparing patients for treatment, assisting the dentist during treatment, and providing patients with instructions for oral healthcare procedures. May perform administrative duties such as scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes.

ConventionalRealisticSocial

Medical Equipment Repairers

Median Annual Income

$57,591

Projected Job Growth

+18 %

Career Cluster(s)

Advanced Manufacturing

Most Common Education Level

Associate's degree

Test, adjust, or repair biomedical or electromedical equipment.

RealisticConventionalInvestigative

Furniture Finishers

Median Annual Income

$40,367

Projected Job Growth

-2 %

Career Cluster(s)

Construction

Most Common Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent

Shape, finish, and refinish damaged, worn, or used furniture or new high-grade furniture to specified color or finish.

RealisticConventionalArtistic

Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand

Median Annual Income

$43,709

Projected Job Growth

-18 %

Career Cluster(s)

Advanced Manufacturing

Most Common Education Level

No formal educational credential

Grind, sand, or polish, using hand tools or hand-held power tools, a variety of metal, wood, stone, clay, plastic, or glass objects. Includes chippers, buffers, and finishers.

RealisticConventional

Medical Appliance Technicians

Median Annual Income

$44,045

Projected Job Growth

+4 %

Career Cluster(s)

Healthcare & Human Services

Most Common Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent

Construct, maintain, or repair medical supportive devices such as braces, orthotics and prosthetic devices, joints, arch supports, and other surgical and medical appliances.

RealisticInvestigativeConventional

Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians

Median Annual Income

$39,968

Projected Job Growth

+2 %

Career Cluster(s)

Healthcare & Human Services

Most Common Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent

Cut, grind, and polish eyeglasses, contact lenses, or other precision optical elements. Assemble and mount lenses into frames or process other optical elements. Includes precision lens polishers or grinders, centerer-edgers, and lens mounters.

RealisticConventional

Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers

Median Annual Income

$42,504

Projected Job Growth

+2 %

Career Cluster(s)

Construction

Most Common Education Level

No formal educational credential

Paint, coat, or decorate articles, such as furniture, glass, plateware, pottery, jewelry, toys, books, or leather.

RealisticArtisticConventional

Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic

Median Annual Income

$44,405

Projected Job Growth

+5 %

Career Cluster(s)

Advanced Manufacturing

Most Common Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent

Mold, shape, form, cast, or carve products such as food products, figurines, tile, pipes, and candles consisting of clay, glass, plaster, concrete, stone, or combinations of materials.

RealisticConventional

Dental Laboratory Technicians

Median Annual Income

Projected Job Growth

-4 %

Career Cluster(s)

Healthcare & Human Services

Most Common Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent

Construct and repair full or partial dentures or dental appliances.

RealisticInvestigativeConventional

Your One Stop Shop For All Career Resources

Whether you are exploring new career paths, building your resume, or preparing for your next opportunity, our tools, templates, and guidance are designed to help you navigate your career journey with clarity and confidence.