JVS DA to RDA Advancement Application

Before you get started, please have all your available dental certificates ready to upload to the application.

Please also review the Path Chart to see which Pathway matches you best:

Locations: Live virtual seminars, in-person courses

The Jewish Vocational Service (JVS) no-cost DA to RDA Advancement program recruits and prepares California dental assistants who are interested in becoming a RDA. Candidates who are highly motivated to advance in the dentistry field are strongly encouraged to apply.

The DA to RDA Advancement program provides unlicensed California DAs:

Assistance navigating the RDA Application process
Financial support accessing courses required to obtain certifications needed to be eligible for state licensure
RDA Exam Prep Course
Professional Development workshops
Career Coaching

Eligibility

Open to California residents
Must be 18 years of age or older and interested in securing meaningful employment with opportunities for economic growth
Should have a valid authorization to work in the United States, such as U.S. citizenship, permanent residency, or an employment authorization card
Must have worked as a Dental Assistant for at least 15 months and 1,280 hours
Submit copies of certificates required to take the exam
Must be available for the entire duration of the program
Must be committed to finding work as an RDA after receiving their license

Please allow up to 20 minutes to complete this application. You will receive an email confirmation after you submit the application.

Which path will you be applying for today?

Path 1 (15 months work experience and NO valid certificates)Path 2 (15 months work experience and 2 OR MORE valid certificates) Path 3 (15 months work experience and ALL required valid certificates)

Applications must be submitted by January 18, 2026 at 11:59pm.

No exceptions will be made for late submissions.

Applications must be submitted by February 15, 2026 at 11:59pm.

No exceptions will be made for late submissions.

Applications must be submitted by March 25, 2026 at 11:59pm.

No exceptions will be made for late submissions.

Locations: Live virtual seminars, in-person courses in Oakland, CA

The Jewish Vocational Service (JVS) no-cost DA to RDA Advancement program recruits and prepares Bay Area dental assistants who are interested in becoming a RDA. Candidates who are highly motivated to advance in the dentistry field are strongly encouraged to apply.

The DA to RDA Advancement program provides unlicensed California DAs:

Assistance navigating the RDA Application process
Financial support accessing courses required to obtain certifications needed to be eligible for state licensure
RDA Exam Prep Course
Professional Development workshops
Career Coaching

Eligibility

15 months and minimum 1280 hours working as a Dental Assistant that can be verified by the employer(s)
Commit to submitting RDA application to the Dental Board of CA within 2 weeks after completing all eligibility requirements
Commit to working as a RDA after receiving the license
Proof of authorization to work in the United States
Resident of Bay Area, CA

Please allow up to 20 minutes to complete this application. You will receive an email confirmation after you submit the application.

Applications must be submitted by November 12, 2025 11:59pm.

No exceptions will be made for late submissions.

Applicant Info

First Name

Last Name

If you go by another name, please enter it here:

Address

City

State

Zip Code

Phone

Email

What pronouns do you use?

e.g. She/Her, They/Them, etc.

Please note that your personal information

will be securely stored and will not be shared with

any 3rd party without your explicit consent.

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Participation in this program requires authorization to work in the U.S. Are you currently authorized to work in the U.S. and are you able to provide proof of authorization to work in the US?

YesNo

Are you 18 or older?

YesNo

Are you a California resident?

YesNo

Have you received full vaccination against COVID 19?

Do you plan to receive the COVID-19 vaccine prior to the start date of the program?

How did you first hear about JVS?

If Not Listed, please specify

How did you first hear about the program you are applying to today?

If Not Listed, please specify

Which of the following applies to you regarding your employment status?

Have you ever received services from the Department of Rehabilitation (DOR)?

YesNo

What best describes your gender?

If Not Listed, please specify:

What is your primary language?

If not listed, please specify:

Which best describes your race?

If Not Listed, please specify:

What is the highest level of education you have attained?

If Not Listed, please specify:

Are you currently or have you ever been a JVS participant?

YesNo

Who is your main contact at JVS?

Personal Statement

Please write 3-4 sentences explaining why you would be a good candidate for the JVS DA to RDA Advancement program. Include a description of your unique skills, experience, and plans after receiving your RDA license:

Describe your Dental Assistant training. Include: (1) name of school or program (2) location (3) length of program (4) date completed (5) did you receive a certificate of completion? If you did not attend a school, write "Trained on the job":

Supplemental Intake Questionnaire
Work and School Load

The DA to RDA Advancement Program may take up to 5 months to complete due to the Dental Board of CA process time. Are you able to stay motivated to complete and committed the entire duration until you receive your RDA license?

YesNo

Are you currently working (including part-time, contract work, etc)?

YesNo

How many hours per week are you currently working?

(Enter number value, ex: “1")

Are you currently enrolled in school or training?

YesNo

How many hours per week are you currently attending school?

(Enter number value, ex: “1")

Are you able to adjust your work and/or school hours as needed to complete program requirements if you are accepted into this program?

YesNoMaybe

Please explain how you plan to balance your work/school load while fully committed to this program.

Supplemental Intake Questionnaire
SNAP Benefits

Are you currently receiving SNAP benefits (aka food stamps)?

YesNo

What is the current monthly income for your household? Please note that your monthly income does not impact your eligibility to be enrolled in this program, but rather helps us in assessing your eligibility for receiving SNAP benefits.

How many people are in your household, including yourself, your dependents, and anyone else who lives with you?

Do you have children under the age of 18 or any adult dependents you must care for? A dependent is someone under the age of 18 who lives with you or who you financially support.

YesNo

How many dependents do you have?

(Enter number value, ex: “1")

Do you have help with the care of your children or adult dependent(s)?

YesNo

Please describe your plans for securing childcare throughout the duration of this program:

Please share any questions or concerns that you have about the program.

You have reached the end of the application. Are you ready to submit?

Yes

JVS DA to RDA Advancement Application

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Personal Statement

Supplemental Intake QuestionnaireWork and School Load

Supplemental Intake QuestionnaireSNAP Benefits

Supplemental Intake Questionnaire
Work and School Load

Supplemental Intake Questionnaire
SNAP Benefits