Dental assistant programs in Spokane & North Idaho
10 programs open to the public, and 1 run by employers and schools for their own people. Each shows its length, cost and format as the school publishes them, what backs it, and a link to enroll. 15 open dental assistant jobs on the board now.
Who approves these programs
Who approves these: Washington registers dental assistants, and the law sets no training requirement to register (RCW 18.260.030). Applicants under 18 must also meet the state's rules for minors, which bar work with exposure to blood or body fluids unless the minor is in, or has finished, a health care training program (WAC 246-817-190; WAC 296-125-131, in effect since July 1, 2026). An Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary (EFDA) needs a license: a commission-approved dental assisting program, a commission-approved EFDA program, and written and clinical exams in restorations (RCW 18.260.050). Idaho's Board of Dentistry doesn't license dental assistants; its rules let them do the tasks they're trained for under a dentist's supervision, with some tasks off-limits (IDAPA 24.31.01.200.03). Source: Chapter 18.260 RCW.
Checked Sep 29, 2026 against each school's own page, the Washington DOH list of approved EFDA programs, and the states' training-provider lists (Career Bridge, IdahoWorks). Dates, costs and approvals change: confirm with the program before you pay. A listing isn't an endorsement, and schools don't pay to be listed here.
Programs open to the public
In alphabetical order by school.
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Carrington College – Spokane campus
Dental Assisting (Certificate of Achievement)
- Where
- Spokane, WA
- How it's taught
- On campus, with labs and an externship
- Length
- As few as 9 months
- Cost
- Ask the school
Tuition is in the college's catalog.
Only the school's own statement; Carrington is an accredited college, but its page names no dental assisting accreditation.
-
North Idaho College Workforce Training Center
Dental Assistant
Next start January 14, 2027
- Where
- Coeur d'Alene, ID
- How it's taught
- In person (evenings)
- Length
- 43 sessions (January 14 to May 4)
- Cost
- $3,995 (Fall 2026 catalog)
Tuesday and Thursday evenings, 5 to 9 p.m., with some Friday morning labs, then an externship in local dental offices. Prepares you for the AMT Registered Dental Assistant exam, which needs a high school diploma or GED.
On Idaho's eligible training provider list (IdahoWorks); Idaho's dental rules don't require an approved course.
-
North Idaho College Workforce Training Center
Dental Assistant Apprenticeship
Next start January 14, 2027
- Where
- Coeur d'Alene, ID
- How it's taught
- Hybrid (in person or live on Zoom, plus online work)
- Length
- 43 sessions (January 14 to May 4)
- Cost
- $3,995 (Fall 2026 catalog)
Only for people already working in a dental office. Classes are Tuesday and Thursday evenings, 5 to 9 p.m.
Only the college's own statement; Idaho's dental rules don't require an approved course.
-
North Idaho College Workforce Training Center
Dental Assistant: Expanded Functions Series
- Where
- Coeur d'Alene, ID
- How it's taught
- Live on Zoom, or in person in Coeur d'Alene
- Length
- 5 sessions (October 13 to November 5)
- Cost
- $389 (Fall 2026 catalog)
A short add-on course: nitrous oxide, sealants, coronal polishing, temporary crowns and removing ortho cement. Tuesday and Thursday evenings, 5 to 9 p.m.
Only the college's own catalog.
-
North Idaho Dental Personnel
Dental Assisting Training Program
- Where
- Coeur d'Alene, ID
- How it's taught
- In person (Fridays)
- Length
- 10 Fridays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (80 hours)
- Cost
- $4,195
Includes an x-ray (radiation safety) certificate, CPR and a 4-hour shift in a dental office. A $200 deposit holds a seat.
On Idaho's eligible training provider list (IdahoWorks).
-
River City School of Dental Assisting
Dental Assisting Program (certificate)
- Where
- Spokane Valley, WA
- How it's taught
- In person (Saturdays)
- Length
- 10 Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (80 hours)
- Cost
- $4,000 (includes sales tax, registration, books and supplies)
Classes meet at Kid Smile, a Spokane Valley dental office. The school lists a winter session from February 21 to April 25, 2027; call to confirm the dates, since classes meet on Saturdays.
A private career school licensed by Washington's Workforce Board, per Career Bridge and the school's page.
-
Spokane Community College
Dental Assisting (certificate or AAS)
- Where
- Spokane, WA
- How it's taught
- In person, with practice in dental offices
- Length
- 3 quarters
- Cost
- Ask the school
Admits 24 students each fall; the 2026 deadline was September 11. You need a high school diploma or GED and at least 4 hours of observing or volunteering in health care.
SCC says it's accredited by the American Dental Association; its Career Bridge listing names the ADA's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).
-
Spokane Community College
Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary (EFDA) certificate
- Where
- Spokane, WA
- How it's taught
- In person
- Length
- 2 quarters
- Cost
- Ask the school
For registered dental assistants who finished a CODA-accredited program, or who have 2 years (3,500 hours) of full-time experience and the DANB Certified Dental Assistant exam. Rolling waitlist, 12 per class; no spring/summer 2026 class.
On the Washington DOH list of approved EFDA programs (approved December 4, 2008).
-
Spokane Dental Assistant School (Zollege)
Dental Assistant Program
- Where
- Spokane Valley, WA
- How it's taught
- Hybrid (online work during the week, Saturday labs in a dental office)
- Length
- 12 weeks
- Cost
- $3,950 (paid in full; payment plans cost more)
Saturday labs, 1:30 to 6 p.m., at Spokane Family Dental, plus a 40-hour externship. You need a high school diploma or GED.
A private career school licensed by Washington's Workforce Board, per Career Bridge and the school's page.
-
Walla Walla University (Workforce Development)
Registered Dental Assistant (online course)
- Where
- College Place, WA
- How it's taught
- Online (self-paced)
- Length
- 6 months
- Cost
- $4,000 (payment plan with a $500 deposit)
A video-based course; the page mentions no hands-on practice or externship. You need a high school diploma or GED, and the fee includes one national certification exam.
Only the school's own statement; Washington's Career Bridge also lists the course.
Run by employers and schools
These train their own new hires or students. For the employer programs, you apply for the job first; many pay you while you train.
- CHAS Health · SpokaneDental Assistant Apprenticeship (paid). You're hired full time ($20.99 an hour to start) and trained for a year (2,000 hours) in clinics in Spokane, Clarkston or Moscow. Applications stay open for two weeks; the 2026 window opened June 29.
Also see jobs that provide training on the board today.
For schools and training programs
Run one of these programs?
Your program first on this page, and in the school spot on the dental job lists (taking turns with other pages' sponsors there), labeled Sponsored. $49 a month, first month free; cancel anytime.
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