The National Board for Certification (NBC) in Dental Laboratory Technology is the independent board founded by the National Association of Dental Laboratories (NADL). It was formed in 1955 as an independent certification organization dedicated to improving the quality of dental laboratory technology through voluntary testing and certification of dental laboratories and technicians.
Today the NBC has over 5,500 active Certified Dental Technicians (CDT), 200 active Certified Dental Laboratories (CDL), and 350 Recognized Graduates (RG).
The NADL is the national trade association representing the interests of individuals and businesses involved in the commercial dental laboratory industry. Through our sister organizations, the National Board for Certification in Dental Laboratory Technology and the Foundation for Dental Laboratory Technology, our combined efforts are working diligently every day to advance the role of the dental technician, foster an environment of formal education and administer professional standards for certification.
Certification Program Standards
While dental laboratories and technicians are required to adhere to certain regulatory standards, voluntary certification programs are not regulated by any government body. However, there are organizations that exist to ensure that certification programs themselves set minimum standards. These standards address the structure/governance of the certifying agency, the details of the program, program transparency, information available to certificate holders and the public, and the recertification policies and procedures.
One such organization that publishes national certification standards is the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). Complying with certification program and psychometric standards is extremely important to the Board. To assist with compliance of standards, NBC works with a third party testing company, Professional Testing, Inc. They assist NBC with several facets of creating, maintaining and operating NBC’s extensive testing program and bring reliability and validity to the testing process.
In addition to psychometric and operational standards, the organization works to ensure governance and structure standards. For example, one of the standards refers to the composition of the board and outlines that, the governing board must include individuals from the certified population and a system must be in place through which all are represented, with voting rights, on the board.
NBC works to ensure that standards are met in a multitude of ways including, but not limited to:
- Job/Task Analysis
- Item Writing
- Item Review
- Pilot Testing
- Examination Form Development and Equating
- Examination Security
- Passing Score Studies
- Exam Maintenance
- Examination Materials Preparation
- Storage, Shipping and Psychometric Consulting and Review
- Documented Policies
The NBC Board of Trustees is composed in a manner to represent all of the certified population and shall determine the policies and manage the affairs of NBC. The Board is comprised of nine members, all of whom must be CDTs, with the exception of the dentist representative.
The Trust recently recommitted the organizations commitment to standards by voting to develop an internal audit program that could serve as a formal review of current and future certification processes. This will ensure that the certification program will continue to adhere to national standards.
Why a CDT designation
A Designation That Lasts The CDT designation is a great achievement and demonstrates a significant mastery of the knowledge and applied skills needed in dental technology. Individuals achieving this designation have demonstrated a competency not all of their peers will achieve. The CDT designation illustrates a technician’s commitment to the field of dental technology and demonstrates their knowledge in all six specialty areas. The pride of earning a CDT is personally rewarding and the CDT designation places the certificant among a group of individuals who are at the top of the dental technology profession. This group forms a basis for networking, professional recognition, friendships and life-long learning.”
Although certification is costly and requires a sustained commitment, it has many benefits for dental technicians, laboratory owners and the dental customer. CDTs and RGs have not only demonstrated competency, but they have shown determination and commitment in completing the certification process. The attained skill and knowledge of the CDT is highly desirable to laboratories. Having this certification provides the dental technician with the advantage of higher salaries, advancement and job satisfaction.
This value is affirmed by statistics that show almost two-thirds of CDTs have held their certificate more than 10 years. Today’s CDTs are dedicated individuals who believe strongly in improving themselves and their profession.
The extensive knowledge gained by the CDT and RG during the required continuing education process assures the laboratory owner, dental customer and the public that this individual is a true student of the profession with a solid commitment to remain at the cutting edge of his or her field.
Continuing Education Requirements:
NBC believes in dental technicians keeping current in the advances that are occurring in the field of dental laboratory technology. Through continuing education courses, testing, instructing and bringing together leaders of innovation, we share our commitment to raising the standards and improving results for all professionals in the dental laboratory industry. XTRAcredits is a CE provider for NBC.
CDTs must accumulate 12 hours of continuing education credit during each one-year renewal cycle. Those requirements are:
One hour of documented Regulatory Standards
Six hours of documented Scientific credit
Five hours of any combination of the following: additional documented Scientific or Regulatory Standards credits, Professional Development credits or other non-documented, self-reported credit.
Why a RG designation
The RG designation is a great achievement and demonstrates a significant mastery of the knowledge needed in dental technology. Individuals achieving this designation have demonstrated a competency not all of their peers will achieve. Each Recognized Graduate (RG) has met industry standards of required knowledge through the successful completion of their education and an independent examination. Following that, RGs must be in compliance with continuing technical and regulatory education requirements to maintain the designation. The pride of earning an RG is personally rewarding and the RG designation places the certificant among a group of individuals who are at the top of the dental technology profession. This group forms a basis for networking, professional recognition, friendships and life-long learning.
Continuing Education Requirements:
RG’s renewing on an annual basis must accumulate 6 hours of continuing education credit during the one- year renewal cycle. Those requirements are:
One hour of documented Regulatory Standards
Five hours may be Scientific, Professional Development or additional Regulatory Standards credits.
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More about NBC:
The National Board for Certification (NBC ) in Dental Laboratory Technology provides professional certification to both dental technicians and dental laboratories. NBC is dedicated to administering and promoting globally recognized certification programs to assess the knowledge and skills of dental technicians and to review facility and staff training criteria for dental laboratories.
Contact information:
325 John Knox Road, #L103
Tallahassee, Florida 32303
PH: (800) 684-5310
NBC’s Headquarters are open Mon-Thur 8am-5pm EST; Fri 8am-3pm EST.
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