National Board for Certification in Dental Laboratory Technology

What National Board for Certification in Dental Laboratory Technology does

The National Board for Certification in Dental Laboratory Technology (NBC) is an independent, nonprofit certification body and the only ADA-recognized credentialing organization for dental laboratory technicians in the United States, with operations also extending to Canada. Founded by the National Association of Dental Laboratories (NADL), NBC issues three core credentials: the Certified Dental Technician (CDT), the Certified Dental Laboratory (CDL), and the Recognized Graduate (RG), spanning seven specialty areas — Complete Dentures, Partial Dentures, Crown and Bridge, Ceramics, Orthodontics, Implants, and the newly added Digital Workflow specialty launched in 2023–2024.

The underlying technology stack centers on a computer-based testing (CBT) platform delivered in partnership with Assessment Systems Corporation, with remote proctoring integrated through Examity, FastTest, and the MonitorEDU mobile app. NBC introduced Remote Practical Examinations (RPT) to allow candidates to complete the approximately 6-hour hands-on practical component at a laboratory of their choice, removing geographic friction from certification. The MyNBC portal handles certification management, renewals, and continuing education tracking.

NBC generates revenue through three streams: one-time examination fees (e.g., $275 per written RG exam), recurring course-approval subscriptions from continuing education providers ($120 per standard approval or $3,900/year under the Qualified Course Provider program), and branded merchandise sales through the NBC Store (priced $2.50–$40). The organization is headquartered in Tallahassee, Florida, and distributes primarily through its own website, self-serve online applications, and partnerships with dental laboratories that host practical exams.

Name

National Board for Certification in Dental Laboratory Technology

Legal name

National Board for Certification in Dental Laboratory Technology

Website

https://nbccert.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1955

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The National Board for Certification in Dental Laboratory Technology is the only ADA-recognized independent certification body credentialing U.S. and Canadian dental laboratory technicians, laboratories, and program graduates. It administers computer-based written exams, remote practical examinations, and seven specialty credentials including a Digital Workflow track.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Certification and Credentialing

akta.pro primary industry

Secure Browser, Device Lockdown & Exam Security Tools (EDAFADAI)

Keywords

• Professional certification programs
• Dental laboratory technology
• Credentialing services
• Continuing education approval
• Computer-based testing

Headquarters

HQ city

Madrid

HQ country

Spain

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Certification Examination Fees: Fees charged for CDT and RG certification examinations including comprehensive exams, specialty written exams, and practical exams. Candidates pay per examination taken.
2. Course Approval Fees: Annual course approval fees for continuing education providers. Standard rate is $120 per approval, with reduced rate of $60 for CDTs and NADL members. Qualified Course Provider program at $3,900/year for NADL members $1,950/year.
3. NBC Store Products: Sale of branded merchandise including lapel pins, smock patches, stickers, case box stuffers, duplicate certificates, and cling stickers for certified professionals.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

NBC is an independent certification body that administers standardized examinations and credentials for dental laboratory professionals. It offers three core certifications — Certified Dental Technician (CDT), Certified Dental Laboratory (CDL), and Recognized Graduate (RG) — across seven specialty areas including Complete Dentures, Partial Dentures, Crown and Bridge, Ceramics, Orthodontics, Implants, and Digital Workflow. The organization also approves continuing education courses and operates an online store for branded merchandise.

Product overview

The National Board for Certification in Dental Laboratory Technology (NBC) operates as a certification and examination body offering three core certification programs: Certified Dental Technician (CDT) for individual technicians, Certified Dental Laboratory (CDL) for laboratories, and Recognized Graduate (RG) for recent graduates. The CDT certification requires passing three examinations (Comprehensive, Specialty, and Practical) across seven specialty areas. NBC has recently launched a Digital Workflow specialty (2023-2024) addressing modern digital technologies in dental lab work. The organization provides the MyNBC online portal for certification management and maintains an e-commerce store for marketing materials (stickers, patches, certificates) supporting certified professionals. NBC also administers computer-based testing through partnerships with Assessment Systems Corporation and Examity, and runs a Course Approval Program for continuing education providers. NBC is the independent board founded by the National Association of Dental Laboratories (NADL).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Certified Dental Technician (CDT) Certification Professional certification for individual dental laboratory technicians requiring passage of three examinations covering seven specialty areas. Demonstrates mastery of knowledge and applied skills in dental technology.
• Certified Dental Laboratory (CDL) Certification Laboratory-level certification recognizing dental laboratories that meet industry standards. Includes 118 certified laboratories listed in the Who's Who directory with specializations in CD, PD, CE, CB, OR, IM, and DW.
• Recognized Graduate (RG) Certification Entry-level certification for graduates of dental laboratory technology programs, valid within one year of graduation. Allows waiver of the written comprehensive exam requirement toward CDT certification.
• Digital Workflow CDT Specialty Specialty certification for dental technicians focusing on digital technologies. Includes four domain areas: Data Acquisition, Design Indications, Fabricating Restorations, and Maintaining Digital Equipment.
• Computer-Based Testing (CBT) Service Remote proctored online examination service for CDT and RG written examinations, administered in partnership with Assessment Systems Corporation. Requires 30-day testing window, security protocols, and minimum 2 Mbps internet speed.
• NBC Course Approval Program Program for continuing education providers to get courses approved for CDT and RG credit. Includes Annual Course Approval ($120 per approval) and Qualified Course Provider Program ($3,900 per calendar year). Categories: Regulatory Standards, Scientific, and Professional Development.
• NBC Store Branded Merchandise Online store selling branded merchandise including lapel pins, smock patches, stickers, case box stuffers, infection control stickers, window cling stickers, and duplicate certificates for CDT, CDL, and RG certified professionals. Prices range from $2.50 to $40.00.

Quantifiable outcome

• Almost two-thirds of CDTs have held their certificate more than 10 years
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor, major and core.

• LMT Lab Day ChicagominorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 February 2023NBC pilot tested Digital Workflow written examination questions in conjunction with LMT Lab Day Chicago meetings on February 23 and 25, 2023.
• JML Measurement & Testing Services, LLCmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022NBC contracted with JML Measurement & Testing Services to guide the creation of the new Digital Workflow CDT specialty. JML conducted standard setting processes to determine cut scores for written and practical examinations.
• Assessment Systems CorporationcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 July 2018NBC partnered with Assessment Systems Corporation to offer CDT and RG written examinations online using third-party remote proctor. This partnership enabled the launch of computer-based testing (CBT) option for written examinations.
• National Association of Dental Laboratories (NADL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNADL founded NBC as its independent certification board. NADL provides examination preparation materials through its store including Air Force Manuals, Examination Preparation Guides, and CDT Practical Exam Work Visual Reference Guides. NADL also offers an Online Study System for written examination preparation.
• Foundation for Dental Laboratory TechnologymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Foundation sponsored the development of the Job Task Analysis for the Digital Workflow CDT specialty. The Foundation also maintains the Continuing Education Provider Directory in collaboration with NBC.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Pearson VUE: Computer-based testing delivery provider used by many certification programs. Adjacent infrastructure player; functions as a potential partner/alternative to NBC's Assessment Systems Corporation and Examity arrangements rather than a direct competitor.
• Foundation for Dental Laboratory Technology: Sponsoring organization of the Job Task Analysis that underpinned NBC's Digital Workflow specialty and partner on the Continuing Education Provider Directory. Tight ecosystem adjacency rather than competitive peer.
• Prometric: Global testing services provider offering CBT and proctoring capabilities. Adjacent infrastructure participant in the same credentialing delivery ecosystem that NBC operates in, but not a credentialing competitor.

Broad incumbents

• National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC): Allied-health credentialing organization with a comparable examination-based certification and continuing-education model. NBRC's CRT/RRT credentials parallel NBC's CDT in structure though the respiratory-care candidate pool is larger.
• National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT): Allied-health credentialing body with a comparable computer-based testing model and continuing competence requirements. NBCOT's OTR certification structurally resembles NBC's CDT in lifecycle and renewal design.
• American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT): Large allied-health certification body with established computer-based testing infrastructure and recognized credentials. Operates a comparable examination-based certification and renewal model to NBC but at significantly larger scale in radiologic technology.
• National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME): Major medical assessment organization offering standardized examination services. Functions as a credentialing peer to NBC in the broader healthcare competency-verification ecosystem, though at substantially larger scale and scope.

Direct peers

• Dental Assisting National Board (DANB): DANB certifies dental assistants through standardized examinations and continuing education, mirroring NBC's certification model in an adjacent dental allied-health segment. Both are independent credentialing bodies with similar exam/renewal mechanics and dental-focused scope.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/dentallabcert
• Facebookfacebook.com/nbcdlt
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/national-board-for-certification-in-dental-laboratory-technology-inc-

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about National Board for Certification in Dental Laboratory Technology