New Federal Law Expands Use of 529 Plants to Include Qualified Expenses on Credentialing Programs
Congress recently passed the Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act as part of a broader overhaul of the tax code, incorporating the bill into the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The bill was signed into law on July 4, 2025. As a result, Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code has been amended to add a new subsection on “qualified postsecondary credential expenses.” This new law expands the qualified uses of 529 Plans (also known as Qualified Tuition Programs) to include costs associated with postsecondary training and credentialing programs, such as occupational licenses and non-governmental professional certifications. This important change transforms 529 Plans from college savings vehicles into more flexible career savings plans.Learn more HERE.
NADL Launches New Occupational Awareness Video
NADL is excited to share the launch of a new video that aims to inform and drive interested people into the dental laboratory profession in ongoing efforts to ensure that dental laboratories can meet growing demand for services from their customers.This new video titled, Becoming a Dental Laboratory Technician, was posted on the NADL YouTube page at the end of October, and as of the end of November, already has 14,000 views. This video is also being shared across multiple social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok.
As part of NADL’s new strategic plan, the organization is committed to increasing occupational awareness in an effort to help the industry better fill its hiring needs. In addition to this video, NADL has revamped the dental laboratory technician career information page at https://nadl.org/career/.
Hiring new employees continues to be a major challenge for dental laboratories. This challenge, however, is not unique to the dental laboratory industry. According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, October 2022 data shows that there are over 10 million job openings in the U.S.—but only around six million unemployed workers.1
NADL is working to help our members by creating a vibrant dental laboratory profession through increasing industry awareness, building community and delivering critical resources. Occupational awareness will continue to be a priority in 2023 and NADL is dedicating considerable time and resources to these efforts.
More information will be shared regarding the NADL efforts related to occupational awareness across NADL’s communication mediums.
Source: 1. https://www.uschamber.com/workforce/understanding-americas-labor-shortage
NBC Launches New Digital Workflow CDT Specialty Written Examination October 2023
NBC Launches New Digital Workflow CDT Specialty Written Examination October 2023NBC is evolving the certification program to better integrate digital technologies into the CDT examination process and will soon be launching a new CDT specialty, Digital Workflow. The Written Specialty Examination for Digital Workflow is launching October 2023!! If you are ready to start the certification process, visit https://nbccert.org/digital-workflow-cdt-specialty.cfm to learn more and register for the New Digital Workflow CDT Specialty Written Examination.
Interested in the new Digital Workflow Specialty? Read through the Digital Workflow CDT Specialty FAQs for answers to our most frequently asked questions. The application deadline to take the Written Specialty Examination in the October Testing Window is September 20, 2023. The Digital Workflow Practical Examination is expected to launch in January 2024.
NOTE: Candidates who test in this initial window can expect a delay in scoring due to the standard setting process.
Contact NBC at certification@nbccert.org or by phone at (800) 684-5310 if you have any questions.
NBC Launches Remote Testing Option for the Practical Examinations
You Voiced, They Listened. NBC is elated to announce that they are piloting a new pathway for the Practical examinations, whereby the Practical examinations can be taken remotely at a dental laboratory of the candidate’s choosing under the constant supervision of a third party remote proctor. Interested candidates will be able to utilize the remote Practical examination testing (RPT) option beginning September 1, 2020. Yes, you read that right – you may be able to take the NBC Practical examination at your OWN DENTAL LABORATORY!Exams will be offered in alternating monthly testing windows six times a year, during the months of January, March, May, July, September, and November, running from the first day of the month through the last day of the month. Application deadlines are the 20th of the month prior to the desired testing window. For example, if a candidate wants to take their Practical examination through the remote testing option in November, they must submit a completed application to NBC by October 20th.
“The NBC Board of Trustees has been researching remotely proctored practical testing options for some time now,” said NBC Chair, Dennis Urban, CDT. “Our goal was to increase accessibility for dental technicians interested in pursuing the CDT examinations, without sacrificing examination quality and security. The COVID-19 global pandemic created the urgency to pursue this option to ensure candidates interested in pursuing their CDT could continue to do so without concerns over their safety.” Like the written examinations, which switched to computer-based testing (CBT) in early 2018, NBC will partner with the proctoring service MonitorEDU for the Practical examinations. NBC has developed a number of security protocols before, during and after the Practical examinations to protect the integrity of the examination process. For example, NBC will be using a dual camera process, using both the camera on the candidate’s laptop computer and the camera on the candidate’s cell phone. Candidates will be required to be on camera throughout the entire duration of the examination. Candidates will also be provided with specific instructions on packaging their work and shipping it back to NBC for grading.
“This option for the Practical examinations is game changing, as it eliminates massive barriers to testing such as travel costs, exam accessibility, reduction of test anxiety and borrowing and transportation of equipment,” said NBC Vice Chair, Mark Stueck, CDT. “It is the final piece to the puzzle of allowing candidates to complete ALL CDT examinations remotely at a location, date and time of their choosing.”
Candidates will be required to have access to the specific dental laboratory materials and equipment necessary to complete the Practical examination work in the specialty of their choosing. Additionally, candidates will need the following general equipment to utilize the remote testing option for the Practical examination:
- Private workbench where the candidate can perform the majority of work without interference.
- Laptop computer with built-in or external webcam, speakers, and microphone (tablets not supported).
o Laptop operating system of Windows 7 and higher or Mac OS 9 and higher. Most Linux are also supported.
o Web browser must be recent version of Google Chrome (50+). - Cellular smart phone with camera with Android 4.1 or higher or iOS 8.0 or higher operating system.
- Internet connection with at least 2 Mbps download and 2 Mbps upload speeds. Both the computer and cell phone will need to be connected to the internet.
- Power cords for laptop computer and cellular smart phone.
- Materials for articulating, packaging and shipping their completed work back to NBC for grading.
For additional information on the new option to take the Practical examination remotely through a third party proctor, including an extended list of FAQs, please visit www.nbccert.org/become-a-cdt or contact NBC by email at certification@nbccert.org or by phone at (800) 684-5310.
