Dental Hygienist License Renewal: CE Hours & Fees by State
LicenseMap Team··10 min read
Dental hygienist license renewal is mandatory in every state. Letting your license lapse means you cannot legally practice, and reinstatement typically involves additional fees, paperwork, and delays. Most states require continuing education (CE) as part of the renewal process, with requirements ranging from 6 to 75 hours per renewal cycle.
This guide covers dental hygienist renewal requirements for all 51 states in our database — renewal periods, CE hours, required topics, and fees. All data is pulled from our verified state databases and linked to official board sources.
Renewal Overview
51
States Tracked
51
Require CE
$158
Avg. Renewal Fee
6–75
CE Hours Range
Complete Renewal Comparison Table
The table below shows renewal requirements for all 51 states, sorted alphabetically.
| State | Renewal Period | Renewal Fee | CE Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Annual | $50 | 12 |
| Alaska | Biennial (every 2 years) | $200 | 20 |
| Arizona | Triennial (every 3 years) | Up to $325 | 45 |
| Arkansas | Biennial (every 2 years) | $100 | 40 |
| California | Biennial (every 2 years) | $300 (RDH/RDHEF); $160 (RDHAP) | 25 (RDH/RDHEF); 35 (RDHAP) |
| Colorado | Biennial (every 2 years) | $126 | 30 |
| Connecticut | Biennial (every 2 years) | $105 | 16 |
| Delaware | Biennial (every 2 years) | N/A | 24 |
| District of Columbia | Biennial (every 2 years) | $155 | 20 |
| Florida | Biennial (every 2 years) | N/A | 24 |
| Georgia | 2 years (biennial); expires December 31 of odd-numbered years | $260 | 22 |
| Hawaii | 2 years (biennial); expires December 31 of odd-numbered years | $164 (active) / $12 (inactive) | 20 |
| Idaho | Biennial; due by March 31 of odd-numbered years | $0 (effective January 1, 2026) | 30 |
| Illinois | 3 years | $150 | 36 |
| Indiana | 2 years (biennial); expires March 1 of even-numbered years | $70 | 19 |
| Iowa | 2 years (biennial); September 1 - August 31 cycle; dental hygiene licenses expire in odd-numbered years | $150 | 30 |
| Kansas | Biennial; expires December 1 of the year specified by the board | Up to $160 | 30 |
| Kentucky | 2 years (biennial); expires December 31 of even-numbered years | $110 | 30 |
| Louisiana | 2 years (biennial) | $230 | 24 |
| Maine | 2 years (biennial); expires December 31 of even-numbered years | Up to $150 | 30 |
| Maryland | Biennial (2 years) | $182 | 30 |
| Massachusetts | Biennial (April 1 - March 31, odd years) | $60 | 20 |
| Michigan | Triennial (3 years) | $118.80 | 36 |
| Minnesota | Biennial (2 years) | $200 | 25 |
| Mississippi | Biennial (even years) | $100 | 20 |
| Missouri | Biennial (2 years) | $60 | 30 |
| Montana | Triennial (3 years) | $170 | 36 |
| Nebraska | Biennial (March 1, odd years) | $110 | 30 |
| Nevada | Biennial (even years, June 30 deadline) | $300 | 30 |
| New Hampshire | Biennial (February-April, odd years) | $165 | 20 |
| New Jersey | Biennial (2 years) | $390 | 20 |
| New Mexico | 3 years (triennial) | N/A | 45 CE hours per triennial renewal period |
| New York | 3 years (triennial) | 169 | 24 CE hours per triennial renewal period (max 12 via distance learning) |
| North Carolina | 1 year (annual) | N/A | 6 CE hours per year (12 per 2-year period) -- lowest nationally |
| North Dakota | 2 years (biennial, odd years) | N/A | 18 CE hours per biennial renewal period |
| Ohio | 2 years (biennial) | N/A | 24 CE hours per biennial renewal period |
| Oklahoma | 1 year (annual) | N/A | 20 CE hours per annual renewal |
| Oregon | 2 years (biennial) | N/A | 30 CE hours per biennial renewal period |
| Pennsylvania | 2 years (biennial, odd years) | 59 | 30 CE hours per biennial renewal period |
| Rhode Island | 2 years (biennial, even years) | N/A | 20 CE hours per biennial renewal period (all may be home study) |
| South Carolina | 2 years (biennial) | N/A | 16 CE hours per biennial renewal period |
| South Dakota | 5 years (CE cycle) | N/A | 75 |
| Tennessee | 2 years (biennial) | $75.00 | 30 |
| Texas | 2 years (biennial) | N/A | 24 |
| Utah | 2 years (biennial, expires May 31 of even years) | N/A | 30 |
| Vermont | 2 years (biennial, fixed 2-year periods) | $245 | 18 |
| Virginia | 1 year (annual, in licensee's birth month) | N/A | 15 |
| Washington | 1 year (annual, expires on credential holder's birthday) | $70 | 15 |
| West Virginia | 2 years (biennial) | N/A | 20 |
| Wisconsin | 2 years (biennial, due September 30 of odd-numbered years) | $68 | 12 |
| Wyoming | 2 years (biennial, odd-numbered years, October 1 - December 31) | $200 | 16 |
Renewal Periods by State
Here is how states group by renewal period length:
Annual (1 state)
Biennial (even years) (1 state)
Biennial (February-April, odd years) (1 state)
Biennial; expires December 1 of the year specified by the board (1 state)
Biennial (April 1 - March 31, odd years) (1 state)
Biennial (March 1, odd years) (1 state)
1 year (annual) (2 states)
1 year (annual, in licensee's birth month) (1 state)
1 year (annual, expires on credential holder's birthday) (1 state)
Biennial (every 2 years) (8 states)
2 years (biennial); expires March 1 of even-numbered years (1 state)
2 years (biennial); September 1 - August 31 cycle; dental hygiene licenses expire in odd-numbered years (1 state)
2 years (biennial) (7 states)
Biennial (2 years) (4 states)
2 years (biennial, odd years) (2 states)
2 years (biennial, even years) (1 state)
2 years (biennial, expires May 31 of even years) (1 state)
2 years (biennial, fixed 2-year periods) (1 state)
2 years (biennial, due September 30 of odd-numbered years) (1 state)
2 years (biennial, odd-numbered years, October 1 - December 31) (1 state)
Triennial (every 3 years) (1 state)
3 years (1 state)
3 years (triennial) (2 states)
5 years (CE cycle) (1 state)
Biennial (even years, June 30 deadline) (1 state)
Biennial; due by March 31 of odd-numbered years (1 state)
Continuing Education Topics
Dental hygienist CE is not just about racking up hours — most state boards mandate coursework in specific clinical and regulatory topics. Below are the most common CE topics required across all states:
| CE Topic | States Requiring |
|---|---|
| CPR/BLS | 6 |
| 2 hours infection control (mandatory) | 3 |
| Clinical and scientific topics | 3 |
| Remaining hours in clinically relevant dental hygiene topics | 2 |
| 1 hour infection control (mandatory) | 2 |
| 1 hour infection control | 2 |
| Minimum 6 hours must be live training | 1 |
| Minimum 1 hour infectious disease control (annually) | 1 |
| Minimum 1 hour ethical considerations in dental hygiene practice (annually) | 1 |
| All 20 hours may be completed by home study | 1 |
| Must maintain current CPR certification | 1 |
| At least 25 hours in clinical dental/dental hygiene topics | 1 |
| No more than 11 hours in practice management/organization topics | 1 |
| At least 3 hours in chemical dependency, tobacco cessation, ethics, risk management, or AZ jurisprudence | 1 |
| At least 3 hours in infectious diseases or infectious disease control | 1 |
| 15 of 45 may be self-study | 1 |
| If providing botulinum toxin/dermal fillers: at least 12 hours in that area | 1 |
| At least 1 CE hour in infection control per 2-year period | 1 |
| No more than 50% may be correspondence courses (RDH/RDHEF: 12.5 max; RDHAP: 17.5 max) | 1 |
| Must include courses in clinical dental hygiene topics | 1 |
| Dual licensees (RDH+RDHAP): only need to complete 35 total CE hours to renew both | 1 |
| 30 hours per 2-year period | 1 |
| If licensed 12 months or less before first expiration: no CE required | 1 |
| If licensed 12-24 months before first expiration: only 15 hours required | 1 |
| Clinically relevant dental hygiene topics | 1 |
| At least 1 hour in infection control in a dental setting | 1 |
| At least 1 hour in cultural competency | 1 |
| 16 contact hours total within the preceding 24-month period | 1 |
| 10 of 24 hours may be completed by self-study | 1 |
| Minimum 2 hours must be in infection control | 1 |
| Minimum 2 hours in infection control | 1 |
| Minimum 1 hour in ethics | 1 |
| Minimum 2 hours in cultural competency or specialized clinical training focusing on LGBTQ patients/clients | 1 |
| Minimum 2 hours on topics designated as public health priorities by DOH Director | 1 |
| 10% of total hours (2 hours) on public health priority topics | 1 |
| 24 hours of continuing education per biennium | 1 |
| CPR/BLS recertification required (not counted in 24 hours) | 1 |
| CPR must include: one-rescuer and two-rescuer CPR for adults/children/infants, foreign body airway obstruction relief, AED use, and ambu-bag use | 1 |
| CPR certification by AHA, Red Cross, or equivalent entity | 1 |
| 15 hours must be clinical science | 1 |
| CPR recertification required | 1 |
| Employment affidavit required (minimum 1,000 hours/year clinical practice) | 1 |
| 2 hours in ethics required every renewal | 1 |
| 8 hours may be completed by home study | 1 |
| 100% online/virtual CEs accepted except hands-skill portion of BLS (must be in-person) | 1 |
| CPR/BLS recertification required | 1 |
| 30 hours total per biennial period (recently increased from 24) | 1 |
| Extended Access endorsement: additional 6 credits/year in medical emergencies, LA, oral pathology, geriatric/disabled patients, children | 1 |
| BLS/CPR recertification | 1 |
| 36 hours per 3-year licensing period | 1 |
| 1 hour Implicit Bias Training | 1 |
| 1 hour Cultural Competency (beginning renewals on/after January 1, 2025) | 1 |
| 1 hour Sexual Harassment Prevention | 1 |
| Mandated Reporter Training (within 3 months of initial licensure, then every 6 years) | 1 |
| Maximum 18 hours by home study | 1 |
| Current BLS certification for health care providers | 1 |
| 19 credit hours total per license period | 1 |
| 2-hour course covering Ethics, Professional Responsibility, and Indiana Statutes/Administrative Rules (mandatory) | 1 |
| Basic Life Support (BLS) course (mandatory) | 1 |
| At least half of hours must be earned through live presentations or workshops | 1 |
| Maximum 5 hours in practice management per license period | 1 |
| 30 hours total for active status renewal | 1 |
| Details in Iowa Administrative Code 481 Chapter 573 | 1 |
| 30 hours total (15 hours if first renewal) | 1 |
| 1 hour of ethics required | 1 |
| ECP II holders: minimum 6 hours in special needs care | 1 |
| CPR certification | 1 |
| 30 hours total per biennial period | 1 |
| General supervision registrants: live 3-hour emergency course (counts toward 30 total) | 1 |
| All CE must be completed by December 31 of even-numbered years | 1 |
| 24 hours total per biennial period | 1 |
| 8 hours may be taken by home study | 1 |
| Reinstatement: must complete half of CE requirement within 120 days | 1 |
| 30 hours per biennial period | 1 |
| All hours may be completed by distance learning | 1 |
| CPR certification required | 1 |
| Up to 10 credits per biennium for IPDH may be clinically applied home study with exam | 1 |
| CE must relate to professional competency | 1 |
| 2 hours abuse/neglect recognition (mandatory) | 1 |
| Mandatory infection control | 1 |
| Maximum 10 CEUs from home study | 1 |
| 2 hours pain management (mandatory) | 1 |
| 1 hour ethics (mandatory) | 1 |
| 1 hour implicit bias per year (mandatory) | 1 |
| 1 hour human trafficking (one-time requirement) | 1 |
| 15 hours fundamental CE (mandatory minimum) | 1 |
| Maximum 10 hours elective CE | 1 |
| Professional development portfolio required | 1 |
| Maximum 5 hours home study | 1 |
| Maximum 4 hours per year CPR | 1 |
| Online renewal mandatory | 1 |
| Maximum 5 hours practice management | 1 |
| All 36 hours may be from home study (unusual) | 1 |
| LAP holders require additional 12 hours per cycle | 1 |
| Maximum 10 hours home study | 1 |
| 4 hours infection control (mandatory) | 1 |
| 4 hours bioterrorism (one-time requirement) | 1 |
| Maximum 50% home study | 1 |
| 15 hours clinical CE (mandatory minimum) | 1 |
| 2 hours medical emergency (mandatory) | 1 |
| First renewal is CE-exempt | 1 |
| 3 hours CPR (mandatory) | 1 |
| 1 hour ethics/NJ law (mandatory -- substitutes for jurisprudence exam) | 1 |
| 1 hour opioid prescribing/drug diversion (mandatory) | 1 |
| Maximum 50% distance/home study | 1 |
| LA permit holders: 4 hours LA CE every 4 years | 1 |
| 4 hours CPR | 1 |
| 1 hour implicit bias | 1 |
| 2 hours CPR | 1 |
| 2 hours infection control | 1 |
| Dental radiography (5 hours per 5-year cycle required) | 1 |
| CPR/BLS certification must be maintained current | 1 |
| Chemical dependency (minimum 2 of 30 hours required) | 1 |
| Maximum 15 hours may be online/web-based | 1 |
| At least 16 hours technical/scientific coursework related to clinical patient care | 1 |
| Up to 8 hours risk-management courses (ethics, HIPAA, record-keeping) | 1 |
| Up to 8 hours self-study formats | 1 |
| Human trafficking prevention course (required as part of 24 hours) | 1 |
| Jurisprudence Assessment every 4 years (separate from CE) | 1 |
| Laser procedures: 12 hours in-person CE including 3 hours clinical simulation if performing laser procedures | 1 |
| Local anesthesia: 2 hours CE every 2 years if certified | 1 |
| Up to 10 hours for teaching dental CE to others | 1 |
| Up to 15 hours internet/home study (verified by exam and certificate) | 1 |
| Up to 6 hours CE sponsored by Utah DOPL | 1 |
| Up to 3 hours practice management courses | 1 |
| Up to 4.5 hours documented volunteer dental care treatment | 1 |
| All 18 CEUs must be clinical for hygienists | 1 |
| Emergency Office Procedures: minimum 2 CEUs (2 hours) | 1 |
| Active practice requirement | 1 |
| Expanded function duties limited to training scope | 1 |
| CPR/BLS recertification (hands-on course for healthcare providers, required to maintain) | 1 |
| Excess hours up to 15 may be transferred to next renewal year | 1 |
| 15 hours every year at renewal | 1 |
| BLS for healthcare provider card must be maintained current (separate from CE hours) | 1 |
| CE records retained for at least 4 years | 1 |
| Maximum 80% may be graded audio/visual, correspondence, or computer courses | 1 |
| Board accepts courses from any ADA or AGD approved provider | 1 |
| General supervision certification: 3-hour medical emergency course every 2 years | 1 |
| Local anesthesia recertification as required | 1 |
| Minimum 2 of 12 hours in infection control every 2 years | 1 |
| All 12 hours may be completed by home study | 1 |
| All courses must be clinical in nature | 1 |
| BLS certification required separately (does NOT count toward 16 hours) | 1 |
| Business/practice-building courses NOT accepted | 1 |
| No restriction on online vs in-person | 1 |
| No carryover of excess hours to next period | 1 |
| New licensees in even years: only 8 hours required for following year | 1 |
| New licensees in odd years: no CE required upon initial renewal | 1 |
Tips for a Smooth Renewal
- Prioritize infection control CE. Most state boards require or strongly recommend coursework in infection control and OSHA compliance. Completing these hours early ensures you meet the most common mandatory topic requirement.
- Check jurisprudence requirements. Many states require a jurisprudence exam or jurisprudence CE as part of renewal. This covers your state's dental practice act, scope of practice rules, and supervision requirements. Verify whether your state requires a formal exam or a self-study course.
- Stay current on clinical practice updates. CE topics like pharmacology, radiography safety, and pain management evolve as guidelines change. Taking clinically focused CE keeps your skills sharp and meets state-specific topic mandates.
- Track your renewal date. Set calendar reminders at least 90 days before expiration. Many state boards send reminders, but the responsibility is yours. Late renewals often incur penalty fees and may require additional documentation.
- Spread CE over the renewal period. Do not cram all your hours into the final weeks. Completing courses throughout the renewal cycle keeps your knowledge current and reduces last-minute stress.
- Keep completion certificates. Save all CE certificates for at least one full renewal cycle, or longer if your state board requires it. Boards may audit your CE compliance at any time.
- Verify CPR/BLS certification. Most states require current CPR or BLS certification for renewal. Make sure yours does not expire before your license renewal date.
Next Steps
Find your state in the table above and click through for full renewal details, including exact fee amounts, approved CE providers, and links to your state dental board. Also explore:
Sources
Renewal data is sourced from official state dental board websites and verified against published fee schedules, CE regulations, and administrative rules.
- Individual state dental board websites (cited on each state page).
- American Dental Hygienists' Association (ADHA) — state licensing overview and CE resources.
- Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) — program standards and renewal-related education guidance.
Data was last verified in early 2026. Renewal fees and CE requirements can change as state boards update their regulations. Always confirm current renewal requirements with your state's dental board before your renewal deadline.
Continuing Education Resources
Study materials for dental hygienist CE requirements.
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