Easiest States to Get a Dental Hygienist License (2026): Ranked
Every state requires dental hygienists to be licensed, but the burden varies considerably. Some states require the NBDHE, a clinical board exam, and a jurisprudence exam — plus high fees. Others require fewer exams and lower fees. Here is how the states rank by overall licensing ease.
Our composite ease score weighs exam requirements, government fees, CE burden, and reciprocity across all 51 jurisdictions. Lower exam requirements and fees earn higher scores. This is not a quality ranking — it reflects the administrative burden of obtaining and maintaining licensure.
Key Metrics Across All States
Min Gov’t Fee
$25
Median Gov’t Fee
$150
Max Gov’t Fee
$625
Avg CE Hours
26
51
States requiring NBDHE
51
States requiring clinical exam
0
States NOT requiring clinical exam
Top 8 Easiest States for Dental Hygienist Licensure
Ranked by composite ease score (exam requirements, fees, CE burden, reciprocity). States at the top have the lightest licensing burden.
Gov’t Fees
$75
NBDHE Required
Yes
Clinical Exam
Yes
CE Hours
20 hrs
Gov’t Fees
$150
NBDHE Required
Yes
Clinical Exam
Yes
CE Hours
16 hrs
Gov’t Fees
$120-$188
NBDHE Required
Yes
Clinical Exam
Yes
CE Hours
20 hrs
Gov’t Fees
$78+
NBDHE Required
Yes
Clinical Exam
Yes
CE Hours
12 hrs
Gov’t Fees
$150+
NBDHE Required
Yes
Clinical Exam
Yes
CE Hours
12 hrs
Gov’t Fees
$150
NBDHE Required
Yes
Clinical Exam
Yes
CE Hours
30 hrs
Gov’t Fees
$25
NBDHE Required
Yes
Clinical Exam
Yes
CE Hours
19 hrs
Gov’t Fees
$146-$246
NBDHE Required
Yes
Clinical Exam
Yes
CE Hours
30 hrs
Full Rankings — All 51 States
| # | State | Fees | NBDHE | Clinical | Jurisp. | CE Hrs | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Jersey | $75 | Yes | Yes | No | 20 | 50 |
| 2 | Connecticut | $150 | Yes | Yes | No | 16 | 45 |
| 3 | Hawaii | $120-$188 | Yes | Yes | No | 20 | 45 |
| 4 | Wisconsin | $78+ | Yes | Yes | Yes | 12 | 45 |
| 5 | Alabama | $150+ | Yes | Yes | Yes | 12 | 40 |
| 6 | Colorado | $150 | Yes | Yes | No | 30 | 40 |
| 7 | Indiana | $25 | Yes | Yes | Yes | 19 | 40 |
| 8 | Iowa | $146-$246 | Yes | Yes | No | 30 | 40 |
| 9 | Kansas | Up to $100 | Yes | Yes | No | 30 | 40 |
| 10 | Kentucky | $75-$125 | Yes | Yes | Yes | 30 | 35 |
| 11 | Massachusetts | $126 | Yes | Yes | Yes | 20 | 35 |
| 12 | Tennessee | $86.25+ | Yes | Yes | Yes | 30 | 35 |
| 13 | Washington | $100+ | Yes | Yes | Yes | 15 | 35 |
| 14 | Alaska | $300+ | Yes | Yes | Yes | 20 | 30 |
| 15 | Georgia | $100 | Yes | Yes | Yes | 22 | 30 |
| 16 | Maine | $150-$220 | Yes | Yes | Yes | 30 | 30 |
| 17 | Minnesota | $115 | Yes | Yes | Yes | 25 | 30 |
| 18 | Missouri | $150 | Yes | Yes | Yes | 30 | 30 |
| 19 | Nebraska | $180.25 | Yes | Yes | Yes | 30 | 30 |
| 20 | New Hampshire | $265 | Yes | Yes | Yes | 20 | 30 |
| 21 | Vermont | $200+ | Yes | Yes | Yes | 18 | 30 |
| 22 | Wyoming | $200+ | Yes | Yes | Yes | 16 | 30 |
| 23 | Arizona | $155 | Yes | Yes | Yes | 45 | 25 |
| 24 | Delaware | $210+ | Yes | Yes | Yes | 24 | 25 |
| 25 | Idaho | $280 | Yes | Yes | Yes | 30 | 25 |
| 26 | Illinois | $100 | Yes | Yes | Yes | 36 | 25 |
| 27 | Louisiana | $280+ | Yes | Yes | Yes | 24 | 25 |
| 28 | Maryland | $325 | Yes | Yes | Yes | 30 | 25 |
| 29 | Michigan | $118.80 | Yes | Yes | Yes | 36 | 25 |
| 30 | Mississippi | $400 | Yes | Yes | Yes | 20 | 25 |
| 31 | Montana | $185 | Yes | Yes | Yes | 36 | 25 |
| 32 | South Dakota | $140+ | Yes | Yes | Yes | 75 | 25 |
| 33 | California | $200+ | Yes | Yes | Yes | 25 (RDH/RDHEF); 35 (RDHAP) | 20 |
| 34 | District of Columbia | — | Yes | Yes | Yes | 20 | 20 |
| 35 | New York | — | Yes | Yes | No | 24 CE hours per triennial renewal period (max 12 via distance learning) | 20 |
| 36 | Utah | $464 | Yes | Yes | Yes | 30 | 20 |
| 37 | Virginia | — | Yes | Yes | Yes | 15 | 20 |
| 38 | West Virginia | — | Yes | Yes | Yes | 20 | 20 |
| 39 | Florida | Up to $325+ | Yes | Yes | Yes | 24 | 15 |
| 40 | Nevada | $625 | Yes | Yes | Yes | 30 | 15 |
| 41 | Texas | — | Yes | Yes | Yes | 24 | 15 |
| 42 | Arkansas | — | Yes | Yes | Yes | 40 | 10 |
| 43 | New Mexico | — | Yes | Yes | Yes | 45 CE hours per triennial renewal period | 10 |
| 44 | North Carolina | — | Yes | Yes | Yes | 6 CE hours per year (12 per 2-year period) -- lowest nationally | 10 |
| 45 | North Dakota | — | Yes | Yes | Yes | 18 CE hours per biennial renewal period | 10 |
| 46 | Ohio | — | Yes | Yes | Yes | 24 CE hours per biennial renewal period | 10 |
| 47 | Oklahoma | — | Yes | Yes | Yes | 20 CE hours per annual renewal | 10 |
| 48 | Oregon | — | Yes | Yes | Yes | 30 CE hours per biennial renewal period | 10 |
| 49 | Pennsylvania | — | Yes | Yes | Yes | 30 CE hours per biennial renewal period | 10 |
| 50 | Rhode Island | — | Yes | Yes | Yes | 20 CE hours per biennial renewal period (all may be home study) | 10 |
| 51 | South Carolina | — | Yes | Yes | Yes | 16 CE hours per biennial renewal period | 10 |
What “Easiest” Does Not Mean
- Not a quality indicator: States with fewer exam requirements are not less rigorous in education standards — all states require CODA-accredited programs.
- Scope of practice varies: Some “easier” states may offer less expanded scope (fewer local anesthesia permissions, less independent practice). Only 50 states allow local anesthesia administration.
- Salary differences: States with lower fees often have lower cost of living but may also have lower dental hygienist salaries.
- CE costs add up: CE hours range from 12 to 75 hours per renewal period. Even in states with low application fees, ongoing CE costs can differ significantly.
Next Steps
How to Become a Dental Hygienist →
Step-by-step guide: education, exams, and licensure
Dental Hygienist License Cost by State →
Government fee breakdowns, from $25 to $625
Sources
- State dental board websites (all 51 jurisdictions)
- American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) — adha.org
- Ease scores are a composite computed from exam requirements, fees, CE burden, and reciprocity. They are not official rankings.
- Data last verified March 2026
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