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Dental Hygienist
Dental hygienist licensing requires completing an accredited education program, passing national and clinical exams, and meeting state-specific requirements. Scope of practice, supervision levels, and expanded practice permissions vary significantly by state.
51
Total States
51
Require NBDHE
50
Allow Local Anesthesia
26
Avg CE Hours
Dental hygienist licensing involves education, national and clinical examinations, and state-specific requirements for scope of practice and supervision.
All states require graduation from a CODA-accredited dental hygiene program. Most programs award an associate's degree, though bachelor's and master's programs are also available. Clinical hours are a core component, with students gaining hands-on experience in patient care, radiography, and periodontal assessment.
Dental hygienists must pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) in most states, plus a regional or state clinical exam (ADEX/CDCA, CRDTS, WREB, or SRTA). Many states also require a jurisprudence exam covering state dental practice laws and regulations.
Scope of practice varies significantly by state. Some states allow dental hygienists to administer local anesthesia, nitrous oxide, and perform restorative duties. Supervision requirements range from direct (dentist present) to general or even unsupervised practice in certain settings.
Click any column header to sort. Click a state to view full requirements.
| State | Degree | NBDHE | Local Anesthesia | Fees | CE Hours | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama(AL) | Associate's degree or higher in dental hygiene from a CODA-accredited program | Yes | Yes | $150+ | 12 | Mar 2026 |
| Alaska(AK) | Minimum 2-year academic program in dental hygiene accredited by CODA | Yes | Yes | $300+ | 20 | Mar 2026 |
| Arizona(AZ) | Graduate of ADA/CODA-accredited dental hygiene program | Yes | Yes | $155 | 45 | Mar 2026 |
| Arkansas(AR) | Graduate of a CODA-accredited dental hygiene program approved by the Board | Yes | Yes | — | 40 | Mar 2026 |
| California(CA) | Graduate of a board-approved and CODA-accredited dental hygiene program | Yes | Yes | $200+ | 25 (RDH/RDHEF); 35 (RDHAP) | Mar 2026 |
| Colorado(CO) | Graduate of a CODA-accredited dental hygiene program | Yes | Yes | $150 | 30 | Mar 2026 |
| Connecticut(CT) | Graduate of a CODA-accredited dental hygiene program | Yes | Yes | $150 | 16 | Mar 2026 |
| Delaware(DE) | Graduate of a Board-approved dental hygiene program; high school diploma or GED also required | Yes | No | $210+ | 24 | Mar 2026 |
| District of Columbia(DC) | Graduate of a CODA-accredited dental hygiene program | Yes | Yes | — | 20 | Mar 2026 |
| Florida(FL) | Graduate of a dental hygiene college or school approved by the board or accredited by CODA | Yes | Yes | Up to $325+ | 24 | Mar 2026 |
| Georgia(GA) | Associate's (A.S.), Bachelor's (B.A. or B.S.) degree in dental hygiene from an ADA-accredited dental hygiene school | Yes | Yes | $100 | 22 | Mar 2026 |
| Hawaii(HI) | Two-year CODA-accredited dental hygiene degree (Associate's degree minimum) | Yes | Yes | $120-$188 | 20 | Mar 2026 |
| Idaho(ID) | Associate's degree or higher from a CODA-accredited dental hygiene program | Yes | Yes | $280 | 30 | Mar 2026 |
| Illinois(IL) | Associate's degree or higher from a CODA-accredited dental hygiene program | Yes | Yes | $100 | 36 | Mar 2026 |
| Indiana(IN) | Associate's degree or higher from a CODA-accredited dental hygiene program | Yes | Yes | $25 | 19 | Mar 2026 |
| Iowa(IA) | Associate's degree or higher from a CODA-accredited dental hygiene program | Yes | Yes | $146-$246 | 30 | Mar 2026 |
| Kansas(KS) | Graduate of a dental school or college approved by ADA Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) | Yes | Yes | Up to $100 | 30 | Mar 2026 |
| Kentucky(KY) | Associate's degree or higher from a CODA-accredited dental hygiene program | Yes | Yes | $75-$125 | 30 | Mar 2026 |
| Louisiana(LA) | Associate's degree or higher from a CODA-accredited dental hygiene program (accredited university curriculum) | Yes | Yes | $280+ | 24 | Mar 2026 |
| Maine(ME) | Associate's degree or higher in dental hygiene from a CODA-accredited program (or educational equivalent as determined by the board) | Yes | Yes | $150-$220 | 30 | Mar 2026 |
| Maryland(MD) | Associate's degree minimum in dental hygiene from a CODA-accredited program | Yes | Yes | $325 | 30 | Mar 2026 |
| Massachusetts(MA) | CODA-accredited dental hygiene program | Yes | Yes | $126 | 20 | Mar 2026 |
| Michigan(MI) | CODA-accredited dental hygiene program | Yes | Yes | $118.80 | 36 | Mar 2026 |
| Minnesota(MN) | CODA-accredited dental hygiene program | Yes | Yes | $115 | 25 | Mar 2026 |
| Mississippi(MS) | CODA-accredited dental hygiene program | Yes | Yes | $400 | 20 | Mar 2026 |
| Missouri(MO) | CODA-accredited dental hygiene program | Yes | Yes | $150 | 30 | Mar 2026 |
| Montana(MT) | CODA-accredited dental hygiene program | Yes | Yes | $185 | 36 | Mar 2026 |
| Nebraska(NE) | CODA-accredited dental hygiene program | Yes | Yes | $180.25 | 30 | Mar 2026 |
| Nevada(NV) | CODA-accredited dental hygiene program | Yes | Yes | $625 | 30 | Mar 2026 |
| New Hampshire(NH) | CODA-accredited dental hygiene program | Yes | Yes | $265 | 20 | Mar 2026 |
| New Jersey(NJ) | CODA-accredited dental hygiene program | Yes | Yes | $75 | 20 | Mar 2026 |
| New Mexico(NM) | Associate's degree in dental hygiene from a CODA-accredited program | Yes | Yes | — | 45 CE hours per triennial renewal period | Mar 2026 |
| New York(NY) | Associate's degree in dental hygiene from a CODA-accredited program registered in New York | Yes | Yes | — | 24 CE hours per triennial renewal period (max 12 via distance learning) | Mar 2026 |
| North Carolina(NC) | Associate's degree in dental hygiene from a CODA-accredited program | Yes | Yes | — | 6 CE hours per year (12 per 2-year period) -- lowest nationally | Mar 2026 |
| North Dakota(ND) | Associate's degree in dental hygiene from a CODA-accredited program | Yes | Yes | — | 18 CE hours per biennial renewal period | Mar 2026 |
| Ohio(OH) | Associate's degree in dental hygiene from a CODA-accredited program | Yes | Yes | — | 24 CE hours per biennial renewal period | Mar 2026 |
| Oklahoma(OK) | Associate's degree in dental hygiene from a CODA-accredited program | Yes | Yes | — | 20 CE hours per annual renewal | Mar 2026 |
| Oregon(OR) | Associate's degree in dental hygiene from a CODA-accredited program | Yes | Yes | — | 30 CE hours per biennial renewal period | Mar 2026 |
| Pennsylvania(PA) | Associate's degree in dental hygiene from a CODA-accredited program | Yes | Yes | — | 30 CE hours per biennial renewal period | Mar 2026 |
| Rhode Island(RI) | Associate's degree in dental hygiene from a CODA-accredited program | Yes | Yes | — | 20 CE hours per biennial renewal period (all may be home study) | Mar 2026 |
| South Carolina(SC) | Associate's degree in dental hygiene from a CODA-accredited program | Yes | Yes | — | 16 CE hours per biennial renewal period | Mar 2026 |
| South Dakota(SD) | Degree in dental hygiene from a CODA-accredited U.S. dental hygiene program | Yes | Yes | $140+ | 75 | Mar 2026 |
| Tennessee(TN) | Graduate of ADA Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) approved dental hygiene program | Yes | Yes | $86.25+ | 30 | Mar 2026 |
| Texas(TX) | Degree in dental hygiene from a CODA-accredited school or college of dental hygiene | Yes | Yes | — | 24 | Mar 2026 |
| Utah(UT) | Degree from a CODA-accredited dental hygiene program with degree earned and conferred | Yes | Yes | $464 | 30 | Mar 2026 |
| Vermont(VT) | Graduate of a school of dental hygiene accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association | Yes | Yes | $200+ | 18 | Mar 2026 |
| Virginia(VA) | Graduate of or certificate from a CODA or CDAC accredited program of dental hygiene | Yes | Yes | — | 15 | Mar 2026 |
| Washington(WA) | Graduate of ADA CODA-accredited dental hygiene program | Yes | Yes | $100+ | 15 | Mar 2026 |
| West Virginia(WV) | Degree in dental hygiene from an approved dental hygiene program of a college, school, or dental department of a university | Yes | Yes | — | 20 | Mar 2026 |
| Wisconsin(WI) | Graduate of a school of dental hygiene accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association | Yes | Yes | $78+ | 12 | Mar 2026 |
| Wyoming(WY) | Completion of an ADA-accredited dental hygiene program | Yes | Yes | $200+ | 16 | Mar 2026 |
Dental hygienists work alongside other licensed healthcare and professional practitioners. Explore related licensing requirements.
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See the full comparison table above for all 51 states.
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Licensed in the U.S. and considering practicing abroad? Our international guide covers credential evaluation, exam equivalencies, and country-specific requirements.
See international dental hygienist licensing requirements →