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Dental Hygienist
Some details on this page are not yet confirmed against an official source. See sources below or contact the licensing board to verify.
Graduate of a school for the education and training of dental hygienists approved by the Board and accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)
Degree Required
Required
NBDHE
Required
Clinical Exam
Varies
Total Initial Fees
40 hrs
CE Hours
Allowed
Local Anesthesia
Graduate of a school for the education and training of dental hygienists approved by the Board and accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) Program must be CODA (Commission on Dental Accreditation) accredited. Program length: Minimum 2 years.
Pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE). Format: 350 multiple-choice questions, computer-based. Passing score: 75.
Pass a clinical board examination. Arkansas accepts: SRTA, WREB, CDCA, CITA, CRDTS.
Pass the Arkansas dental jurisprudence exam. Arkansas Jurisprudence Examination.
Obtain current CPR/BLS certification, pass a criminal background check, Local Anesthesia certification (optional, separate course required), Nitrous Oxide certification (optional, separate course required), Collaborative Care Permit I (optional), Collaborative Care Permit II (optional, $150 fee).
Submit your application to the Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners.
Renew your license every Biennial (every 2 years). 40 CE hours required. Renewal fee: $100.
CE Hours Required
40 hours
Per biennial (every 2 years) renewal cycle
Renewal Cycle
Biennial (every 2 years)
Required CE Topics
2 topic areas
At least 1 CE hour in infection control per 2-year period, Remaining hours in clinically relevant dental hygiene topics
Renewal Fee
$100
Degree Required
CODA-Accredited Program Required
Program Details
Minimum 2 years
Program Length
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Required
NBDHE (National Board)
Required
Clinical Exam
Required
Jurisprudence Exam
National Board Exam (NBDHE)
VerifiedExam Name
National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE)
Passing Score
75%
Exam Format
350 multiple-choice questions, computer-based
Clinical Exam
VerifiedAccepted Clinical Exams
Jurisprudence Exam
VerifiedExam Name
Arkansas Jurisprudence Examination
Overall licensing difficulty: 14/100
Study recommendation: 1–2 weeks of focused review is usually sufficient
Practice with realistic exam questions
NBDHE (National Board Dental Hygiene Exam)
Browse study guides
Dental Hygiene Exam Prep Books
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Difficulty rating based on education, exam, and experience requirements. Individual experience may vary.
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Study guides and practice tests for the NBDHE licensing exam.
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Official Title
Licensed Dental Hygienist
Requirements
CODA-accredited degree, NBDHE, accepted clinical exam, jurisprudence exam, background check
Supervision
Under supervision of a licensed dentist
Additional Requirements
Official Title
Collaborative Care Permit (I and II)
Requirements
Collaborative Care Permit I: treat children in public settings without dentist presence. Collaborative Care Permit II: treat children, senior citizens, and persons with developmental disabilities in public settings without dentist presence or prior exam.
Supervision
Consulting dentist required but need not be present during treatment
Additional Requirements
Permitted Procedures
VerifiedAllowed
Local Anesthesia
Allowed
Nitrous Oxide
Not Allowed
Restorative Duties
Not Allowed
Laser Use
Notes
Practice of dental hygiene includes assessment, prevention, and treatment of oral diseases under supervision of a licensed dentist, including removal of supergingival and subgingival deposits. Local anesthesia and nitrous oxide are prohibited under Collaborative Care Permits even if the hygienist holds the certification. Scaling and root planing are also prohibited under collaborative care permits.
Permitted Supervision Arrangements
VerifiedGeneral Supervision
Dentist authorizes procedures but need not be present
Direct Supervision
Dentist must be present in the facility
Indirect Supervision
Dentist has authorized procedures and is available
Unsupervised Practice
Hygienist can practice independently without a dentist
Notes
Standard practice requires dentist supervision. Collaborative Care Permit holders can treat certain populations in public settings without a dentist present, but with significant scope limitations (no local anesthesia, no nitrous oxide, no scaling and root planing). Arkansas is considered a limited direct access state through the Collaborative Care Permit program.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Renewal Fee Biennial renewal (every 2 years) | $100 |
Total Initial Fees Contact board at (501) 682-2085 for current fee schedule | Varies |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
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Renewal & CE Requirements
VerifiedBiennial (every 2 years)
Renewal Period
40 hrs
CE Hours Required
CE Topics
Renewal Fee
$100
Biennial renewal
Regulatory Board
Dental hygienist licenses must be renewed on schedule. Most states require continuing education covering infection control, CPR/BLS, ethics, and clinical topics relevant to dental hygiene practice.
For a deeper dive into CE requirements and deadlines, see our dental hygienist license renewal guide.
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedAccepts Out-of-State Credentials
Reciprocity Type
Licensure by credentials
Transfer Details
Out-of-state applicants must meet all standard requirements including NBDHE, accepted clinical exam, jurisprudence exam, and background check. Must provide official verification from every state where licensed (current or past).
Additional Requirements for Transfer
Dental hygienist license reciprocity varies by state. Many states offer licensure by credentials or endorsement for hygienists with active licenses in other states, though additional exams or documentation may be required.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare Arkansas with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
CPR/BLS Certification Required
Background Check Required
Local Anesthesia certification (optional, separate course required)
Nitrous Oxide certification (optional, separate course required)
Collaborative Care Permit I (optional)
Collaborative Care Permit II (optional, $150 fee)
Arkansas has a distinctive Collaborative Care Permit system (two tiers) for public health settings but with significant scope restrictions: local anesthesia, nitrous oxide, and scaling/root planing are all prohibited under these permits. The state also requires verification from EVERY state where the applicant has ever held a license (not just current), the jurisprudence exam is uniquely open-book format, and the 40 CE hours per biennium is well above the national average. A recent photo (within 6 months) is required on every application.
Arkansas requires license verification from EVERY state where the applicant has ever held a license - not just current states.
The jurisprudence exam is open-book format covering the Dental Practice Act, Dental Corporation Act, and Board Rules.
Collaborative Care Permits restrict scope significantly - no local anesthesia, nitrous oxide, or scaling/root planing permitted.
Application must include a photograph taken within the last 6 months.
40 CE hours per biennium is among the higher requirements nationally.
Dental Hygienist requirements in nearby states
Other professional licenses in Arkansas
See how Arkansas compares: Dental Hygienist License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
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Dental Hygienist Schools in Arkansas
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Moving to Arkansas? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Dental Hygienist license to Arkansas →
Transfer your Dental Hygienist license from Arkansas to: Louisiana → | Mississippi → | Missouri → | Oklahoma → | Tennessee → | Texas →
Arkansas requires a Graduate of a school for the education and training of dental hygienists approved by the Board and accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) from a CODA-accredited program. The NBDHE is required. Dental hygienists may administer local anesthesia. All licensing is managed through the Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners.
Requirements vary by state. Always verify current requirements with your state dental board.