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Dental Hygienist
Total cost: Up to $325+
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 dental hygiene college or school approved by the board or accredited by CODA
Degree Required
Required
NBDHE
Required
Clinical Exam
Up to $325+
Total Initial Fees
24 hrs
CE Hours
Allowed
Local Anesthesia
Graduate of a dental hygiene college or school approved by the board or accredited by 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. Exam fee: Up to $225.
Pass a clinical board examination. Florida accepts: ADEX. Florida Laws and Rules Examination (administered by ADEX)
Pass the Florida dental jurisprudence exam. Florida Laws and Rules Examination.
Obtain current CPR/BLS certification, pass a criminal background check, Local anesthesia certification (optional; 30 hours didactic + 30 hours clinical; one-time, no renewal needed).
Submit your application to the Florida Board of Dentistry. Application fee: Up to $100. License fee: $37.50. Total initial fees: Up to $325+.
Renew your license every Biennial (every 2 years). 24 CE hours required.
CE Hours Required
24 hours
Per biennial (every 2 years) renewal cycle
Renewal Cycle
Biennial (every 2 years)
Required CE Topics
4 topic areas
24 hours of continuing education per biennium, CPR/BLS recertification required (not counted in 24 hours), 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 more
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
State-Specific Exam
Florida Laws and Rules Examination (administered by ADEX)
Jurisprudence Exam
VerifiedExam Name
Florida Laws and Rules Examination
Overall licensing difficulty: 13/100
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, ADEX clinical exam, Florida Laws and Rules exam, fingerprinting, CPR/BLS
Supervision
Direct supervision of a licensed dentist
Additional Requirements
Permitted Procedures
VerifiedAllowed
Local Anesthesia
Allowed
Nitrous Oxide
Not Allowed
Restorative Duties
Not Allowed
Laser Use
Notes
Florida allows local anesthesia certification with substantial training requirements (30 hours didactic + 30 hours clinical). Local anesthesia is limited to nonsedated patients 18 years of age or older. The certification is one-time and does not need to be renewed with the dental hygiene license. Direct supervision required - dentist must diagnose, authorize, remain on premises, and approve work before patient dismissal.
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
Florida requires direct supervision: a dentist must diagnose the condition, authorize the procedure, remain on the premises while procedures are performed, and approve the work before dismissal of the patient. Florida is NOT a direct access state and does NOT have general supervision provisions for dental hygienists.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee Nonrefundable application fee set by board, not to exceed $100 | Up to $100 |
Exam Fee Examination fee set by board, not to exceed $225; NBDHE national exam fee is $600 (paid to JCNDE/ADA, separate from state fees) | Up to $225 |
License Fee For applicants applying in the second year of the biennium | $37.50 |
Total Initial Fees Up to $100 application + up to $225 exam + $43.25 fingerprinting | Up to $325+ |
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
24 hrs
CE Hours Required
CE Topics
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
VerifiedDoes Not Accept Out-of-State Credentials
Reciprocity Type
None - Florida does NOT have reciprocity with any state
Transfer Details
Florida does NOT issue licenses by endorsement, credentials, or reciprocity. ALL applicants, regardless of licensure in other states, must complete Florida's full examination requirements including the ADEX dental hygiene examination and the Florida Laws and Rules examination.
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 Florida 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; 30 hours didactic + 30 hours clinical; one-time, no renewal needed)
Florida is one of the most challenging states for out-of-state dental hygienists: it has absolutely NO reciprocity, endorsement, or credentials pathway - every applicant must pass both the ADEX clinical exam and the Florida Laws and Rules exam regardless of experience or licensure elsewhere. The state only accepts ADEX (not WREB, CRDTS, or SRTA). Florida also has one of the highest local anesthesia training requirements (60 hours total: 30 didactic + 30 clinical) but uniquely makes this a one-time certification that never needs renewal. The 2024 electronic fingerprinting mandate (HB 975) adds another layer of requirements. Florida also requires direct supervision for all hygienist activities - no general supervision allowed.
Florida has NO reciprocity, NO endorsement, and NO credentials pathway - all applicants must take Florida exams regardless of other state licensure.
Florida requires the ADEX exam specifically; other regional exams (WREB, CRDTS, SRTA) are NOT accepted.
Electronic fingerprinting became mandatory in 2024 under HB 975.
Local anesthesia certification requires 30 hours didactic AND 30 hours clinical (60 hours total) - one of the highest training requirements in the nation.
Local anesthesia is limited to nonsedated patients who are 18 years of age or older.
The local anesthesia certification is one-time and does NOT need to be renewed.
Florida requires direct supervision - no general supervision provisions for dental hygienists.
Board address: 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin C-08, Tallahassee, FL 32399-3258.
Dental hygienist scope of practice is expanding rapidly across states. Direct access, local anesthesia, nitrous oxide administration, and restorative functions vary significantly by state and may have changed since this data was last verified. Always confirm current scope with your state dental board.
Dental Hygienist requirements in nearby states
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See how Florida compares: Dental Hygienist License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
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Dental Hygienist Schools in Florida
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Moving to Florida? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Dental Hygienist license to Florida →
Florida requires a Graduate of a dental hygiene college or school approved by the board or accredited by CODA from a CODA-accredited program. The NBDHE is required. Dental hygienists may administer local anesthesia. All licensing is managed through the Florida Board of Dentistry.
Requirements vary by state. Always verify current requirements with your state dental board.