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Dental Hygienist
Total cost: $120-$188
Governing Authority
Hawaii Board of Dentistry, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA), Professional and Vocational Licensing Division
Official website →Some details on this page are not yet confirmed against an official source. See sources below or contact the licensing board to verify.
Only two-year CODA-accredited dental hygiene degrees are acceptable for DH licensure
Degree Required
Required
NBDHE
Required
Clinical Exam
$120-$188
Total Initial Fees
20 hrs
CE Hours
Allowed
Local Anesthesia
Only two-year CODA-accredited dental hygiene degrees are acceptable for DH licensure Program must be CODA (Commission on Dental Accreditation) accredited. Program length: 2 years minimum.
Pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE). Format: 350 multiple-choice questions, computer-based. Passing score: 75.
Pass a clinical board examination. Hawaii accepts: CRDTS (Central Regional Dental Testing Service) - primary exam held in Hawaii, WREB (Western Regional Examining Board), CDCA (Commission on Dental Competency Assessments), SRTA (Southern Regional Testing Agency). No state-specific exam; manikin-based exams from CRDTS, WREB, CDCA, and SRTA accepted since January 25, 2021 board vote
Obtain current CPR/BLS certification, pass a criminal background check, Local anesthesia certification in intra-oral infiltration and block anesthesia (REQUIRED for initial licensure), HDHA sponsors certification courses but Board-approved courses from other providers are acceptable.
Submit your application to the Hawaii Board of Dentistry, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA), Professional and Vocational Licensing Division. Application fee: $188 (even-numbered year) / $120 (odd-numbered year). License fee: Included in application fee. Total initial fees: $120-$188.
Renew your license every Biennial; all DH licenses expire December 31 of every odd-numbered year regardless of issue date. 20 CE hours required. Renewal fee: $164 (active) / $12 (inactive).
CE Hours Required
20 hours
Per biennial; all dh licenses expire december 31 of every odd-numbered year regardless of issue date renewal cycle
Renewal Cycle
Biennial; all DH licenses expire December 31 of every odd-numbered year regardless of issue date
Required CE Topics
4 topic areas
2 hours in ethics required every renewal, 8 hours may be completed by home study, 100% online/virtual CEs accepted except hands-skill portion of BLS (must be in-person), +1 more
Renewal Fee
$164 (active) / $12 (inactive)
Degree Required
CODA-Accredited Program Required
Program Details
2 years minimum
Program Length
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Required
NBDHE (National Board)
Required
Clinical Exam
Not 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
No state-specific exam; manikin-based exams from CRDTS, WREB, CDCA, and SRTA accepted since January 25, 2021 board vote
Overall licensing difficulty: 12/100
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, clinical exam (CRDTS/WREB/CDCA/SRTA), local anesthesia certification
Supervision
Direct supervision for local anesthesia; general supervision for patients of record with existing treatment plan
Additional Requirements
Permitted Procedures
VerifiedAllowed
Local Anesthesia
Not Allowed
Nitrous Oxide
Not Allowed
Restorative Duties
Not Allowed
Laser Use
Notes
Hawaii REQUIRES local anesthesia certification (intra-oral infiltration and block) as a prerequisite for licensure - this is unique among states. Local anesthesia must be administered under direct supervision of a dentist. The practice of dental hygiene includes removal of hard and soft deposits and stains from crown and root surfaces to the depth of the gingival sulcus, polishing natural and restored surfaces, and application of preventive chemical agents. General supervision permitted for patients of record who have an existing treatment plan.
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
Direct supervision required for local anesthesia administration (only those categories listed in the course content submitted to the board). General supervision permitted for patients of record who have had an examination by the licensed dentist and have an existing treatment plan.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee Application fee varies by year of application | $188 (even-numbered year) / $120 (odd-numbered year) |
License Fee | Included in application fee |
Renewal Fee Biennial renewal | $164.00 (active) / $12.00 (inactive) |
Total Initial Fees Application fee only; exam fees paid separately to testing agencies | $120-$188 |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
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Renewal & CE Requirements
VerifiedBiennial; all DH licenses expire December 31 of every odd-numbered year regardless of issue date
Renewal Period
20 hrs
CE Hours Required
CE Topics
Renewal Fee
$164 (active) / $12 (inactive)
Biennial
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
Endorsement with requirements
Transfer Details
Hawaii accepts out-of-state dental hygienist licenses. Applicants must meet all Hawaii-specific requirements including local anesthesia certification, NBDHE, and an accepted clinical exam.
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 Hawaii with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
CPR/BLS Certification Required
Background Check Required
Local anesthesia certification in intra-oral infiltration and block anesthesia (REQUIRED for initial licensure)
HDHA sponsors certification courses but Board-approved courses from other providers are acceptable
Hawaii is one of the only states that REQUIRES local anesthesia certification (intra-oral infiltration and block anesthesia) as a prerequisite for initial licensure rather than offering it as an optional scope expansion. Application fees vary based on whether you apply during an even-numbered year ($188) or odd-numbered year ($120). The inactive license renewal fee is remarkably low at just $12 biennial.
Hawaii is unique in REQUIRING local anesthesia certification (intra-oral infiltration and block) as a prerequisite for initial licensure, not just as an optional add-on.
Hawaii accepts all four major regional clinical exams: CRDTS, WREB, CDCA, and SRTA.
Manikin-based exams from all four agencies have been accepted since January 25, 2021.
Application fees vary by whether you apply in an even or odd-numbered year.
Inactive license renewal is only $12 biennial.
The state's island geography creates unique access-to-care challenges.
Dental Hygienist requirements in nearby states
| State | Total Cost | Timeline | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii (you) | $120-$188 | 112–226 wks | |
| California | $200+ | 112–226 wks | → |
| Alaska | $300+ | 112–226 wks | → |
Other professional licenses in Hawaii
See how Hawaii compares: Dental Hygienist License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
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Dental Hygienist Schools in Hawaii
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Moving to Hawaii? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Dental Hygienist license to Hawaii →
Hawaii requires a Only two-year CODA-accredited dental hygiene degrees are acceptable for DH licensure from a CODA-accredited program. The NBDHE is required. Dental hygienists may administer local anesthesia. All licensing is managed through the Hawaii Board of Dentistry, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA), Professional and Vocational Licensing Division.
Requirements vary by state. Always verify current requirements with your state dental board.