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Dental Hygienist
Total cost: $280
Governing Authority
Idaho State Board of Dentistry, Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL)
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.
Associate's degree or higher from a CODA-accredited dental hygiene program
Degree Required
Required
NBDHE
Required
Clinical Exam
$280
Total Initial Fees
30 hrs
CE Hours
Allowed
Local Anesthesia
Associate's degree or higher from a CODA-accredited dental hygiene program Program must be CODA (Commission on Dental Accreditation) accredited. Program length: 2-4 years.
Pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE). Format: 350 multiple-choice questions, computer-based. Passing score: 75.
Pass a clinical board examination. Idaho accepts: CDCA-WREB-ADEX examination, CRDTS (Central Regional Dental Testing Service), Manikin-based exams accepted since April 1, 2022 (patient-based required prior). Board-approved local anesthesia examination (written and clinical) required for all applicants. Approved LA exams: CRDTS (if taken in 2018), WREB, or Washington State.
Pass the Idaho dental jurisprudence exam. Idaho Jurisprudence Examination.
Obtain current CPR/BLS certification, pass a criminal background check, Board-approved local anesthesia examination (written and clinical) required for all applicants, Current BLS certification.
Submit your application to the Idaho State Board of Dentistry, Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL). Application fee: $150. License fee: $130. Total initial fees: $280.
Renew your license every Biennial; due by March 31 of odd-numbered years. 30 CE hours required. Renewal fee: $0 (effective January 1, 2026).
CE Hours Required
30 hours
Per biennial; due by march 31 of odd-numbered years renewal cycle
Renewal Cycle
Biennial; due by March 31 of odd-numbered years
Required CE Topics
3 topic areas
30 hours total per biennial period (recently increased from 24), Extended Access endorsement: additional 6 credits/year in medical emergencies, LA, oral pathology, geriatric/disabled patients, children, BLS/CPR recertification
Renewal Fee
$0 (effective January 1, 2026)
Degree Required
CODA-Accredited Program Required
Program Details
2-4 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
Board-approved local anesthesia examination (written and clinical) required for all applicants. Approved LA exams: CRDTS (if taken in 2018), WREB, or Washington State.
Jurisprudence Exam
VerifiedExam Name
Idaho Jurisprudence 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, clinical exam, local anesthesia exam, jurisprudence exam, BLS certification, background check
Supervision
Under supervision of a licensed dentist
Additional Requirements
Official Title
Extended Access Dental Hygienist
Requirements
Standard RDH license plus endorsement; Extended Access Restorative Endorsement available for intraoral placement/carving of restorative materials
Supervision
Extended access parameters defined by board
Additional Requirements
Permitted Procedures
VerifiedAllowed
Local Anesthesia
Allowed
Nitrous Oxide
Allowed
Restorative Duties
Not Allowed
Laser Use
Notes
Local anesthesia is standard scope (no separate permit - LA exam required for licensure). Nitrous oxide/oxygen administration permitted with training. Restorative duties available only through Extended Access Restorative Endorsement. General anesthesia and moderate sedation prohibited.
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
Dental hygienists practice under supervision of a licensed dentist. Extended access hygienists have broader authority in underserved settings.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee Active license application fee | $150 |
License Fee Active license fee (effective January 1, 2026) | $130 |
Renewal Fee DOPL fee holiday in effect; renewal fees waived. Late fee: $50. | $0 (effective January 1, 2026) |
Total Initial Fees $150 application + $130 license (exam fees separate) | $280 |
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Renewal & CE Requirements
VerifiedBiennial; due by March 31 of odd-numbered years
Renewal Period
30 hrs
CE Hours Required
CE Topics
Renewal Fee
$0 (effective January 1, 2026)
Fee holiday; late fee $50
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
Applicant must hold an active license in another state, have been licensed for at least one year, and have practiced a minimum of 1,000 hours in the two years immediately preceding the date of application.
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 Idaho with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
CPR/BLS Certification Required
Background Check Required
Board-approved local anesthesia examination (written and clinical) required for all applicants
Current BLS certification
Idaho is waiving renewal fees effective January 1, 2026 (fee holiday) - making it temporarily free to renew. The state requires a separate local anesthesia examination (written and clinical) for all initial licensure. Idaho offers an Extended Access Restorative Endorsement allowing hygienists to perform restorative duties, which is unusual. CE requirements were recently increased from 24 to 30 hours.
Idaho is waiving renewal fees effective January 1, 2026 as part of a DOPL-wide fee holiday.
Local anesthesia examination is REQUIRED for all applicants (not optional).
Extended Access Dental Hygienist endorsement allows restorative duties.
Manikin-based exams accepted since April 1, 2022.
CE hours recently increased from 24 to 30 per biennial period.
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Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Dental Hygienist license to Idaho →
Idaho requires a Associate's degree or higher from a CODA-accredited dental hygiene program from a CODA-accredited program. The NBDHE is required. Dental hygienists may administer local anesthesia. All licensing is managed through the Idaho State Board of Dentistry, Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL).
Requirements vary by state. Always verify current requirements with your state dental board.