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How to become a licensed dental hygienist in Idaho. Degree required: Associate's degree or higher from a CODA-accredited dental hygiene program. NBDHE: required. Local anesthesia permitted. Total initial fees: $280. Verified 2026-03-08. Data verified 2026-03-08. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Dental Hygienist
Governing Authority
Idaho State Board of Dentistry, Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL)
Official website →Most information on this page has been verified.
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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
Degree Required
CODA-Accredited Program Required
Program Details
2-4 years
Program Length
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) also required. Approved LA exams: CRDTS (if taken in 2018), WREB, or Washington State.
Jurisprudence Exam
VerifiedExam Name
Idaho Jurisprudence Examination
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 |
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.
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedAccepts Out-of-State Credentials
Reciprocity Type
Licensure by Credentials
Transfer Details
Must have been licensed at least 1 year and practiced minimum 1,000 hours in the 2 years preceding 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.
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.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Idaho.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#28 of 51
Cost
#29 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Dental Hygienists (SOC 29-1292)
Entry Level
$82,870
25th percentile
Median
$84,990
-10% vs. national avg ($94,260)Experienced
$93,770
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
1,800 employed in this state
Source: BLS OEWS – Dental Hygienists (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+4.7%
Average GrowthNew Jobs
+10,200
over 10 years
Annual Openings
12,200
per year (avg.)
218,200 currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Dental Career Ladder+322% salary growth potential
You are here
Dental Hygienist
$84,990
Associate/bachelor's in dental hygiene + NBDHE
Dental assisting program (9-12 months)
$39,460
You are here
Dental Hygienist
Associate/bachelor's in dental hygiene + NBDHE
$84,990
DDS/DMD degree (4 years) + INBDE
$166,560
Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024 for this state. Career paths represent common advancement routes — actual progression may vary. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Estimated total: 112–226 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
4–8 weeks
Estimated processing time
Study guides and practice tests for the NBDHE licensing exam.
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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.