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Dental Hygienist
Total cost: $75-$125
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
$75-$125
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. Kentucky accepts: CITA (Council of Interstate Testing Agencies), CRDTS (Central Regional Dental Testing Service), CDCA (Commission on Dental Competency Assessments), SRTA (States Resources for Testing and Assessments), WREB (Western Regional Examining Board), DHLOSCE (Dental Hygiene Licensure Objective Structured Clinical Examination by JCNDE).
Pass the Kentucky dental jurisprudence exam. Kentucky Jurisprudence Examination.
Obtain current CPR/BLS certification, pass a criminal background check, 46 hours formal CODA-accredited training for LA and/or nitrous oxide registration, Live 3-hour emergency course for general supervision registration (required each biennial period).
Submit your application to the Kentucky Board of Dentistry. Application fee: $75 (renewal year) / $125 (non-renewal year). License fee: Included in application. Total initial fees: $75-$125.
Renew your license every 2 years (biennial); expires December 31 of even-numbered years. 30 CE hours required. Renewal fee: $110.
CE Hours Required
30 hours
Per 2 years (biennial); expires december 31 of even-numbered years renewal cycle
Renewal Cycle
2 years (biennial); expires December 31 of even-numbered years
Required CE Topics
3 topic areas
30 hours total per biennial period, General supervision registrants: live 3-hour emergency course (counts toward 30 total), All CE must be completed by December 31 of even-numbered years
Renewal Fee
$110
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
Jurisprudence Exam
VerifiedExam Name
Kentucky 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, jurisprudence exam
Supervision
Direct supervision (default); general supervision available with separate registration
Additional Requirements
Official Title
General Supervision Registration
Requirements
At least two years and 3,000 hours of practice experience; live three-hour board-approved course in identification and prevention of potential medical emergencies
Supervision
General supervision (dentist not on premises)
Additional Requirements
Permitted Procedures
VerifiedAllowed
Local Anesthesia
Allowed
Nitrous Oxide
Not Allowed
Restorative Duties
Allowed
Laser Use
Notes
Local anesthesia (block and infiltration) and nitrous oxide analgesia each require separate board-issued registration ($50 each), direct supervision of a dentist, and 46 hours of formal CODA-accredited training. General supervision requires separate registration with 2 years/3,000 hours experience. Kentucky also offers laser debridement registration ($50) and intravenous access line registration ($50) - both unusual among states.
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 is default. General supervision requires separate registration (2 years/3,000 hours experience, live 3-hour emergency course, $50 fee per supervising dentist). A separate application is needed for EACH supervising dentist under general supervision.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee Starting November 1 of renewal year, fee increases to $125 | $75 (renewal year) / $125 (non-renewal year) |
License Fee | Included in application |
Renewal Fee Biennial; late fees escalate: $130 (Jan 1-15), $260 (Jan 16-31), $520 (Feb 1+) in addition to renewal fee | $110 |
Total Initial Fees Plus $50 each for optional registrations (LA, nitrous, general supervision, IV access, laser) | $75-$125 |
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Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified2 years (biennial); expires December 31 of even-numbered years
Renewal Period
30 hrs
CE Hours Required
CE Topics
Renewal Fee
$110
Escalating late penalties: +$130 (Jan 1-15), +$260 (Jan 16-31), +$520 (Feb 1+)
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 (Experience)
Transfer Details
Kentucky offers licensure by credentials based on qualifying experience in another U.S. jurisdiction or by examination (approved regional 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 Kentucky with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
CPR/BLS Certification Required
Background Check Required
46 hours formal CODA-accredited training for LA and/or nitrous oxide registration
Live 3-hour emergency course for general supervision registration (required each biennial period)
Kentucky has one of the most extensive special registration systems - offering 5 separate optional registrations at $50 each: local anesthesia, nitrous oxide analgesia, general supervision (per supervising dentist), intravenous access line, and laser debridement. The laser debridement and IV access registrations are particularly unusual among states. General supervision requires a separate application for EACH supervising dentist. Late renewal penalties escalate dramatically from $130 (Jan 1-15) to $520 (Feb 1+). Kentucky also accepts the DHLOSCE in addition to all major regional exams.
Kentucky accepts the DHLOSCE (manikin-based JCNDE exam) in addition to all regional clinical exams.
Kentucky has an extensive special registrations system with 5 separate optional registrations at $50 each.
General supervision requires 2 years/3,000 hours experience AND a separate registration per supervising dentist.
The jurisprudence exam is open-book and completed on your own time.
Late renewal penalties escalate dramatically: $130 to $520 depending on how late.
46 hours of formal training required for local anesthesia/nitrous oxide registration.
Laser debridement registration is unusual among states.
IV access registration for dental hygienists is unique.
Dental Hygienist requirements in nearby states
Other professional licenses in Kentucky
See how Kentucky compares: Dental Hygienist License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
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Dental Hygienist Schools in Kentucky
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Moving to Kentucky? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Dental Hygienist license to Kentucky →
Transfer your Dental Hygienist license from Kentucky to: Illinois → | Indiana → | Missouri → | Ohio → | Tennessee → | Virginia → | West Virginia →
Kentucky 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 Kentucky Board of Dentistry.
Requirements vary by state. Always verify current requirements with your state dental board.