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Dental Hygienist
Total cost: $280+
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 (accredited university curriculum)
Degree Required
Required
NBDHE
Required
Clinical Exam
$280+
Total Initial Fees
24 hrs
CE Hours
Allowed
Local Anesthesia
Associate's degree or higher from a CODA-accredited dental hygiene program (accredited university curriculum) 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. Louisiana accepts: ADEX examination ONLY (regardless of testing agency - CDCA-WREB-CITA, SRTA, or CRDTS).
Pass the Louisiana dental jurisprudence exam. Louisiana Jurisprudence Examination. Passing score: 75 correct out of 100 questions.
Obtain current CPR/BLS certification, pass a criminal background check, Fingerprint background check at service center (mandatory), 14 hours didactic + 6 clinical experiences for nitrous oxide permit, Complete exam history from ALL regional testing agencies if >6 months post-graduation.
Submit your application to the Louisiana State Board of Dentistry. Application fee: $280. License fee: Included in application (single LBE fee of $180 covers licensure). Total initial fees: $280+.
Renew your license every 2 years (biennial). 24 CE hours required. Renewal fee: $230.
CE Hours Required
24 hours
Per 2 years (biennial) renewal cycle
Renewal Cycle
2 years (biennial)
Required CE Topics
3 topic areas
24 hours total per biennial period, 8 hours may be taken by home study, Reinstatement: must complete half of CE requirement within 120 days
Renewal Fee
$230
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
Louisiana Jurisprudence Examination
Passing Score
75 correct out of 100 questions%
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, ADEX clinical exam, jurisprudence exam (75/100), fingerprint background check
Supervision
Under supervision of a licensed dentist
Additional Requirements
Permitted Procedures
VerifiedAllowed
Local Anesthesia
Allowed
Nitrous Oxide
Not Allowed
Restorative Duties
Not Allowed
Laser Use
Notes
Local anesthesia and nitrous oxide inhalation analgesia each require a special endorsement (permit). Both require direct on-premises supervision of a dentist. Nitrous oxide permit requires 14 hours didactic instruction plus 6 clinically-oriented experiences demonstrating competency. Endorsements expire with the hygiene license. Permit fee: $50 each.
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 on-premises supervision required for local anesthesia and nitrous oxide. Standard dental hygiene duties under supervision of a licensed dentist.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee Licensure by examination | $280 |
License Fee | Included in application (single LBE fee of $180 covers licensure) |
Renewal Fee Biennial renewal | $230 |
Total Initial Fees $280 application + fingerprint background check fee + exam fees to testing agencies | $280+ |
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Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified2 years (biennial)
Renewal Period
24 hrs
CE Hours Required
CE Topics
Renewal Fee
$230
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
Licensure by Credentials
Transfer Details
Louisiana offers licensure by credentials for $930 (significantly higher than examination route at $280). All applicants must still pass the Louisiana jurisprudence exam and fingerprint background check.
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 Louisiana with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
CPR/BLS Certification Required
Background Check Required
Fingerprint background check at service center (mandatory)
14 hours didactic + 6 clinical experiences for nitrous oxide permit
Complete exam history from ALL regional testing agencies if >6 months post-graduation
Louisiana is among the most restrictive states for clinical exam acceptance - ONLY the ADEX examination is accepted (regardless of testing agency). The ADEX validity window is only 3 years (vs. 5 years in most states). The credentials fee ($930) is more than triple the examination fee ($280), creating a significant financial barrier for out-of-state transfers. Louisiana requires a complete exam history from ALL regional testing agencies if applying more than 6 months after graduation. Background check results are rejected if received before the application and fee are submitted.
Louisiana ONLY accepts the ADEX examination (regardless of which testing agency administers it) - this is more restrictive than most states.
The ADEX must be completed within 3 years of application (shorter validity than most states' 5-year window).
The credentials fee ($930) is more than triple the examination fee ($280).
Complete exam history from ALL regional testing agencies is required if >6 months post-graduation.
The jurisprudence exam is 100 questions (true/false and multiple-choice) requiring 75 correct answers.
Background check results will NOT be accepted if received before the application and fee.
Fingerprinting is mandatory (not just a background check).
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 Louisiana compares: Dental Hygienist License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
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Moving to Louisiana? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Dental Hygienist license to Louisiana →
Transfer your Dental Hygienist license from Louisiana to: Arkansas → | Mississippi → | Texas →
Louisiana requires a Associate's degree or higher from a CODA-accredited dental hygiene program (accredited university curriculum) from a CODA-accredited program. The NBDHE is required. Dental hygienists may administer local anesthesia. All licensing is managed through the Louisiana State Board of Dentistry.
Requirements vary by state. Always verify current requirements with your state dental board.