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Dental Hygienist
Total cost: $150-$220
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 in dental hygiene from a CODA-accredited program (or educational equivalent as determined by the board)
Degree Required
Required
NBDHE
Required
Clinical Exam
$150-$220
Total Initial Fees
30 hrs
CE Hours
Allowed
Local Anesthesia
Associate's degree or higher in dental hygiene from a CODA-accredited program (or educational equivalent as determined by the board) 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. Maine accepts: CDCA (Commission on Dental Competency Assessments). Maine jurisprudence examination also required
Pass the Maine dental jurisprudence exam. Maine Jurisprudence Examination.
Obtain current CPR/BLS certification, pass a criminal background check, Local Anesthesia Authority (LAN) requires separate application, course, and exam, Nitrous Oxide Analgesia (NOX) authority requires course and exam, Independent Practice (IPDH) requires 2,000 hours clinical practice and written dentist agreement for radiographs.
Submit your application to the Maine Board of Dental Practice. Application fee: $80. License fee: $70-$140. Total initial fees: $150-$220.
Renew your license every Renews biennially on December 31st even years. 30 CE hours required. Renewal fee: Up to $150.
CE Hours Required
30 hours
Per renews biennially on december 31st even years renewal cycle
Renewal Cycle
Renews biennially on December 31st even years
Required CE Topics
5 topic areas
30 hours per biennial period, All hours may be completed by distance learning, CPR certification required, +2 more
Renewal Fee
Up to $150
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
Maine jurisprudence examination also required
Jurisprudence Exam
VerifiedExam Name
Maine 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
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
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
Dental Hygienist (RDH)
Requirements
CODA-accredited degree, NBDHE, CDCA clinical exam, jurisprudence exam
Supervision
General and direct supervision of a dentist
Additional Requirements
Official Title
Public Health Dental Hygienist (PHS)
Requirements
Current RDH license, written supervision agreement with licensed dentist, notification and standing orders forms
Supervision
Written practice agreement with dentist; annual reporting required
Additional Requirements
Official Title
IPDH – Independent Practice Dental Hygienist - Authority
Requirements
Current RDH license (or endorsement eligibility), NBDHE, CDCA exam, Maine jurisprudence exam, 2,000 work hours of clinical practice
Supervision
Independent practice; written practice agreement with a licensed dentist to interpret dental radiographs is required
Additional Requirements
Permitted Procedures
VerifiedAllowed
Local Anesthesia
Allowed
Nitrous Oxide
Not Allowed
Restorative Duties
Not Allowed
Laser Use
Notes
Local Anesthesia Authority (LAN) is a separate authority requiring application, fee, course completion, and exam. Requires direct supervision of dentist. Nitrous Oxide Analgesia (NOX) authority requires course completion and exam; follows RDH renewal schedule. Maine also licenses Dental Hygiene Therapists (DHT), a mid-level provider. Independent Practice Dental Hygienists (IPDH) may practice independently but need a written agreement with a dentist ONLY for radiograph interpretation. Public Health Dental Hygienist settings include schools, medical facilities, nursing homes, mobile units, nonprofits, and community health centers.
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
Maine offers the full spectrum of supervision: direct, general, public health (written agreement with dentist), and fully independent (IPDH - only requires dentist agreement for radiograph interpretation). Maine is one of the few states allowing truly independent dental hygiene practice.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee Application fee | $80 |
License Fee $140 if applying odd-numbered year, $70 if applying even-numbered year (registration fee) | $70-$140 |
Renewal Fee Biennial; total for license with all authorities may not exceed $150 | Up to $150 |
Total Initial Fees $80 application + $70-$140 registration (varies by year) | $150-$220 |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
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Renewal & CE Requirements
VerifiedRenews biennially on December 31st even years
Renewal Period
30 hrs
CE Hours Required
CE Topics
Renewal Fee
Up to $150
Includes all authorities (LA, nitrous, IPDH, etc.); renewal notices emailed 60 days before expiration
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
Transfer Details
Maine accepts out-of-state dental hygienist licenses through endorsement. Independent Practice authority requires 2,000 hours of verified clinical practice.
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 Maine with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
CPR/BLS Certification Required
Background Check Required
Local Anesthesia Authority (LAN) requires separate application, course, and exam
Nitrous Oxide Analgesia (NOX) authority requires course and exam
Independent Practice (IPDH) requires 2,000 hours clinical practice and written dentist agreement for radiographs
Maine is one of the few states offering truly independent dental hygiene practice (IPDH) - requiring only a written agreement with a dentist for radiograph interpretation. Maine also licenses Dental Hygiene Therapists (DHT), a mid-level dental provider. All CE hours may be completed via distance learning. The total fee for a license with all authorities is capped at $150. Maine appears to only accept the CDCA clinical exam, which is more restrictive than many states that accept multiple regional exams. Registration fees vary by whether you apply in an odd-numbered year ($140) or even-numbered year ($70).
Maine is one of the few states allowing truly INDEPENDENT dental hygiene practice (IPDH).
IPDH only requires a dentist agreement for radiograph interpretation - everything else is independent.
Maine also licenses Dental Hygiene Therapists (DHT), a mid-level provider position.
All CE hours may be completed by distance learning.
Total fees for license with all authorities capped at $150.
Authorities (LAN, NOX, IPDH, PHS) follow the RDH renewal schedule and are listed on the license.
Public health settings include schools, nursing homes, mobile units, nonprofits, and community health centers.
Maine only lists CDCA as an accepted clinical exam (more restrictive than many states).
Maine licenses DHT – Dental Hygiene Therapist - Authority
Dental Hygienist requirements in nearby states
| State | Total Cost | Timeline | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maine (you) | $150-$220 | 112–226 wks | |
| Massachusetts | $126 | 112–226 wks | → |
| New Hampshire | $265 | 112–226 wks | → |
| Vermont | $200+ | 112–226 wks | → |
Other professional licenses in Maine
See how Maine compares: Dental Hygienist License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
Related Guides
Compare dental hygienist requirements across all states →
Dental Hygienist licensing requirements nationwide →
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How does Maine compare to other states for dental hygienist? See the full comparison →
Calculate the return on investment for your dental hygienist license →
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Maine.
Dental Hygienist Schools in Maine
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Moving to Maine? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Dental Hygienist license to Maine →
Transfer your Dental Hygienist license from Maine to: New Hampshire →
Maine requires a Associate's degree or higher in dental hygiene from a CODA-accredited program (or educational equivalent as determined by the board) from a CODA-accredited program. The NBDHE is required. Dental hygienists may administer local anesthesia. All licensing is managed through the Maine Board of Dental Practice.
Requirements vary by state. Always verify current requirements with your state dental board.