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Dental Hygienist
Total cost: $118.80
Some details on this page are not yet confirmed against an official source. See sources below or contact the licensing board to verify.
CODA-accredited dental hygiene program
Degree Required
Required
NBDHE
Required
Clinical Exam
$118.80
Total Initial Fees
36 hrs
CE Hours
Allowed
Local Anesthesia
CODA-accredited dental hygiene program Program must be CODA (Commission on Dental Accreditation) accredited. Program length: 2-3 years.
Pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE). Format: 350 multiple-choice questions (200 discipline-based + 150 case-based), computer-based, 9 hours, administered by Pearson VUE. Passing score: 75. Exam fee: $560.
Pass a clinical board examination. Michigan accepts: ADEX (via CDCA-WREB-CITA) ONLY -- no other exams accepted.
Pass the Michigan dental jurisprudence exam. Michigan Dental Jurisprudence Examination. Passing score: 75.
Obtain current CPR/BLS certification, pass a criminal background check, LA specialty certification ($10, patients 18+ only), N2O specialty certification ($10, patients 18+ only, 50% max concentration), Background check waived for relicensure within 3 years.
Submit your application to the Michigan Board of Dentistry. Application fee: $98.80 (Registered Dental Hygienist By Exam or Endorsement). License fee: $10. Total initial fees: $118.80.
Renew your license every 3-year renewal cycle. 36 CE hours required. Renewal fee: $118.80.
CE Hours Required
36 hours
Per 3-year renewal cycle renewal cycle
Renewal Cycle
3-year renewal cycle
Required CE Topics
5 topic areas
2 hours pain management (mandatory), 1 hour ethics (mandatory), 1 hour infection control (mandatory), +2 more
Renewal Fee
$118.80
Degree Required
CODA-Accredited Program Required
Program Details
2-3 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 (200 discipline-based + 150 case-based), computer-based, 9 hours, administered by Pearson VUE
Clinical Exam
VerifiedAccepted Clinical Exams
Jurisprudence Exam
VerifiedExam Name
Michigan Dental Jurisprudence Examination
Passing Score
75%
Overall licensing difficulty: 15/100
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
Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH)
Requirements
CODA-accredited degree, NBDHE (75 passing), ADEX clinical exam only, jurisprudence exam, CPR, background check
Supervision
General supervision
Additional Requirements
Official Title
RDH with Specialty Certification (LA/N2O)
Requirements
RDH license plus specialty certification; $10 per certification; patients 18+ only; direct supervision required
Supervision
Direct supervision for LA and N2O
Additional Requirements
Permitted Procedures
VerifiedAllowed
Local Anesthesia
Allowed
Nitrous Oxide
Not Allowed
Restorative Duties
Not Allowed
Laser Use
Notes
LA permitted with $10 specialty certification, patients 18+ ONLY, direct supervision required; N2O permitted with $10 specialty certification, patients 18+ ONLY, maximum 50% concentration, direct supervision required; no restorative or laser privileges
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
General supervision for standard hygiene duties; direct supervision required for LA and N2O; NOT a direct access state
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee Initial application fee | $98.80 (Registered Dental Hygienist By Exam or Endorsement) |
Exam Fee NBDHE fee paid to JCNDE/ADA | $560 |
License Fee Per specialty certification (LA or N2O, $10 each) | $10 |
Renewal Fee Triennial (3-year) renewal | $118.80 |
Total Initial Fees Application $98.80 + LA cert $10 + N2O cert $10 (excludes NBDHE exam fee) | $118.80 |
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Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified3-year renewal cycle
Renewal Period
36 hrs
CE Hours Required
CE Topics
Renewal Fee
$118.80
Triennial renewal
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
Michigan accepts out-of-state licenses through endorsement; applicants MUST have ADEX scores -- no other clinical exams accepted; fee is $98.80
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 Michigan with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
CPR/BLS Certification Required
Background Check Required
LA specialty certification ($10, patients 18+ only)
N2O specialty certification ($10, patients 18+ only, 50% max concentration)
Background check waived for relicensure within 3 years
Triennial (3-year) renewal cycle; ADEX is the ONLY accepted clinical exam; LA and N2O restricted to patients 18+ only; mandatory implicit bias CE (1 hr/yr) and human trafficking CE (one-time)
Michigan has a TRIENNIAL (3-year) renewal cycle, which is uncommon.
ADEX is the ONLY clinical exam accepted -- CRDTS, SRTA, and other exams are NOT accepted.
LA and N2O are restricted to patients 18 years and older only.
N2O maximum concentration is 50%.
Required CE includes 1 hour implicit bias per year and 1 hour human trafficking (one-time).
Background check is waived for relicensure within 3 years.
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
Other professional licenses in Michigan
See how Michigan compares: Dental Hygienist License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
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Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Moving to Michigan? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Dental Hygienist license to Michigan →
Transfer your Dental Hygienist license from Michigan to: Indiana → | Ohio → | Wisconsin →
Michigan requires 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 Michigan Board of Dentistry.
Requirements vary by state. Always verify current requirements with your state dental board.