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Dental Hygienist
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 in dental hygiene from a CODA-accredited program
Degree Required
Required
NBDHE
Required
Clinical Exam
Varies
Total Initial Fees
20 CE hours per annual renewal hrs
CE Hours
Allowed
Local Anesthesia
Associate's degree in dental hygiene from a CODA-accredited 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. Passing score: 75. Exam fee: $560.
Pass a clinical board examination. Oklahoma accepts: Board-approved clinical exam.
Pass the Oklahoma dental jurisprudence exam. Oklahoma Dental Jurisprudence Exam.
Obtain current CPR/BLS certification, pass a criminal background check, LA certification, N2O certification, Laser certification, Neuromodulator certification, Vaccination certification, Elder care certification.
Submit your application to the Oklahoma Board of Dentistry.
Renew your license every 1 year (annual). 20 CE hours per annual renewal CE hours required.
State CE Hours
See state board
Renewal Cycle
1 year (annual)
Required CE Topics
CPR/BLS
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
Clinical Exam
Mostly verifiedAccepted Clinical Exams
Jurisprudence Exam
Mostly verifiedExam Name
Oklahoma Dental Jurisprudence Exam
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
Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH)
Requirements
CODA-accredited education, NBDHE, board-approved clinical exam, jurisprudence exam
Supervision
General supervision
Additional Requirements
Official Title
RDH with Advanced Procedure Certifications (LA, N2O, laser, neuromodulator, vaccinations, elder care)
Requirements
RDH license plus approved training for each advanced procedure certification; one-time certification fees with no renewal cost
Supervision
General supervision; NOT direct access
Additional Requirements
Permitted Procedures
VerifiedAllowed
Local Anesthesia
Allowed
Nitrous Oxide
Not Allowed
Restorative Duties
Allowed
Laser Use
Notes
Broadest advanced procedure certifications nationally: LA, N2O, laser, neuromodulator administration, vaccination administration, and elder care procedures. Each requires separate certification with one-time fee and no renewal cost.
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 and advanced procedures. NOT direct access -- dentist supervision required for all practice.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Exam Fee NBDHE fee paid to JCNDE/ADA | $560 |
Total Initial Fees Advanced procedure certifications are one-time fees with no renewal cost | Varies |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
Calculate your licensing ROI →
See how quickly your license investment pays for itself.
Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified1 year (annual)
Renewal Period
20 CE hours per annual renewal hrs
CE Hours Required
CE Topics
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
Mostly verifiedAccepts Out-of-State Credentials
Reciprocity Type
By credentials
Transfer Details
Credentials-based reciprocity for out-of-state licensees
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 Oklahoma with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
CPR/BLS Certification Required
Background Check Required
LA certification
N2O certification
Laser certification
Neuromodulator certification
Vaccination certification
Elder care certification
ANNUAL renewal; broadest advanced procedure certifications nationally (vaccinations, neuromodulators, elder care, laser, LA, N2O); all certification fees are one-time with no renewal cost; despite broadest certifications, no direct access pathway exists
ANNUAL renewal with 20 CE hours per year
Broadest advanced procedure certifications nationally: LA, N2O, laser, neuromodulator, vaccination, and elder care
All advanced procedure certifications are one-time fees with no renewal cost
No direct access pathway despite broad scope
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 Oklahoma
See how Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma.
Dental Hygienist Schools in Oklahoma
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Moving to Oklahoma? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Dental Hygienist license to Oklahoma →
Transfer your Dental Hygienist license from Oklahoma to: Arkansas → | Colorado → | Kansas → | Missouri → | New Mexico → | Texas →
Oklahoma requires a Associate's degree in dental hygiene from a CODA-accredited program from a CODA-accredited program. The NBDHE is required. Dental hygienists may administer local anesthesia. All licensing is managed through the Oklahoma Board of Dentistry.
Requirements vary by state. Always verify current requirements with your state dental board.