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How to become a licensed dental hygienist in Tennessee. Degree required: Graduate of ADA Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) approved dental hygiene program. NBDHE: required. Local anesthesia permitted. Total initial fees: $86.25+. Verified 2026-03-08. Data verified 2026-03-08. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Dental Hygienist
Some information on this page has not been fully verified.
79% of data points are verified against official sources. 8 fields based on preliminary research. 2 fields need verification. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
Graduate of ADA Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) approved dental hygiene program
Degree Required
Required
NBDHE
Required
Clinical Exam
$86.25+
Total Initial Fees
30 hrs
CE Hours
Allowed
Local Anesthesia
Degree Required
CODA-Accredited Program Required
Program Details
2-3 years
Program Length
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
No state-specific exam. Accepts all major regional exams. Applicants with 3 of past 5 years active practice may qualify for licensure without regional exam.
Jurisprudence Exam
VerifiedExam Name
Tennessee Dental Jurisprudence Examination
Passing Score
75%
Official Title
Licensed Dental Hygienist
Requirements
CODA-accredited degree, NBDHE, regional clinical exam, jurisprudence exam
Supervision
Direct and/or general supervision of a licensed dentist
Additional Requirements
Official Title
Dental Hygienist with Restorative/Prosthetic Certification
Requirements
Minimum 2 years continuous full-time employment within past 3 years. Restorative course: 96 hours. Prosthetic course: 64 hours.
Supervision
Direct supervision of a licensed dentist
Additional Requirements
Permitted Procedures
VerifiedAllowed
Local Anesthesia
Allowed
Nitrous Oxide
Allowed
Restorative Duties
Not Allowed
Laser Use
Notes
Local anesthesia requires certification and must be administered under direct supervision of a dentist physically present. Restorative certification requires 96-hour course and 2 years full-time practice. Prosthetic certification requires 64-hour course. No person shall practice dental hygiene independently from a supervising dentist.
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
Tennessee is NOT a direct access state. No person shall practice dental hygiene in a manner that is separate or independent from a supervising dentist. Hygienists may practice under direct and/or general supervision in the employment of a licensed dentist. Local anesthesia requires direct supervision (dentist physically present).
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee Initial licensure application fee | $86.25 |
Renewal Fee Biennial renewal fee; fee increase effective January 13, 2026 | $75.00 |
Total Initial Fees Application fee plus exam fees paid separately | $86.25+ |
Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified2 years (biennial)
Renewal Period
30 hrs
CE Hours Required
CE Topics
Renewal Fee
$75.00
Biennial; fee increase pending effective January 13, 2026
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.
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedAccepts Out-of-State Credentials
Reciprocity Type
Licensure by Credentials
Transfer Details
A dental hygienist licensed in another state who has actively practiced for 3 of the preceding 5 years may be considered for licensure without taking a regional examination.
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.
CPR/BLS Certification Required
Background Check Required
Local anesthesia certification (CODA-approved program or Board-approved course)
Restorative certification (96-hour course, optional)
Prosthetic certification (64-hour course, optional)
Tennessee is one of the few states offering specific restorative (96-hour course) and prosthetic (64-hour course) certifications for dental hygienists, requiring 2 years of continuous full-time employment. The state is NOT a direct access state. Experienced out-of-state hygienists with 3 of 5 years active practice may obtain licensure without a regional clinical exam. CE mandates a unique 2-hour chemical dependency requirement, and caps online CE at 15 of 30 required hours.
Tennessee is NOT a direct access state -- dental hygienists cannot practice independently from a supervising dentist.
Experienced hygienists (3 of 5 years active practice) may apply without a regional clinical exam.
Limited educational license available for hygienists teaching in dental hygiene educational institutions.
Restorative and prosthetic certifications are unique expanded functions requiring substantial additional coursework (96 and 64 hours respectively).
CE requires a minimum of 2 hours in chemical dependency per renewal cycle.
Maximum 15 of 30 CE hours may be completed online or web-based.
Fee increase approved effective January 13, 2026.
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.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Tennessee.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#41 of 51
Cost
#5 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Dental Hygienists (SOC 29-1292)
Entry Level
$75,730
25th percentile
Median
$81,810
-13% vs. national avg ($94,260)Experienced
$92,840
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
4,550 employed in this state
Source: BLS OEWS – Dental Hygienists (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+4.7%
Average GrowthNew Jobs
+10,200
over 10 years
Annual Openings
12,200
per year (avg.)
218,200 currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Dental Career Ladder+235% salary growth potential
You are here
Dental Hygienist
$81,810
Associate/bachelor's in dental hygiene + NBDHE
Dental assisting program (9-12 months)
$46,090
You are here
Dental Hygienist
Associate/bachelor's in dental hygiene + NBDHE
$81,810
DDS/DMD degree (4 years) + INBDE
$154,460
Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024 for this state. Career paths represent common advancement routes — actual progression may vary. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Estimated total: 112–226 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: Tennessee Board of Dentistry — Licensing Requirements
4–8 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: Tennessee Board of Dentistry — Licensing Requirements
Study guides and practice tests for the NBDHE licensing exam.
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Tennessee requires a Graduate of ADA Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) approved dental hygiene program from a CODA-accredited program. The NBDHE is required. Dental hygienists may administer local anesthesia. All licensing is managed through the Tennessee Board of Dentistry.
Requirements vary by state. Always verify current requirements with your state dental board.