Loading...
Loading...
Dental Hygienist
Total cost: $86.25+
Some details on this page are not yet confirmed against an official source. See sources below or contact the licensing board to verify.
Graduate of a dental hygiene program accredited by the ADA Commission on Dental Accreditation providing a minimum of two (2) academic years of dental hygiene curriculum, offered through an institution of higher education accredited by a US Dept of Education-recognized agency
Degree Required
Required
NBDHE
Required
Clinical Exam
$86.25+
Total Initial Fees
30 hrs
CE Hours
Allowed
Local Anesthesia
Graduate of a dental hygiene program accredited by the ADA Commission on Dental Accreditation providing a minimum of two (2) academic years of dental hygiene curriculum, offered through an institution of higher education accredited by a US Dept of Education-recognized agency 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, computer-based. Passing score: 75.
Pass a clinical board examination. Tennessee accepts: SRTA, CDCA, CRDTS, WREB, CITA. 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.
Pass the Tennessee dental jurisprudence exam. Tennessee Dental Jurisprudence Examination. Passing score: 75.
Obtain current CPR/BLS certification, pass a criminal background check, Local anesthesia certification (CODA-approved program or Board-approved course), Restorative certification (96-hour course, optional), Prosthetic certification (64-hour course, optional).
Submit your application to the Tennessee Board of Dentistry. Application fee: $86.25. Total initial fees: $86.25+.
Renew your license every Two-year cycle (January 1 of odd year to December 31 of even year). 30 CE hours required. Renewal fee: $75.00.
CE Hours Required
30 hours
Per two-year cycle (january 1 of odd year to december 31 of even year) renewal cycle
Renewal Cycle
Two-year cycle (January 1 of odd year to December 31 of even year)
Required CE Topics
3 topic areas
Chemical dependency (minimum 2 of 30 hours required), Maximum 15 hours may be online/web-based, Clinical and scientific topics
Renewal Fee
$75.00
Degree Required
CODA-Accredited Program Required
Program Details
2-3 years
Program Length
Browse Dental Hygienist study materials on Amazon →(affiliate link)
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%
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.
Prepare with realistic NBDHE (National Board Dental Hygiene Exam) practice tests from Exam Edge →(affiliate link)See our discount
Study guides and practice tests for the NBDHE licensing exam.
Browse Study Guides on Amazon →As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Shop essential tools and supplies to get started in your career.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
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 (dentist must be physically present)
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+ |
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
VerifiedTwo-year cycle (January 1 of odd year to December 31 of even year)
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.
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
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.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare Tennessee with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
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.
Dental Hygienist requirements in nearby states
Other professional licenses in Tennessee
See how Tennessee 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 →
Not sure dental hygienist is right for you? Find careers that match your situation →
How does Tennessee 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 Tennessee.
Dental Hygienist Schools in Tennessee
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Moving to Tennessee? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Dental Hygienist license to Tennessee →
Transfer your Dental Hygienist license from Tennessee to: Alabama → | Arkansas → | Georgia → | Kentucky → | Mississippi → | Missouri → | North Carolina → | Virginia →
Tennessee requires a Graduate of a dental hygiene program accredited by the ADA Commission on Dental Accreditation providing a minimum of two (2) academic years of dental hygiene curriculum, offered through an institution of higher education accredited by a US Dept of Education-recognized agency 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.