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How to become a licensed dental hygienist in Virginia. Degree required: Graduate of or certificate from a CODA or CDAC accredited program of dental hygiene. NBDHE: required. Local anesthesia permitted. Total initial fees: varies. 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.
65% of data points are verified against official sources. 8 fields based on preliminary research. 9 fields need verification. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
Graduate of or certificate from a CODA or CDAC accredited program of dental hygiene
Degree Required
Required
NBDHE
Required
Clinical Exam
Varies
Total Initial Fees
15 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; Board approval required to take regional clinical exam for first-time applicants
Jurisprudence Exam
Mostly verifiedExam Name
Virginia Dental Jurisprudence Examination
Official Title
Licensed Dental Hygienist
Requirements
CODA/CDAC-accredited program, NBDHE all parts, clinical competency exam, CPR certification
Supervision
Indirect supervision (dentist present in office)
Additional Requirements
Official Title
Dental Hygienist with Anesthesia/Nitrous Oxide Certification
Requirements
Standard license plus completion of CODA-accredited program in local anesthesia and/or nitrous oxide with minimum 75% exam score
Supervision
Indirect supervision for anesthesia/nitrous oxide administration
Additional Requirements
Permitted Procedures
VerifiedAllowed
Local Anesthesia
Allowed
Nitrous Oxide
Not Allowed
Restorative Duties
Not Allowed
Laser Use
Notes
Local anesthesia (Schedule VI) may be administered parenterally to persons 18+ under indirect supervision with CODA-accredited course completion and 75% exam score. Nitrous oxide/inhalation analgesia (Schedule VI) may be administered under indirect supervision with CODA-accredited course and 75% exam score. Indirect supervision requires dentist to be continuously present in the office.
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
Virginia uses 'indirect supervision' as its primary supervision level, meaning the dentist examines the patient at some point during the appointment and is continuously present in the office. Virginia is NOT a direct access state. Local anesthesia and nitrous oxide require indirect supervision (dentist in office). Local anesthesia is restricted to patients 18 years and older.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Total Initial Fees Contact Board for current fee schedule | Varies |
Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified1 year (annual, in licensee's birth month)
Renewal Period
15 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.
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedAccepts Out-of-State Credentials
Reciprocity Type
Licensure by Credentials
Transfer Details
Applicants must hold a current license in another jurisdiction, have passed all parts of NBDHE, passed an acceptable clinical competency exam, and have clinical, ethical, and active practice for 24 of the past 48 months.
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
CPR/BLS certification (hands-on course for healthcare providers)
Local anesthesia certification (CODA-accredited, 75% exam score, optional)
Nitrous oxide certification (CODA-accredited, 75% exam score, optional)
Virginia is distinctive in using 'indirect supervision' as its primary supervision level (dentist continuously present in office, must examine patient during appointment). The state has annual license renewal in the licensee's birth month rather than biennial renewal, with 15 CE hours required each year. Local anesthesia is restricted to patients 18 years and older. Virginia also accepts Canadian CDAC accreditation alongside CODA. First-time applicants must obtain Board approval before sitting for the clinical exam. Licensure by credentials requires notarized employer statements.
Virginia uses 'indirect supervision' as the standard, meaning the dentist must be continuously present in the office and examine the patient at some point during the appointment.
Virginia is NOT a direct access state.
Local anesthesia is restricted to patients 18 years and older.
Annual renewal (in birth month) rather than the more common biennial renewal.
15 CE hours per year is the requirement (not biennial).
Excess CE hours (up to 15) may be carried to the next renewal year.
Virginia accepts CDAC (Canadian) accreditation in addition to CODA.
First-time clinical exam applicants need Board approval before taking the exam.
Licensure by credentials requires notarized employer statements documenting 24 of 48 months active practice.
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 Virginia.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#14 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Dental Hygienists (SOC 29-1292)
Entry Level
$90,160
25th percentile
Median
$98,880
+5% vs. national avg ($94,260)Experienced
$108,270
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
3,580 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+289% salary growth potential
You are here
Dental Hygienist
$98,880
Associate/bachelor's in dental hygiene + NBDHE
Dental assisting program (9-12 months)
$46,910
You are here
Dental Hygienist
Associate/bachelor's in dental hygiene + NBDHE
$98,880
DDS/DMD degree (4 years) + INBDE
$182,570
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
Estimated total: 112–226 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: Virginia Board of Dentistry (Department of Health Professions) — Licensing Requirements
4–8 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: Virginia Board of Dentistry (Department of Health Professions) — Licensing Requirements
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Virginia requires a Graduate of or certificate from a CODA or CDAC accredited program of dental hygiene from a CODA-accredited program. The NBDHE is required. Dental hygienists may administer local anesthesia. All licensing is managed through the Virginia Board of Dentistry (Department of Health Professions).
Requirements vary by state. Always verify current requirements with your state dental board.