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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.
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
Graduate of or certificate from a CODA or CDAC accredited program of dental hygiene 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. Virginia accepts: Clinical competency exam as outlined in Board guidance document 60-26, Clinical competency exam per Board guidance document 60-26, original detailed scorecard required. No state-specific exam; Board approval required to take regional clinical exam for first-time applicants
Pass the Virginia dental jurisprudence exam. Virginia Dental Jurisprudence Examination.
Obtain current CPR/BLS certification, pass a criminal background check, 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).
Submit your application to the Virginia Board of Dentistry (Department of Health Professions).
Renew your license every Annual renewal; verified via FAQ that renewal is annual. 15 CE hours required.
CE Hours Required
15 hours
Per annual renewal; verified via faq that renewal is annual renewal cycle
Renewal Cycle
Annual renewal; verified via FAQ that renewal is annual
Required CE Topics
3 topic areas
CPR/BLS recertification (hands-on course for healthcare providers, required to maintain), Excess hours up to 15 may be transferred to next renewal year, Clinical and scientific topics
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, 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
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
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 |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
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See how quickly your license investment pays for itself.
Renewal & CE Requirements
VerifiedAnnual renewal; verified via FAQ that renewal is annual
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.
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
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.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare Virginia with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
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.
Dental Hygienist requirements in nearby states
| State | Total Cost | Timeline | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia (you) | — | 112–226 wks | |
| District of Columbia | — | 112–226 wks | → |
| Kentucky | $75-$125 | 112–226 wks | → |
| Maryland | $325 | 112–226 wks | → |
| North Carolina | — | 112–226 wks | → |
Other professional licenses in Virginia
See how Virginia 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 Virginia 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 Virginia.
Dental Hygienist Schools in Virginia
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Moving to Virginia? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Dental Hygienist license to Virginia →
Transfer your Dental Hygienist license from Virginia to: Kentucky → | Maryland → | North Carolina → | Tennessee → | West Virginia → | District of Columbia →
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.