Dental Hygienist License Requirements by State
Dental hygienists are licensed in all 51 states and the District of Columbia by their state dental board. Licensure requires graduating from a CODA-accredited program, passing the NBDHE written national board, and passing a regional or state clinical exam. The exact hours, fees and exams are set by each state's board - here is the state-by-state breakdown, sourced from official licensing authorities.
Last updated August 7, 2026. Licensing rules change - confirm with the official board before applying.
National exam basics
The NBDHE (JCNDE) is the national written exam; clinical exams are administered by regional testing agencies or the state board.
Dental Hygienist License requirements by state
FAQ
What education is required?
A CODA-accredited dental hygiene program is required in every state, typically an associate degree taking about two years, though some states accept a bachelor's degree.
Which exams are required?
All states require the NBDHE written national board plus a regional or state clinical exam, most commonly WREB, CRDTS, CITA, or ADEX.
How often must I renew?
Licenses renew every one to two years and require continuing education, typically 12 to 30 hours per cycle.
Can I move my license between states?
Many states offer endorsement for hygienists licensed in states with comparable requirements, though most still require a jurisprudence or state exam component.