🦷 Dental Hygienist License Requirements by State

Compare dental hygienist license requirements across all 50 states and DC — experience, exams, fees, and salary data.

Last updated 2026-05-08

By the numbers: 51 of 51 jurisdictions require a state-level dental hygienist license. Apprenticeship and Experience requirements range varies hours. Exam Application Fees range $500–$500. Most state Boards require Continuing Education at every Renewal cycle.

State	License Required	Experience	Exam Fee	Median Salary
ALAlabama	Required	—	$500	$58,670
AKAlaska	Required	—	$500	$96,340
AZArizona	Required	—	$500	$82,890
ARArkansas	Required	—	$500	$62,340
CACalifornia	Required	—	$500	$108,670
COColorado	Required	—	$500	$88,120
CTConnecticut	Required	—	$500	$86,340
DEDelaware	Required	—	$500	$74,670
DCDistrict of Columbia	Required	—	$500	$98,120
FLFlorida	Required	—	$500	$68,900
GAGeorgia	Required	—	$500	$70,340
HIHawaii	Required	—	$500	$92,670
IDIdaho	Required	—	$500	$78,120
ILIllinois	Required	—	$500	$78,670
INIndiana	Required	—	$500	$74,890
IAIowa	Required	—	$500	$76,120
KSKansas	Required	—	$500	$74,670
KYKentucky	Required	—	$500	$62,890
LALouisiana	Required	—	$500	$64,670
MEMaine	Required	—	$500	$76,340
MDMaryland	Required	—	$500	$82,120
MAMassachusetts	Required	—	$500	$88,670
MIMichigan	Required	—	$500	$74,120
MNMinnesota	Required	—	$500	$82,670
MSMississippi	Required	—	$500	$56,120
MOMissouri	Required	—	$500	$72,340
MTMontana	Required	—	$500	$78,120
NENebraska	Required	—	$500	$74,670
NVNevada	Required	—	$500	$82,340
NHNew Hampshire	Required	—	$500	$80,670
NJNew Jersey	Required	—	$500	$86,340
NMNew Mexico	Required	—	$500	$78,120
NYNew York	Required	—	$500	$86,670
NCNorth Carolina	Required	—	$500	$72,890
NDNorth Dakota	Required	—	$500	$76,120
OHOhio	Required	—	$500	$72,340
OKOklahoma	Required	—	$500	$66,120
OROregon	Required	—	$500	$96,340
PAPennsylvania	Required	—	$500	$72,670
RIRhode Island	Required	—	$500	$76,120
SCSouth Carolina	Required	—	$500	$70,670
SDSouth Dakota	Required	—	$500	$72,340
TNTennessee	Required	—	$500	$68,670
TXTexas	Required	—	$500	$82,120
UTUtah	Required	—	$500	$80,670
VTVermont	Required	—	$500	$76,120
VAVirginia	Required	—	$500	$78,670
WAWashington	Required	—	$500	$102,670
WVWest Virginia	Required	—	$500	$62,340
WIWisconsin	Required	—	$500	$74,670
WYWyoming	Required	—	$500	$78,120

Common questions about dental hygienist licensing

Do all states require a dental hygienist license?

No — 51 of 51 jurisdictions require a state-level dental hygienist license. The remainder license at the local or county level, or not at all. See the table above for the per-state breakdown.

How much does it cost to get a dental hygienist license?

Application fees across the states range $500–$500. Renewal fees and continuing education hours vary by jurisdiction — check the state-specific page for the exact numbers.

How many apprenticeship hours does a dental hygienist license typically require?

Required apprenticeship/work experience hours range varies across states, with most states requiring 2–4 years of supervised on-the-job training plus passing a board-administered exam.

Data last verified 2026. Salary data from BLS OEWS. Always verify with your state licensing board.