Pennsylvania Dental Hygienist Licensure Requirements
Becoming a licensed dental hygienist in Pennsylvania requires completing an accredited dental hygiene program, passing national and clinical examinations, and meeting the Pennsylvania State Board of Dentistry’s licensing requirements.
Licensure Snapshot
- Degree Required: Associate’s Degree
- Examinations Required: 2
- Experience Required: None
- Initial Continuing Education: 3 Hours
- Initial Licensing Fee: $154
- License Renewal Fee: $59 (Biennial)
Education Requirements
Applicants must graduate from a dental hygiene program accredited (or provisionally accredited) by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) or another regional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Examination Requirements
To become licensed, candidates must successfully complete:
- National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) (Written Examination)
- One approved Clinical Dental Hygiene Examination, administered by an approved testing agency, including:
- American Board of Dental Examiners (ADEX)
- Commission for Dental Competency Assessments (CDCA)
- Central Regional Dental Testing Service (CRDTS)
- Council of Interstate Testing Agencies (CITA)
- Southern Regional Testing Agency (SRTA)
- Western Regional Examining Board (WREB)
Experience Requirements
No additional work experience is required for licensure. Clinical training and experience are completed as part of an accredited dental hygiene education program.
Continuing Education Requirements
Initial Licensure
Applicants must complete 3 hours of Board-approved continuing education in Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting before receiving an initial license.
License Renewal
Dental hygienists must complete 20 hours of continuing education every two years to renew their license.
The required 20 hours must include:
- 2 hours of Board-approved Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting training
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Initial License | $154 |
| Biennial License Renewal | $59 |
Fees are subject to change by the Pennsylvania State Board of Dentistry.
Licensure by Credentials
Pennsylvania offers licensure by credentials for dental hygienists who are currently licensed in another U.S. state, territory, or Canada.
Applicants may qualify if:
- Their current license is active and in good standing.
- Their licensing requirements are substantially equivalent to Pennsylvania’s.
- The licensing jurisdiction reciprocates with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Licensure Under Act 41
Pennsylvania’s Act 41 allows qualified professionals licensed in another state or jurisdiction to obtain a Pennsylvania license more easily.
Applicants may be eligible if they:
- Hold an active license in good standing.
- Have no disciplinary actions or disqualifying criminal convictions.
- Have practiced their profession for at least two of the past five years.
- Meet Pennsylvania’s substantially equivalent licensing requirements.
To view all requirements and fees, please take a look here: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dos/department-and-offices/bpoa/boards-commissions/dentistry/dental-hygienist-licensure-snapshot