Licensing Information
RCW 18.29.011 - License required:
No person may practice as a dental hygienist in the state without having a license as such and, after the first year, an unexpired license renewal certificate.
Requirements for a dental hygiene license
Education:
Complete an American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) approved dental hygiene education program. Go here for detailed school accreditation dates and curriculum requirements.
Complete seven hours AIDS education and training. Go here for more information.
Examinations - Pass the following examinations:
- Dental Hygiene National Board exam.
- Washington State Drug and Law exam.
- Western Regional Examining Board (WREB) Hygiene Success Card or Central Regional Dental Testing Service (CRDTS) or North East Regional Board of Dental Examiners (NERB) passing examination scores. The NERB exam is only accepted for the time period of January 1, 2000 to August 21, 2009.
- WREB Anesthesia.
- WREB Restorative.
Go here for the complete rule.
Go here to obtain the license application and a complete list of all documentation required for a license.
If you do not meet the above qualifications, you may be eligible for an initial limited dental hygiene license.
Requirements for an initial limited dental hygiene license
Licensed in another state:
- You must hold a valid license in another state that allows a substantively equivalent scope of practice.
- You must have at least 560 hours of practice within the past 2 years.
Education:
Complete an American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) approved dental hygiene education program.
Complete seven hours AIDS education and training. Go here to review WAC 246-12 part 8.
Examinations - Pass the following examinations:
- Dental Hygiene National Board exam.
- Washington State Drug and Law exam.
Go here for detailed initial limited license information.
Go here to obtain the license application and a complete list of all documentation required for licensure.
Note: The initial limited license has a limited scope of practice, go here to review what hygiene procedures are allowed and not allowed.
Address Change
It is your responsibility to maintain a current address with us. Requests for an address change can be made by phone or in writing. The mailing address on file will be used for all correspondence to you.
Renewal Information
Prior to your expiration date a courtesy renewal notice is mailed to the address on file. Failure to receive a courtesy renewal notice does not change the renewal requirement. Any renewal fees post marked or presented to the department after midnight on the expiration date is late. There is no grace period.
Fifteen (15) clock hours of continuing education (CE) is required with your renewal payment. A current CPR card must also be maintained. CE must be dental related for professional development as a dental hygienist. Hours shall be obtained through CE courses, correspondence courses, college credit courses, dental hygiene examination standardization/calibration workshops and dental hygiene examination item writer workshops. Go here for the complete CE rule.
Dental Hygiene License Renewal
Your dental hygiene license will expire each year on your birthday. Renewal fee and continuing education attestation is required to renew. Go here for current renewal fees.
Initial Limited Dental Hygiene License Renewal
Your initial limited license will expire 18 months from the issue date. The following is required to renew:
- Passing scores on an approved dental hygiene patient evaluation/prophylaxis exam. Click here to see the list of qualifying examinations.
- Western Regional Examining Board (WREB) Anesthesia Success Card with passing scores.
- Verification of didactic and clinical competency in the administration of nitrous oxide and anesthesia.
- Renewal fee.
The expiration date will change to your birthday after your initial renewal. The current renewal fee and 15 hours of continuing education will be required annually.
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