Dental Hygienist License Reciprocity by State (2026)
12 of 51 states have a published reciprocity note in our dataset. For the remaining states, the note is not published — check both state boards before you move.
Provides preventive oral care and cleanings under dentist supervision. Requires the NBDHE and a state license. A reciprocity note means a license from a listed state is accepted, usually still with an application, fee and background check. When no note exists, verify directly.
| State | Reciprocity note | Verify with |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona | ADEX/CDCA/CRDTS/WREB/SRTA clinical exams accepted; AZ jurisprudence exam + Fingerprint Clearance Card required | Arizona State Board of Dental Examiners ↗ |
| California | ADEX/WREB/CRDTS clinical exams accepted; CA Law & Ethics exam plus local anesthesia, nitrous oxide, and soft tissue curettage courses required for initial licensure | Dental Hygiene Board of California ↗ |
| Florida | No endorsement pathway — ADEX clinical exam and FL Laws and Rules exam required of all applicants regardless of prior licensure | Florida Board of Dentistry ↗ |
| Georgia | CRDTS/SRTA/ADEX clinical exams accepted; GA jurisprudence exam required | Georgia Board of Dentistry ↗ |
| Illinois | ADEX/CDCA-WREB-CITA/CRDTS/SRTA clinical exams accepted; IL jurisprudence exam required | Illinois Division of Professional Regulation (IDFPR) ↗ |
| Michigan | ADEX only clinical exam accepted; MI jurisprudence exam required (passing 75%) | Michigan Board of Dentistry (LARA) ↗ |
| New York | ADEX/CDCA/CRDTS/NERB/WREB clinical exams accepted; separate local anesthesia certification required | New York State Education Department — Office of the Professions ↗ |
| North Carolina | Clinical exam required; licenses renew annually | North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners ↗ |
| Ohio | ADEX or CRDTS-SRTA clinical exams accepted; jurisprudence exam required | Ohio State Dental Board ↗ |
| Pennsylvania | NERB/SRTA/WREB/CRDTS/CITA clinical exams accepted | Pennsylvania State Board of Dentistry ↗ |
| Texas | ADEX/CRDTS clinical exams accepted; TX jurisprudence assessment required; separate Local Anesthesia Administration Permit for anesthesia | Texas State Board of Dental Examiners ↗ |
| Washington | WREB/CRDTS/CDCA/CITA clinical exams accepted; WA State Drug and Law jurisprudence exam required | Washington State Dental Quality Assurance Commission ↗ |
| Alabama | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Alaska | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Arkansas | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Colorado | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Connecticut | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Delaware | check both state boards | board site pending |
| District of Columbia | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Hawaii | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Idaho | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Indiana | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Iowa | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Kansas | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Kentucky | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Louisiana | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Maine | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Maryland | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Massachusetts | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Minnesota | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Mississippi | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Missouri | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Montana | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Nebraska | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Nevada | check both state boards | board site pending |
| New Hampshire | check both state boards | board site pending |
| New Jersey | check both state boards | board site pending |
| New Mexico | check both state boards | board site pending |
| North Dakota | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Oklahoma | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Oregon | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Rhode Island | check both state boards | board site pending |
| South Carolina | check both state boards | board site pending |
| South Dakota | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Tennessee | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Utah | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Vermont | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Virginia | check both state boards | board site pending |
| West Virginia | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Wisconsin | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Wyoming | check both state boards | board site pending |
Frequently asked questions
Can I transfer my Dental Hygienist license to another state?
In our dataset, 12 states have a published reciprocity note (see the table). For every other state the rule is not published here — check both state boards before moving.
What does reciprocity mean for a license?
Reciprocity lets an already-licensed professional from one state qualify for a license in another state without repeating the full education and exam process. Some states have formal agreements; others require a state-specific exam or extra coursework even when they accept your license.
Why do some states say "check both state boards"?
State reciprocity tables are not consistently published in machine-readable form. When a state has not published an official note in our verified sources, we point you to both boards rather than guess. That is the safest answer for a decision that can affect your eligibility to work.
Does holding a license in one state guarantee a license in another?
No. Every state sets its own licensing law. Even in states with reciprocity, you typically still file an application, pay a fee, pass a background check and sometimes pass a state-specific exam. Always confirm directly with the destination state board.
Plan your move with Dental Hygienist data
Reciprocity rules change frequently and are set by each state legislature and board. “Check both state boards” means the note is not published in our dataset — it is not a negative answer. Always verify with both boards before relocating (data retrieved 2026-08-20).