Dental Hygienist in Colorado

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for CO. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.

Median annual salary

$106,730

trending_up +13.2% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Colorado.

engineering

4,470

Jobs (CO)

monitoring Strong

+7.0%

10-yr job growth

payments

$135

Licensing fees

schedule

2-4 years

Time to complete

route How to become a dental hygienist in Colorado

To become a licensed Dental Hygienist in Colorado, applicants must graduate from a CODA-accredited dental hygiene program, pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE), a regional clinical exam (such as ADEX, CRDTS, SRTA, or WREB), and the Colorado Jurisprudence Exam. The licensing body is the Colorado Dental Board. Additionally, applicants must maintain current Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers certification with a hands-on component and attest to holding professional liability insurance. Colorado is also part of the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact, which aims to streamline licensure across participating states once active.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $78,070

25th percentile $100,130

50th (median) $106,730

75th percentile $114,290

90th (experienced) $126,000

Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Colorado. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.

checklist Colorado requirements

Licensing body	Colorado Dental Board
State license	Required
Education	Associate degree in Dental Hygiene from a CODA-accredited program
Exam	National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE), a regional clinical exam (ADEX, CRDTS, SRTA, WREB), and the Colorado Jurisprudence Exam
Application fee	$135
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	30.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Requires passing the Colorado Jurisprudence Exam. Must maintain current Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers certification with a mandatory hands-on component. Online-only BLS courses are not accepted. Initial BLS training is a minimum of 3 hours, and renewal is a minimum of 2 hours. Licensees must attest to holding professional liability insurance. A background check is likely required as part of the application process.

Source: Colorado Dental Board

work_outline Job outlook

10-year growth

+7.0%

Faster than average

Annual openings

15,300

Nationwide per year

Total employment

221,600

Nationwide

balance Is it worth it?

check_circleColorado license required — clearer credential signal to employers
check_circleStrong 10-year job growth (+7.0%)

psychology

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Frequently asked questions

What are the steps to becoming a dental hygienist in Colorado? expand_more

To become a dental hygienist in Colorado, you need to complete the required education (Associate degree in Dental Hygiene from a CODA-accredited program), pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE), a regional clinical exam (ADEX, CRDTS, SRTA, WREB), and the Colorado Jurisprudence Exam, and submit your application ($135 fee).

Do I need a license to work as a dental hygienist in Colorado? expand_more

Yes, Colorado requires a state license to practice as a dental hygienist. The licensing body is Colorado Dental Board. You must pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE), a regional clinical exam (ADEX, CRDTS, SRTA, WREB), and the Colorado Jurisprudence Exam.

What do dental hygienists earn in Colorado? expand_more

Colorado dental hygienists bring home a median salary of $106,730. This exceeds the $94,260 national median by 13%. The range spans from $78,070 at the entry level to $126,000 for top earners.

How many months or years does dental hygienist certification take in Colorado? expand_more

In Colorado, becoming a dental hygienist generally takes 2-4 years, accounting for education requirements, hands-on training, and the exam process.

How many CE hours do dental hygienists need in Colorado? expand_more

Yes — dental hygienists in Colorado must complete 30.0 CE hours every 2.0 years to stay licensed.