Dental Hygienist in Georgia

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

Median annual salary

$83,500

trending_down -11.4% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Georgia.

engineering

7,360

Jobs (GA)

monitoring Strong

+7.0%

10-yr job growth

payments

$515

Licensing fees

schedule

2-4 years (including education and licensure process)

Time to complete

route How to become a dental hygienist in Georgia

To become a licensed Dental Hygienist in Georgia, applicants must graduate with an Associate, Bachelor of Arts, or Bachelor of Science degree from a CODA-accredited dental hygiene program. They must successfully pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE), a regional clinical exam (such as CRDTS or ADEX), and a Georgia Jurisprudence Examination. Additionally, applicants must be at least 18 years old, hold a current Basic Life Support (BLS/CPR) certification, and undergo a background check and National Practitioner's Data Bank (NPDB) report. Georgia offers a provisional license by credentials for those licensed in other states who meet specific practice and good standing requirements.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $66,170

25th percentile $78,160

50th (median) $83,500

75th percentile $98,460

90th (experienced) $103,750

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

checklist Georgia requirements

Licensing body	Georgia Board of Dentistry
State license	Required
Education	Associate, Bachelor of Arts, or Bachelor of Science degree in Dental Hygiene from a CODA-accredited program
Exam	National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE), a regional clinical exam (e.g., CRDTS or ADEX), and a Georgia Jurisprudence Examination ($440)
Application fee	$75
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	22.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Minimum age of 18. Requires current Basic Life Support (BLS/CPR) certification at the Healthcare Provider level. A thorough background investigation and National Practitioner's Data Bank (NPDB) report are required. Renewal is by December 31 of odd-numbered years. One hour of continuing education must be on legal ethics and professionalism, and two hours on infection control (effective January 1, 2024).

Source: Georgia Board of Dentistry

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

psychology

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Frequently asked questions

What's required to work as a dental hygienist in Georgia? expand_more

To become a dental hygienist in Georgia, you need to complete the required education (Associate, Bachelor of Arts, or Bachelor of Science degree in Dental Hygiene from a CODA-accredited program), pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE), a regional clinical exam (e.g., CRDTS or ADEX), and a Georgia Jurisprudence Examination, and submit your application ($75 fee).

Is a dental hygienist license required in Georgia? expand_more

A state license is required in Georgia. Georgia Board of Dentistry handles dental hygienist licensing — the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE), a regional clinical exam (e.g., CRDTS or ADEX), and a Georgia Jurisprudence Examination is part of the process.

How much does a dental hygienist make in Georgia? expand_more

In Georgia, the median pay for dental hygienists comes to $83,500/year. This trails the $94,260 national median by 11%. The range spans from $66,170 at the entry level to $103,750 for top earners.

How much does it cost to become a dental hygienist in Georgia? expand_more

Between exam fee ($440) and application fee ($75), expect to invest around varies in total to get started.

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

Expect to spend 2-4 years (including education and licensure process) from start to finish in Georgia — covering coursework, supervised experience, and examination.

Does Georgia require continuing education for dental hygienists? expand_more

To keep your license active, Georgia mandates 22.0 CE hours every 2.0 years.