Dental Hygienist in Idaho

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

Median annual salary

$84,990

trending_down -9.8% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Idaho.

engineering

1,800

Jobs (ID)

monitoring Strong

+7.0%

10-yr job growth

payments

$250

Licensing fees

schedule

2-4 years

Time to complete

route How to become a dental hygienist in Idaho

To become a licensed Dental Hygienist in Idaho, candidates must graduate from a CODA-accredited dental hygiene program, pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE), a Board-approved clinical exam, and a clinical local anesthesia examination. Additionally, applicants need to pass the Idaho Jurisprudence Exam, hold current BLS certification, and undergo a criminal background check. The licensing body is the Idaho State Board of Dentistry.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $81,310

25th percentile $82,870

50th (median) $84,990

75th percentile $93,770

90th (experienced) $98,910

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

checklist Idaho requirements

Licensing body	Idaho State Board of Dentistry
State license	Required
Education	Associate degree in Dental Hygiene from a CODA-accredited program
Exam	National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE), a Board-approved clinical exam (WREB, CDCA-WREB-ADEX, or CRDTS), and a clinical local anesthesia examination
Application fee	$250
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	30.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Requires passing the Idaho Jurisprudence Exam. Current BLS (Basic Life Support) certification is required. A criminal background check through Sterling is required for licensure by credentials. For licensure by credentials, applicants must have been licensed for at least one year and practiced a minimum of 1,000 hours in the two years immediately preceding the application date. As of April 1, 2022, the board accepts manikin-based clinical hygiene examinations; prior to this date, patient-based exams were required. Applicants who meet all other requirements for licensure by credentials but have not completed the local anesthesia exam may be provisionally licensed for up to one year to complete it.

Source: Idaho State 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_circleIdaho license required — clearer credential signal to employers
check_circleStrong 10-year job growth (+7.0%)

psychology

Wondering if a dental hygienist career is the right fit?

See what the day actually looks like, who the role suits, and who should skip it — grounded in real practitioner sources.

arrow_forward

Frequently asked questions

How do you get certified as a dental hygienist in Idaho? expand_more

Idaho requires dental hygienists to complete the required education (Associate degree in Dental Hygiene from a CODA-accredited program), pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE), a Board-approved clinical exam (WREB, CDCA-WREB-ADEX, or CRDTS), and a clinical local anesthesia examination, and submit your application ($250 fee).

Is a dental hygienist license required in Idaho? expand_more

Yes, Idaho requires a state license to practice as a dental hygienist. The licensing body is Idaho State Board of Dentistry. You must pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE), a Board-approved clinical exam (WREB, CDCA-WREB-ADEX, or CRDTS), and a clinical local anesthesia examination.

What is the average dental hygienist salary in Idaho? expand_more

Idaho dental hygienists bring home a median salary of $84,990. — 10% under the $94,260 national average. The range spans from $81,310 at the entry level to $98,910 for top earners.

How long does it take to become a dental hygienist in Idaho? expand_more

Expect to spend 2-4 years from start to finish in Idaho — covering coursework, supervised experience, and examination.

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

To keep your license active, Idaho mandates 30.0 CE hours every 2.0 years.