Dental Hygienist in Illinois
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for IL. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.
BLS OEWS 2024, Illinois.
Jobs (IL)
10-yr job growth
Licensing fees
Time to complete
route How to become a dental hygienist in Illinois
To become a licensed Dental Hygienist in Illinois, applicants must complete a two-year dental hygiene program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) and pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) and a regional clinical exam (ADEX, CRDTS, WREB, SRTA, CITA). The licensing body is the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). Applicants must be at least 18 years old, possess current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification, and undergo a background check. Illinois also offers licensure by endorsement for those already licensed and practicing in other states with equivalent requirements.
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Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Illinois. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.
checklist Illinois requirements
| Licensing body | Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation |
| State license | Required |
| Education | Associate degree in Dental Hygiene from a CODA-accredited program |
| Exam | National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) and a regional clinical exam (ADEX, CRDTS, WREB, SRTA, CITA) |
| Application fee | $100 |
| Renewal | Every 3.0 years |
| Continuing education | 36.0 hours per cycle |
| Reciprocity | Illinois offers licensure by endorsement for hygienists with practice history and equivalent prior licensure.Reciprocal states: Illinois offers licensure by endorsement for dental hygienists licensed in other states who have practiced for at least 3 of the last 5 years and whose previous jurisdiction's requirements are at least equal to Illinois'. The fee for application for a dental hygienist licensed under the laws of another jurisdiction is $300. |
| Notes | Minimum age 18. Requires Basic Life Support (BLS) certification. Specific CE requirements for sexual harassment prevention (1 hour per cycle), implicit bias awareness (1 hour per cycle, starting January 1, 2023), and cultural competency (1 hour per cycle, starting with 2026 renewals). A clean background check is mandatory. Malpractice insurance is a requirement. |
Source: Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
Already licensed elsewhere and moving to Illinois? See whether Illinois recognizes an out-of-state credential — with the tier and pathway for all 50 states — in our Dental Hygienist license reciprocity guide.
work_outline Job outlook
balance Is it worth it?
- check_circleIllinois license required — clearer credential signal to employers
- check_circleStrong 10-year job growth (+7.0%)
Compare Dental Hygienist head-to-head
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