Dental Hygienist in Indiana

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

Median annual salary

$90,290

trending_down -4.2% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Indiana.

engineering

5,110

Jobs (IN)

monitoring Strong

+7.0%

10-yr job growth

payments

$515

Licensing fees

schedule

2 years

Time to complete

route How to become a dental hygienist in Indiana

To become a licensed Dental Hygienist in Indiana, applicants must graduate from a CODA-accredited dental hygiene program and pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE), a regional clinical exam (such as ADEX, CRDTS, or WREB), and the Indiana Jurisprudence Exam. A criminal background check and current CPR certification are also required. Indiana offers reciprocity for dental hygienists licensed in other states with equivalent requirements and satisfactory practice experience.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $63,200

25th percentile $80,550

50th (median) $90,290

75th percentile $96,330

90th (experienced) $101,470

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

checklist Indiana requirements

Licensing body	Indiana 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 regional clinical exam (ADEX, CRDTS, WREB, SRTA, CITA), and the Indiana Jurisprudence Exam ($415)
Application fee	$100
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	19.0 hours per cycle
Notes	CPR certification required. Two hours of CE must be in ethics, professional responsibility, and Indiana law. A criminal background check is required. There is no minimum age specified. Half of all CE hours must be live presentations or workshops. Foreign-trained dentists may be eligible for licensure as dental hygienists in Indiana by meeting specific requirements, including academic transcript review and passing required board examinations.

Source: Indiana 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_circleIndiana 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?

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Frequently asked questions

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

In Indiana, becoming a dental hygienist requires you 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, WREB, SRTA, CITA), and the Indiana Jurisprudence Exam, and submit your application ($100 fee).

Does Indiana require dental hygienist licensure? expand_more

Indiana mandates state licensure for dental hygienists. Indiana State Board of Dentistry oversees the process, which includes passing the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE), a regional clinical exam (ADEX, CRDTS, WREB, SRTA, CITA), and the Indiana Jurisprudence Exam.

How much does a dental hygienist make in Indiana? expand_more

Indiana dental hygienists bring home a median salary of $90,290. This is close to the national median of $94,260. Entry-level (10th percentile) starts at $63,200, while experienced professionals (90th percentile) earn $101,470.

What are the fees to become a dental hygienist in Indiana? expand_more

The full cost to enter the field runs about varies, factoring in exam fee ($415) and application fee ($100) and required training.

What's the timeline to become a dental hygienist in Indiana? expand_more

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

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

Indiana requires 19.0 hours of continuing education every 2.0 years to maintain your dental hygienist license.