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 bodyIndiana State Board of Dentistry
State license Required
EducationAssociate degree in Dental Hygiene from a CODA-accredited program
ExamNational Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE), a regional clinical exam (ADEX, CRDTS, WREB, SRTA, CITA), and the Indiana Jurisprudence Exam ($415)
Application fee$100
RenewalEvery 2.0 years
Continuing education19.0 hours per cycle
ReciprocityIndiana offers licensure by reciprocity for those with equivalent licenses, practice, and jurisprudence exam.Reciprocal states: Indiana may issue a license by reciprocity to applicants who are currently licensed in another state with substantially equal licensing requirements, have been in satisfactory practice for at least two of the preceding five years, pass the Indiana jurisprudence exam, and have completed 19 hours of continuing education in the previous two years.
NotesCPR 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

Already licensed elsewhere and moving to Indiana? See whether Indiana 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

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

Compare Dental Hygienist head-to-head

See all comparisons →

Considering a Dental Hygienist vs another career? Side-by-side breakdowns of pay, training time, and licensing.

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.

Explore more