Dental Hygienist in Iowa

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

Median annual salary

$82,770

trending_down -12.2% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Iowa.

engineering

2,020

Jobs (IA)

monitoring Strong

+7.0%

10-yr job growth

payments

$100

Licensing fees

schedule

2-3 years for education, 3-6 months for licensure process

Time to complete

route How to become a dental hygienist in Iowa

To become a licensed Dental Hygienist in Iowa, you must graduate from a CODA-accredited dental hygiene program, which typically takes 2-3 years. Subsequently, applicants must pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE), a regional clinical exam (such as CRDTS, WREB, SRTA, CITA, ADEX, or CDCA), and the Iowa Jurisprudence Exam. The Iowa Dental Board requires a $100 application fee and a $46 fee for a fingerprint packet and criminal history background check. Additionally, mandatory training for identifying and reporting abuse and current CPR certification with a clinical component are required. Iowa has also adopted the Dentists and Dental Hygienists Licensure Compact, which aims to streamline licensure across member states once it becomes active.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $78,270

25th percentile $79,710

50th (median) $82,770

75th percentile $92,270

90th (experienced) $94,140

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

checklist Iowa requirements

Licensing body	Iowa Dental Board
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 (CRDTS, WREB, SRTA, CITA, ADEX), and the Iowa Jurisprudence Exam
Application fee	$100
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	30.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Requires mandatory training for identifying and reporting child and dependent adult abuse every three years. CPR certification is required and must include a clinical component; online-only CPR is not acceptable. A separate application and fee are required for a local anesthesia permit. Applicants who have been licensed in another state for more than one year, or have completed an examination not approved by the Board, must apply on the basis of credentials. A fingerprint packet and criminal history background check fee of $46 is also required.

Source: Iowa Dental Board

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_circleIowa 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's required to work as a dental hygienist in Iowa? expand_more

The path to dental hygienist licensure in Iowa: 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 (CRDTS, WREB, SRTA, CITA, ADEX), and the Iowa Jurisprudence Exam, and submit your application ($100 fee).

Do I need a license to work as a dental hygienist in Iowa? expand_more

Yes, Iowa requires a state license to practice as a dental hygienist. The licensing body is Iowa Dental Board. You must pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE), a regional clinical exam (CRDTS, WREB, SRTA, CITA, ADEX), and the Iowa Jurisprudence Exam.

What do dental hygienists earn in Iowa? expand_more

The median dental hygienist salary in Iowa is $82,770 per year. That's 12% below the national median of $94,260. The range spans from $78,270 at the entry level to $94,140 for top earners.

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

Most candidates in Iowa complete the process in 2-3 years for education, 3-6 months for licensure process, from enrollment in a training program through licensure.

Does Iowa require continuing education for dental hygienists? expand_more

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