Dental Hygienist in Kansas

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

Median annual salary
$82,060
trending_down -12.9% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Kansas.

engineering
2,460

Jobs (KS)

monitoring Strong
+7.0%

10-yr job growth

payments
$250

Licensing fees

schedule
2-3 years (education) + 2-4 months (licensing)

Time to complete

route How to become a dental hygienist in Kansas

To become a licensed Dental Hygienist in Kansas, individuals must graduate from a CODA-accredited dental hygiene program and pass both the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) and a regional clinical exam. Additionally, applicants must pass the Kansas Jurisprudence Exam and hold a current Healthcare Provider level CPR certification with a practical skills component. The licensing body is the Kansas Dental Board, and renewal is required every two years with 30 hours of continuing education.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $64,900
25th percentile $77,750
50th (median) $82,060
75th percentile $93,130
90th (experienced) $97,000

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

checklist Kansas requirements

Licensing bodyKansas Dental Board
State license Required
EducationAssociate degree in Dental Hygiene from a CODA-accredited program
ExamNational Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) and a regional clinical exam (CRDTS, WREB, SRTA, CITA, ADEX) ($100)
Application fee$150
RenewalEvery 2.0 years
Continuing education30.0 hours per cycle
NotesRequires passing the Kansas Jurisprudence Exam (open-book, 50 questions, 75% passing score, up to $100 fee). CPR certification at the Healthcare Provider level with a practical skills component is required and can count for 4 hours of CE. Minimum age of 18. Background check required. Applicants graduating in or after 2023 must take and successfully complete all sections of a patient-based or manikin-based clinical licensure exam. Kansas offers three tiers of Extended Care Permits (ECP I, ECP II, ECP III) for expanded practice in community-based settings, each with specific practice hour requirements and target populations.

Source: Kansas 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_circleKansas license required — clearer credential signal to employers
  • check_circleStrong 10-year job growth (+7.0%)
psychology
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Frequently asked questions

What's required to work as a dental hygienist in Kansas? expand_more
Kansas 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) and a regional clinical exam (CRDTS, WREB, SRTA, CITA, ADEX), and submit your application ($150 fee).
Does Kansas require dental hygienist licensure? expand_more
You cannot practice as a dental hygienist in Kansas without a state license from Kansas Dental Board. The required exam is the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) and a regional clinical exam (CRDTS, WREB, SRTA, CITA, ADEX).
How much does a dental hygienist make in Kansas? expand_more
Kansas dental hygienists bring home a median salary of $82,060. That's 13% below the national median of $94,260. The range spans from $64,900 at the entry level to $97,000 for top earners.
How expensive is dental hygienist licensing in Kansas? expand_more
Plan on spending varies total — that covers exam fee ($100) and application fee ($150) plus your education and training.
How quickly can I become a dental hygienist in Kansas? expand_more
Most candidates in Kansas complete the process in 2-3 years (education) + 2-4 months (licensing), from enrollment in a training program through licensure.
What's required to renew a dental hygienist license in Kansas? expand_more
License renewal in Kansas requires completing 30.0 hours of continuing education on a 2.0-year cycle.

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