Dental Hygienist in Kentucky

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

Median annual salary

$77,440

trending_down -17.8% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Kentucky.

engineering

2,140

Jobs (KY)

monitoring Strong

+7.0%

10-yr job growth

payments

$125

Licensing fees

schedule

2-4 years

Time to complete

route How to become a dental hygienist in Kentucky

To become a licensed Dental Hygienist in Kentucky, applicants must graduate from a CODA-accredited dental hygiene program with an Associate or Bachelor's degree. They must successfully complete the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE), a regional clinical exam (such as SRTA, CRDTS, CITA, ADEX, or WREB), and the Kentucky Jurisprudence Exam. Additionally, applicants must hold current CPR certification, pass a criminal background check, and pay an application fee of $125 (or $75 if applying in an even-numbered year).

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $60,120

25th percentile $66,020

50th (median) $77,440

75th percentile $83,020

90th (experienced) $95,680

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

checklist Kentucky requirements

Licensing body	Kentucky Board of Dentistry
State license	Required
Education	Associate or Bachelor's degree in Dental Hygiene from a CODA-accredited program
Exam	National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE), a regional clinical exam (SRTA, CRDTS, CITA, ADEX, WREB), and the Kentucky Jurisprudence Exam
Application fee	$125
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	30.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Applicants must be at least 18 years of age. CPR certification (Healthcare Provider level BLS/CPR, AED with practical skills component) is required and does not count towards CE hours. A nationwide criminal background check via fingerprinting is required. Renewal is by December 31 of even-numbered years. Applicants who graduated more than two years prior to application must either hold a license in another U.S. jurisdiction or complete a Board-approved refresher program. A $25 National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) fee is required if you have previously held a hygiene license in any jurisdiction. At least 10 of the 30 CE hours must be taken in a live interactive format. 2 hours of HIV/AIDS education are required every 10 years.

Source: Kentucky 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_circleKentucky 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

Frequently asked questions

How do I become a dental hygienist in Kentucky? expand_more

To become a dental hygienist in Kentucky, you need to complete the required education (Associate or Bachelor's degree in Dental Hygiene from a CODA-accredited program), pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE), a regional clinical exam (SRTA, CRDTS, CITA, ADEX, WREB), and the Kentucky Jurisprudence Exam, and submit your application ($125 fee).

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

You cannot practice as a dental hygienist in Kentucky without a state license from Kentucky Board of Dentistry. The required exam is the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE), a regional clinical exam (SRTA, CRDTS, CITA, ADEX, WREB), and the Kentucky Jurisprudence Exam.

How much do dental hygienists make in Kentucky? expand_more

Kentucky dental hygienists bring home a median salary of $77,440. This trails the $94,260 national median by 18%. Entry-level (10th percentile) starts at $60,120, while experienced professionals (90th percentile) earn $95,680.

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

In Kentucky, becoming a dental hygienist generally takes 2-4 years, accounting for education requirements, hands-on training, and the exam process.

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

Yes — dental hygienists in Kentucky must complete 30.0 CE hours every 2.0 years to stay licensed.