Dental Hygienist in Kentucky
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for KY. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.
BLS OEWS 2024, Kentucky.
Jobs (KY)
10-yr job growth
Licensing fees
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
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 |
| Reciprocity | Kentucky offers licensure by credentials for experienced hygienists; the compact is not yet active.Reciprocal states: Kentucky offers licensure by credentials for applicants who have actively practiced in another U.S. jurisdiction for at least five of the six years preceding the application. Official verification of all other dental hygiene licenses held is required. The Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact has reached activation status, but compact privileges are not yet being issued. |
| 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
Already licensed elsewhere and moving to Kentucky? See whether Kentucky 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
balance Is it worth it?
- check_circleKentucky license required — clearer credential signal to employers
- check_circleStrong 10-year job growth (+7.0%)
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.