Dental Hygienist in Michigan
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for MI. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.
BLS OEWS 2024, Michigan.
Jobs (MI)
10-yr job growth
Licensing fees
Time to complete
route How to become a dental hygienist in Michigan
To become a licensed Dental Hygienist in Michigan, applicants must graduate from a CODA-accredited dental hygiene program and pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE), a regional clinical exam (ADEX, CRDTS, WREB, SRTA, CITA), and the Michigan jurisprudence exam. Additionally, applicants must complete training in identifying victims of human trafficking and implicit bias, and hold current BLS or ACLS certification. The application fee is $98.80, and licenses are renewed every three years with continuing education requirements.
bar_chart Salary percentiles
Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Michigan. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.
checklist Michigan requirements
| Licensing body | Michigan Board of Dentistry |
| State license | Required |
| Education | Associate degree in Dental Hygiene from a CODA-accredited program |
| Exam | National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) and a regional clinical exam (ADEX, CRDTS, WREB, SRTA, CITA) |
| Application fee | $99 |
| Renewal | Every 3.0 years |
| Continuing education | 36.0 hours per cycle |
| Reciprocity | Michigan offers licensure by endorsement for out-of-state hygienists, with varying requirements based on experience.Reciprocal states: Michigan is considering joining the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact, which would streamline the process for out-of-state licensees. Currently, applicants licensed in another state for at least one year and in good standing may apply for licensure by endorsement. Those licensed in another state for at least 3 years that did not require a regional or state exam may petition the board for a determination of substantial equivalency. Those licensed in another state for less than 3 years must provide official transcripts and passing scores for the NBDHE and ADEX exam. |
| Notes | Requires passing the Michigan jurisprudence exam. Requires training in identifying victims of human trafficking (one-time). Requires implicit bias training (2 hours for initial licensure, 1 hour per year for renewal). Requires current Basic Life Support (BLS) or Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification with a hands-on component. A criminal background check is required. Minimum age is not specified. |
Source: Michigan Board of Dentistry
Already licensed elsewhere and moving to Michigan? See whether Michigan 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_circleMichigan license required — clearer credential signal to employers
- check_circleStrong 10-year job growth (+7.0%)
Compare Dental Hygienist head-to-head
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