Dental Hygienist in Mississippi
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for MS. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.
BLS OEWS 2024, Mississippi.
Jobs (MS)
10-yr job growth
Licensing fees
Time to complete
route How to become a dental hygienist in Mississippi
To become a licensed Dental Hygienist in Mississippi, applicants must obtain an Associate degree in Dental Hygiene from a CODA-accredited program. They are required to pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE), a regional clinical exam (SRTA, CRDTS, CITA, ADEX), and the Mississippi Jurisprudence Exam. The licensing body is the Mississippi State Board of Dental Examiners, and the application fee is $400.00. Licenses are renewed every two years, with 20 continuing education hours required per cycle. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and hold a current CPR certification. Mississippi has also joined the Interstate Dental and Dental Hygiene Licensure Compact, which may offer a streamlined path to licensure for qualified professionals from other compact states.
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Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Mississippi. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.
checklist Mississippi requirements
| Licensing body | Mississippi State Board of Dental Examiners |
| 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 (SRTA, CRDTS, CITA, ADEX), and the Mississippi Jurisprudence Exam ($150) |
| Application fee | $400 |
| Renewal | Every 2.0 years |
| Continuing education | 20.0 hours per cycle |
| Reciprocity | Mississippi offers licensure by credentials for experienced hygienists from reciprocating states, requiring a jurisprudence exam.Reciprocal states: Mississippi will only consider applications for licensure by credentials from candidates who are currently licensed in states who also credential Mississippi dentists and/or dental hygienists. Must have practiced a minimum of five years and pass the Mississippi jurisprudence exam. Mississippi has joined the Interstate Dental and Dental Hygiene Licensure Compact. |
| Notes | Minimum age of 18 years old. Requires CPR certification. Renewal is by December 31st of even-numbered years, with a penalty phase starting November 1st. Mississippi has joined the Interstate Dental and Dental Hygiene Licensure Compact. |
Source: Mississippi State Board of Dental Examiners
Already licensed elsewhere and moving to Mississippi? See whether Mississippi 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_circleMississippi 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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