Dental Hygienist in Montana

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

Median annual salary

$94,740

trending_up +0.5% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Montana.

engineering

950

Jobs (MT)

monitoring Strong

+7.0%

10-yr job growth

payments

$870

Licensing fees

schedule

2-4 years

Time to complete

route How to become a dental hygienist in Montana

To become a licensed Dental Hygienist in Montana, applicants must graduate from a CODA-accredited dental hygiene program and pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE), a regional clinical exam (ADEX or CRDTS), and the Montana Jurisprudence Exam. The Montana Board of Dentistry requires a combined application and jurisprudence exam fee of $185, and the total exam cost is approximately $685. Licenses are renewed every three years, requiring 36 hours of continuing education per cycle. Applicants must also be at least 18 years old, pass a background check, and hold a current CPR, ACLS, or PALS certification.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $80,440

25th percentile $82,850

50th (median) $94,740

75th percentile $98,080

90th (experienced) $101,410

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

checklist Montana requirements

Licensing body	Montana Board of Dentistry
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 (WREB, CRDTS, ADEX), and the Montana Jurisprudence Exam ($685)
Application fee	$185
Renewal	Every 3.0 years
Continuing education	36.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Applicants must be at least 18 years old and undergo a fingerprint background check. CPR, ACLS, or PALS certification is required, and internet courses are accepted if a hands-on evaluation of clinical competency is included. Clinical exams are valid for five years from the date of passage. The Montana Jurisprudence Exam is open-book and taken online after application submission.

Source: Montana 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_circleMontana 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 Montana? expand_more

Montana 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), a regional clinical exam (WREB, CRDTS, ADEX), and the Montana Jurisprudence Exam, and submit your application ($185 fee).

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

Montana mandates state licensure for dental hygienists. Montana Board of Dentistry oversees the process, which includes passing the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE), a regional clinical exam (WREB, CRDTS, ADEX), and the Montana Jurisprudence Exam.

How much do dental hygienists make in Montana? expand_more

dental hygienists in Montana earn a median of $94,740 annually. This is close to the national median of $94,260. Wages range from $80,440 (10th percentile) up to $101,410 (90th percentile).

What's the total cost to get dental hygienist certified in Montana? expand_more

Costs include exam fee ($685) and application fee ($185). The estimated total investment is varies, including education and training.

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

Expect to spend 2-4 years from start to finish in Montana — covering coursework, supervised experience, and examination.

What are the continuing education requirements for dental hygienists in Montana? expand_more

To keep your license active, Montana mandates 36.0 CE hours every 3.0 years.

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