Dental Hygienist in Oklahoma

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

Median annual salary

$95,860

trending_up +1.7% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Oklahoma.

engineering

2,750

Jobs (OK)

monitoring Strong

+7.0%

10-yr job growth

payments

$100

Licensing fees

schedule

2-4 years

Time to complete

route How to become a dental hygienist in Oklahoma

To become a licensed Dental Hygienist in Oklahoma, applicants must obtain an Associate degree in Dental Hygiene from a CODA-accredited program, pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE), a regional clinical exam, and the Oklahoma Jurisprudence Exam. The licensing body is the Oklahoma Board of Dentistry. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and complete a background check. Oklahoma offers licensure by credentialing for dental hygienists licensed in other states who meet specific practice and examination requirements.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $81,140

25th percentile $94,530

50th (median) $95,860

75th percentile $98,770

90th (experienced) $101,490

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

checklist Oklahoma requirements

Licensing body	Oklahoma 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, SRTA, ADEX), and the Oklahoma Jurisprudence Exam
Application fee	$100
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	20.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Minimum age for licensure is 18 years old. CPR certification (live, in-person, Board-approved) and an ethics class (Board-approved) are required for renewal. A background check through the National Practitioner Databank is required. Renewal is by December 31st of even-numbered years. New graduates are exempt from CE for the first year after graduation. Clinical exams are recognized for a period of five years. Applicants for licensure by credentialing must have been in active practice for at least two years immediately prior to application and pass the Oklahoma Jurisprudence Exam.

Source: Oklahoma 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_circleOklahoma 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?

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Frequently asked questions

How do you get certified as a dental hygienist in Oklahoma? expand_more

Oklahoma 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, SRTA, ADEX), and the Oklahoma Jurisprudence Exam, and submit your application ($100 fee).

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

Yes, Oklahoma requires a state license to practice as a dental hygienist. The licensing body is Oklahoma Board of Dentistry. You must pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE), a regional clinical exam (WREB, CRDTS, SRTA, ADEX), and the Oklahoma Jurisprudence Exam.

How much do dental hygienists make in Oklahoma? expand_more

In Oklahoma, the median pay for dental hygienists comes to $95,860/year. — within a few percent of the $94,260 national figure. Wages range from $81,140 (10th percentile) up to $101,490 (90th percentile).

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

The typical timeline in Oklahoma is 2-4 years. This includes completing education, gaining any required experience, and passing the licensing exam.

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

License renewal in Oklahoma requires completing 20.0 hours of continuing education on a 2.0-year cycle.