Dental Hygienist in Oklahoma
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for OK. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.
BLS OEWS 2024, Oklahoma.
Jobs (OK)
10-yr job growth
Licensing fees
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
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 |
| Reciprocity | Oklahoma licenses experienced hygienists without examination, requiring a jurisprudence exam and proof of prior exams.Reciprocal states: Oklahoma may license dental hygienists without examination if they are licensed in another state or territory, have been in active practice for at least two years immediately prior to application, meet Oklahoma's education and training standards, are in good standing, and pass the Oklahoma Jurisprudence Examination. The applicant must also have passed a practical examination for licensure equivalent to Oklahoma's requirements and the National Board examinations. |
| 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
Already licensed elsewhere and moving to Oklahoma? See whether Oklahoma 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_circleOklahoma license required — clearer credential signal to employers
- check_circleStrong 10-year job growth (+7.0%)
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