Dental Hygienist in Oregon
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for OR. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.
BLS OEWS 2024, Oregon.
Jobs (OR)
10-yr job growth
Licensing fees
Time to complete
route How to become a dental hygienist in Oregon
To become a licensed Dental Hygienist in Oregon, individuals must graduate from a CODA-accredited dental hygiene program and pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE), a regional clinical exam, and the Oregon Jurisprudence Exam. The licensing body is the Oregon Board of Dentistry. Applicants must be at least 18 years old, complete a one-hour pain management course specific to Oregon, and hold current CPR certification. Reciprocity is available for dental hygienists from other states who meet specific practice and education requirements, and Oregon is also participating in the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact.
bar_chart Salary percentiles
Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Oregon. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.
checklist Oregon requirements
| Licensing body | Oregon 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 Oregon Jurisprudence Exam |
| Application fee | $210 |
| Renewal | Every 2.0 years |
| Continuing education | 24.0 hours per cycle |
| Reciprocity | Oregon grants licenses without further examination for experienced hygienists meeting specific practice and education requirements.Reciprocal states: Oregon may grant a license without further examination to a dental hygienist licensed in another state if they meet specific requirements, including graduating from a CODA-accredited program, passing a clinical dental hygiene examination, holding an active, unrestricted license, having 3,500 hours of licensed clinical practice in the past five years, and completing 24 hours of continuing education within two years preceding the application. Oregon is also part of the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact, which facilitates license portability among member states, though compact privileges are not yet being issued. |
| Notes | Minimum age is 18 years old. CPR certification is required. Renewal is biennial on the last day of the licensee's birth month. At least three hours of CE must be related to medical emergencies, two hours to infection control, and two hours to cultural competency. A one-hour pain management course specific to Oregon is required prior to initial licensure. Background checks are mandated. |
Source: Oregon Board of Dentistry
Already licensed elsewhere and moving to Oregon? See whether Oregon 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_circleOregon 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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