Dental Hygienist in Virginia
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for VA. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.
BLS OEWS 2024, Virginia.
Jobs (VA)
10-yr job growth
Licensing fees
Time to complete
route How to become a dental hygienist in Virginia
To become a licensed Dental Hygienist in Virginia, you must graduate from a CODA-accredited dental hygiene program and pass both the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) and a clinical examination acceptable to the Virginia Board of Dentistry. As of January 1, 2023, the Board only accepts the ADEX exam for licensure by examination. Additionally, applicants must maintain a current Healthcare Provider level BLS/CPR certification with a hands-on component. Virginia has joined the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact, which will facilitate reciprocity with other participating states once fully implemented.
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Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Virginia. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.
checklist Virginia requirements
| Licensing body | Virginia Board of Dentistry |
| State license | Required |
| Education | Associate degree in Dental Hygiene from a CODA-accredited program |
| Exam | National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) and a clinical examination acceptable to the Board (as of January 1, 2023, the Board only accepts the ADEX exam for licensure by examination) |
| Application fee | $175 |
| Renewal | Every 1.0 year |
| Continuing education | 15.0 hours per cycle |
| Reciprocity | Virginia offers licensure by credentials for experienced hygienists who passed a comparable clinical competency exam.Reciprocal states: Virginia has joined the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact, which aims to create reciprocity among participating states. However, compact privileges are not yet being issued, and the implementation process is expected to take 18 to 24 months. For licensure by credentials, applicants must hold a current, unrestricted license in another U.S. jurisdiction, have practiced clinically, ethically, and actively for 24 of the past 48 months, and have passed a clinical competency exam comparable to Virginia's requirements. |
| Notes | CPR certification (Healthcare Provider level BLS/CPR with hands-on component) is required. Renewal is annual by March 31. Applicants must be of good moral character and pass a criminal background check. There is no minimum age specified for licensure, but a dental hygienist may administer Schedule VI local anesthesia to persons 18 years of age or older. |
Source: Virginia Board of Dentistry
Already licensed elsewhere and moving to Virginia? See whether Virginia 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_circleVirginia 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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