Dental Hygienist in District of Columbia
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for DC. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.
BLS OEWS 2024, District of Columbia.
Jobs (DC)
10-yr job growth
Licensing fees
Time to complete
route How to become a dental hygienist in District of Columbia
To become a licensed Dental Hygienist in the District of Columbia, individuals must obtain a state license from the District of Columbia Board of Dentistry. Key steps include earning an Associate degree in Dental Hygiene from a CODA-accredited program, passing the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) and a regional clinical exam (such as ADEX, CITA, SRTA, CRDTS, or WREB), and successfully completing a DC Dental Law Examination. Applicants must also undergo a criminal background check and pay an application fee of $245.
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Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for District of Columbia. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.
checklist District of Columbia requirements
| Licensing body | District of Columbia 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 regional clinical exam (ADEX, CITA, SRTA, CRDTS, WREB) |
| Application fee | $245 |
| Renewal | Every 2.0 years |
| Continuing education | 15.0 hours per cycle |
| Reciprocity | DC offers licensure by endorsement, requiring prior completion of national and regional exams.Reciprocal states: The District of Columbia offers licensure by endorsement for applicants licensed in other jurisdictions who meet specific criteria, including successful completion of the NERB (CDCA/WREB/ADEX/CITA) examination within 10 years and the National Board Exam. A letter of certification from the reciprocal state is required. The District of Columbia is also part of an interstate compact for dental hygienists, which aims to streamline licensure across participating states. |
| Notes | Requires passing a criminal background check ($50 fee) and a DC Dental Law Examination. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age. Current CPR certification is also required. 10% of CE hours must be in public health priorities, 2 hours in infection control, 1 hour in ethics, and 2 hours in cultural competency or specialized clinical training focusing on LGBTQ patients. |
Source: District of Columbia Board of Dentistry
Already licensed elsewhere and moving to District of Columbia? See whether District of Columbia 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_circleDistrict of Columbia 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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