Dental Hygienist in Washington

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

Median annual salary

$125,370

trending_up +33.0% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Washington.

engineering

5,140

Jobs (WA)

monitoring Strong

+7.0%

10-yr job growth

payments

$1,100

Licensing fees

schedule

2-4 years

Time to complete

route How to become a dental hygienist in Washington

To become a licensed Dental Hygienist in Washington, you must graduate from a CODA-accredited dental hygiene program and successfully complete the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE), a regional clinical exam (WREB, CRDTS, or ADEX), and the Washington State Dental Hygiene Drug and Law Examination. The licensing body is the Washington State Dental Quality Assurance Commission. There are also continuing education requirements, including a one-time suicide prevention training and regular health equity training. Washington is part of the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact (DDH), which aims to facilitate reciprocity with other participating states.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $100,800

25th percentile $106,800

50th (median) $125,370

75th percentile $132,830

90th (experienced) $159,470

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

checklist Washington requirements

Licensing body	Washington State Dental Quality Assurance Commission
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 Washington State Dental Hygiene Drug and Law Examination ($600)
Application fee	$500
Renewal	Every 1.0 year
Continuing education	15.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Requires 7 hours of AIDS education and training (this information was not found in the search results and may be outdated). A one-time, three-hour suicide prevention continuing education training is required. Beginning January 1, 2024, licensed dental hygienists must complete two hours of health equity CE every four years. Renewal is annual on the licensee's birthday. Applicants must complete expanded function education in anesthesia, nitrous oxide, and restorative through their ADA CODA-accredited dental hygiene program or a Secretary of Health-approved program. A current Basic Life Support (BLS) for healthcare providers certification is required for renewal. The WREB exam is no longer offered as of December 31, 2022, but scores prior to this date may be accepted. The ADEX Dental Hygiene Examination series consists of a computer-based simulation exam and a clinical simulated patient (manikin) based examination. The CRDTS Dental Hygiene Simulated Patient Examination is also accepted if passed after October 8, 2021. The Washington State Dental Hygiene Drug and Law Examination is a non-proctored online exam.

Source: Washington State Dental Quality Assurance Commission

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_circleWashington 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?

See what the day actually looks like, who the role suits, and who should skip it — grounded in real practitioner sources.

arrow_forward

Frequently asked questions

What's required to work as a dental hygienist in Washington? expand_more

The path to dental hygienist licensure in Washington: 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, ADEX), and the Washington State Dental Hygiene Drug and Law Examination, and submit your application ($500 fee).

Does Washington require dental hygienist licensure? expand_more

You cannot practice as a dental hygienist in Washington without a state license from Washington State Dental Quality Assurance Commission. The required exam is the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE), a regional clinical exam (WREB, CRDTS, ADEX), and the Washington State Dental Hygiene Drug and Law Examination.

What is the average dental hygienist salary in Washington? expand_more

In Washington, the median pay for dental hygienists comes to $125,370/year. That's 33% above the national median of $94,260. New dental hygienists start around $100,800; seasoned professionals can reach $159,470.

How much does it cost to become a dental hygienist in Washington? expand_more

Between exam fee ($600) and application fee ($500), expect to invest around varies in total to get started.

What's the timeline to become a dental hygienist in Washington? expand_more

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

What are the continuing education requirements for dental hygienists in Washington? expand_more

To keep your license active, Washington mandates 15.0 CE hours every 1.0 year.