Dental Hygienist / Arkansas
2026 data Arkansas board official source

Arkansas Dental Hygienist License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Official regulator records behind the requirements, fees, and renewal cycle for this license.

PlainCredential home → About this data

Provides preventive dental care and examines patients for oral disease.

What the Arkansas data shows for Dental Hygienists

Arkansas's path to dental hygienist licensure runs through 2,743 hours of approved instruction and a passing score on NBDHE (National Board Dental Hygiene Exam), plus a criminal history screening before applicants younger than 18 can be licensed. Arkansas folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, which classifies the training track as "Associate or Bachelor of Science Degree".

The initial price tag is $142, and renewal costs $86 every 2 years. Renewal isn't the end of the cost: 24 hours of continuing education are due every 2-year cycle, a recurring time commitment worth planning for.

On reciprocity, dental hygienists should know: Dental Hygiene Compact: 20+ states.

Licensing Ease Score

D
Licensing Ease Score
48/100
Dental Hygienist · Arkansas

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training F
2,743 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$142
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden C+
$43/yr
$86 every 2 years
Continuing Education C-
12.0 hrs/yr
24 hours every 2 years
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Arkansas

Education / Training Hours
Associate or Bachelor of Science Degree
2,743 hours
Exam Requirement
NBDHE (National Board Dental Hygiene Exam)
Required
Initial License Fee
$142
Renewal Fee
$86
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
24 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Dental Hygienist All Arkansas licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Arkansas licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Dental Hygienist in Arkansas? ▼
Arkansas requires 2743 education/training hours, passing an exam (NBDHE (National Board Dental Hygiene Exam)), and an initial fee of $142. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as a Dental Hygienist in Arkansas? ▼
Arkansas licenses dental hygienists who complete its requirements (2743 education hours) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the Arkansas licensing board.
Can I transfer my Dental Hygienist license to Arkansas from another state? ▼
Dental Hygienist licenses generally reciprocate as follows: Dental Hygiene Compact: 20+ states. Interstate licensing compacts cover many professions and can further ease a move between states. The Arkansas licensing board can confirm the current rules for your credential.
Does Arkansas require a background check for Dental Hygienist licensing? ▼
Background screening is part of the dental hygienist licensing process in Arkansas. The state licensing board determines which offenses disqualify an applicant and how appeals are handled.
What are the continuing education requirements for Dental Hygienist in Arkansas? ▼
Arkansas ties continued dental hygienist licensure to 24 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $86 renewal fee.

Related Guides

What to do with this dental hygienist license

Dental Hygienist in Arkansas, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a dental hygienist-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how Arkansas's dental hygienist requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Dental Hygienist in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state dental hygienist license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how Arkansas's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Arkansas overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Arkansas licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.