Dental Hygienist / Connecticut
2026 data Connecticut board official source

Connecticut Dental Hygienist License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Requirements, fees, and renewal timing for this license, sourced from state board records.

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Provides preventive dental care and examines patients for oral disease.

What the Connecticut data shows for Dental Hygienists

Connecticut's path to dental hygienist licensure runs through 3,176 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. Connecticut folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, which classifies the training track as "Associate or Bachelor of Science Degree".

Budget $261 to get started, plus $151 at each renewal on a 2-year cycle. Maintaining the license requires 24 hours of continuing education per 2-year cycle, an ongoing cost applicants often underestimate when budgeting the career.

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

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
38/100
Dental Hygienist · Connecticut

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
3,176 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$261
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$76/yr
$151 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 Connecticut

Education / Training Hours
Associate or Bachelor of Science Degree
3,176 hours
Exam Requirement
NBDHE (National Board Dental Hygiene Exam)
Required
Initial License Fee
$261
Renewal Fee
$151
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 Connecticut licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Connecticut licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Dental Hygienist in Connecticut? ▼
In Connecticut, the license path calls for 3176 education/training hours, a passing score on NBDHE (National Board Dental Hygiene Exam), and a $261 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Dental Hygienist in Connecticut? ▼
Certification as a dental hygienist in Connecticut means clearing the state's checklist: 3176 hours of education, and a passing exam score. The Connecticut licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Dental Hygienist license to Connecticut 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 Connecticut licensing board can confirm the current rules for your credential.
Does Connecticut require a background check for Dental Hygienist licensing? ▼
Background screening is part of the dental hygienist licensing process in Connecticut. 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 Connecticut? ▼
Licensed dental hygienists in Connecticut must complete 24 hours of continuing education every 2 years. The renewal fee is $151.

Related Guides

What to do with this dental hygienist license

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

  • See how Connecticut'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 Connecticut's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Connecticut overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Connecticut 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.