Dental Hygienist / Illinois
2026 data Illinois board official source

Illinois Dental Hygienist License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

State-board requirements, fees, and renewal cycle drawn from official regulator records.

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Provides preventive dental care and examines patients for oral disease.

What the Illinois data shows for Dental Hygienists

Illinois's path to dental hygienist licensure runs through 3,419 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. Illinois 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 $328, and renewal costs $188 every 2 years. The license also carries an ongoing 24-hour continuing-education requirement per 2-year cycle that adds to the true cost of staying licensed.

For dental hygienists, the reciprocity picture is: Dental Hygiene Compact: 20+ states.

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
35/100
Dental Hygienist · Illinois

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
3,419 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$328
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$94/yr
$188 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 Illinois

Education / Training Hours
Associate or Bachelor of Science Degree
3,419 hours
Exam Requirement
NBDHE (National Board Dental Hygiene Exam)
Required
Initial License Fee
$328
Renewal Fee
$188
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 Illinois licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Illinois licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Dental Hygienist in Illinois? ▼
Illinois's requirements cover 3419 hours of education or training, the NBDHE (National Board Dental Hygiene Exam) exam, and an initial fee of $328. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as a Dental Hygienist in Illinois? ▼
To become a licensed dental hygienist in Illinois, you must meet the state's requirements including 3419 hours of education. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the Illinois licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Dental Hygienist license to Illinois 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 Illinois licensing board can confirm the current rules for your credential.
Does Illinois require a background check for Dental Hygienist licensing? ▼
Yes, Illinois requires a criminal background check as part of the dental hygienist licensing process. Disqualifying offenses and review criteria are determined by the state licensing board.
What are the continuing education requirements for Dental Hygienist in Illinois? ▼
Licensed dental hygienists in Illinois must complete 24 hours of continuing education every 2 years. The renewal fee is $188.

Related Guides

What to do with this dental hygienist license

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

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

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