Dental Hygienist / Massachusetts
2026 data Massachusetts board official source

Massachusetts Dental Hygienist License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

What the state board actually requires: fees, renewal cycle, and requirements from official records.

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Provides preventive dental care and examines patients for oral disease.

What the Massachusetts data shows for Dental Hygienists

Becoming a licensed dental hygienist in Massachusetts means clearing a defined set of hurdles: 3,135 training hours, a passing score on NBDHE (National Board Dental Hygiene Exam), plus a background history check once the applicant turns 18. Massachusetts regulators place this credential inside their licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Associate or Bachelor of Science Degree".

Budget $250 to get started, plus $145 at each renewal on a 2-year cycle. 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
39/100
Dental Hygienist · Massachusetts

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
3,135 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$250
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$73/yr
$145 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 Massachusetts

Education / Training Hours
Associate or Bachelor of Science Degree
3,135 hours
Exam Requirement
NBDHE (National Board Dental Hygiene Exam)
Required
Initial License Fee
$250
Renewal Fee
$145
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 Massachusetts licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Massachusetts licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Dental Hygienist in Massachusetts? ▼
In Massachusetts, the license path calls for 3135 education/training hours, a passing score on NBDHE (National Board Dental Hygiene Exam), and a $250 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Dental Hygienist in Massachusetts? ▼
Massachusetts licenses dental hygienists who complete its requirements (3135 education hours) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the Massachusetts licensing board.
Can I transfer my Dental Hygienist license to Massachusetts from another state? ▼
Here's how reciprocity typically plays out for dental hygienists: Dental Hygiene Compact: 20+ states. Many occupations are additionally covered by interstate licensing compacts that ease cross-state moves. Check with the Massachusetts licensing board for how this applies to you.
Does Massachusetts require a background check for Dental Hygienist licensing? ▼
A criminal background check is mandatory for dental hygienist licensing in Massachusetts. The state licensing board sets the disqualifying-offense criteria and review process.
What are the continuing education requirements for Dental Hygienist in Massachusetts? ▼
Licensed dental hygienists in Massachusetts must complete 24 hours of continuing education every 2 years. The renewal fee is $145.

Related Guides

What to do with this dental hygienist license

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

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

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