Dental Hygienist / Maine
2026 data Maine board official source

Maine 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 Maine data shows for Dental Hygienists

Maine sets the entry bar for dental hygienists at 2,527 training hours and a passing score on NBDHE (National Board Dental Hygiene Exam). A background check is a standard part of the process, and applicants must be 18 or older. The credential is administered under Maine's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Associate or Bachelor of Science Degree".

The initial price tag is $82, and renewal costs $54 every 2 years. Maintaining the license requires 24 hours of continuing education per 2-year cycle, an ongoing cost applicants often underestimate when budgeting the career.

Reciprocity for this profession works like this: Dental Hygiene Compact: 20+ states.

Licensing Ease Score

C
Licensing Ease Score
59/100
Dental Hygienist · Maine

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
2,527 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee B-
$82
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden B+
$27/yr
$54 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 Maine

Education / Training Hours
Associate or Bachelor of Science Degree
2,527 hours
Exam Requirement
NBDHE (National Board Dental Hygiene Exam)
Required
Initial License Fee
$82
Renewal Fee
$54
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 Maine licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Maine licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Dental Hygienist in Maine? ▼
In Maine, the license path calls for 2527 education/training hours, a passing score on NBDHE (National Board Dental Hygiene Exam), and a $82 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Dental Hygienist in Maine? ▼
Certification as a dental hygienist in Maine means clearing the state's checklist: 2527 hours of education, and a passing exam score. The Maine licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Dental Hygienist license to Maine 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 Maine licensing board for how this applies to you.
Does Maine require a background check for Dental Hygienist licensing? ▼
Maine does require a background check before issuing a dental hygienist license. What counts as disqualifying, and how it's reviewed, is up to the state licensing board.
What are the continuing education requirements for Dental Hygienist in Maine? ▼
Maine ties continued dental hygienist licensure to 24 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $54 renewal fee.

Related Guides

What to do with this dental hygienist license

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

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

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