Dental Hygienist / Michigan
2026 data Michigan board official source

Michigan 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 Michigan data shows for Dental Hygienists

Becoming a licensed dental hygienist in Michigan means clearing a defined set of hurdles: 2,973 training hours, a passing score on NBDHE (National Board Dental Hygiene Exam), plus a background history check once the applicant turns 18. Michigan regulators place this credential inside their licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Associate or Bachelor of Science Degree".

The initial price tag is $205, and renewal costs $121 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.

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

Licensing Ease Score

D
Licensing Ease Score
43/100
Dental Hygienist · Michigan

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
2,973 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$205
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden D
$61/yr
$121 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 Michigan

Education / Training Hours
Associate or Bachelor of Science Degree
2,973 hours
Exam Requirement
NBDHE (National Board Dental Hygiene Exam)
Required
Initial License Fee
$205
Renewal Fee
$121
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 Michigan licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Michigan licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Dental Hygienist in Michigan? ▼
In Michigan, the license path calls for 2973 education/training hours, a passing score on NBDHE (National Board Dental Hygiene Exam), and a $205 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Dental Hygienist in Michigan? ▼
To become a licensed dental hygienist in Michigan, you must meet the state's requirements including 2973 hours of education. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the Michigan licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Dental Hygienist license to Michigan 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 Michigan licensing board for how this applies to you.
Does Michigan require a background check for Dental Hygienist licensing? ▼
Michigan 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 Michigan? ▼
To stay licensed as a dental hygienist in Michigan, plan on 24 hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $121.

Related Guides

What to do with this dental hygienist license

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

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

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