Dental Hygienist / Minnesota
2026 data Minnesota board official source

Minnesota Dental Hygienist License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Official regulator records behind the requirements, fees, and renewal cycle for this license.

PlainCredential home → About this data

Provides preventive dental care and examines patients for oral disease.

What the Minnesota data shows for Dental Hygienists

To practice as a dental hygienist in Minnesota, the state licensing board requires 2,851 documented education or training hours, a passing score on NBDHE (National Board Dental Hygiene Exam). A criminal history background check is also part of the application. Applicants must be at least 18 years old. The regulation sits under Minnesota's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Associate or Bachelor of Science Degree".

The initial price tag is $172, and renewal costs $103 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.

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

Licensing Ease Score

D
Licensing Ease Score
45/100
Dental Hygienist · Minnesota

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
2,851 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$172
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden C-
$52/yr
$103 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 Minnesota

Education / Training Hours
Associate or Bachelor of Science Degree
2,851 hours
Exam Requirement
NBDHE (National Board Dental Hygiene Exam)
Required
Initial License Fee
$172
Renewal Fee
$103
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 Minnesota licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Minnesota licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Dental Hygienist in Minnesota? ▼
Minnesota requires 2851 education/training hours, passing an exam (NBDHE (National Board Dental Hygiene Exam)), and an initial fee of $172. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as a Dental Hygienist in Minnesota? ▼
Minnesota licenses dental hygienists who complete its requirements (2851 education hours) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the Minnesota licensing board.
Can I transfer my Dental Hygienist license to Minnesota from another state? ▼
For dental hygienists, the reciprocity landscape looks like this: Dental Hygiene Compact: 20+ states. Many professions are also covered by interstate licensing compacts that facilitate portability between states. Contact the Minnesota licensing board to confirm how it applies to your specific credential.
Does Minnesota require a background check for Dental Hygienist licensing? ▼
Minnesota 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 Minnesota? ▼
Licensed dental hygienists in Minnesota must complete 24 hours of continuing education every 2 years. The renewal fee is $103.

Related Guides

What to do with this dental hygienist license

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

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

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