Dental Hygienist / Nebraska
2026 data Nebraska board official source

Nebraska 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.

PlainCredential home → About this data

Provides preventive dental care and examines patients for oral disease.

What the Nebraska data shows for Dental Hygienists

To practice as a dental hygienist in Nebraska, the state licensing board requires 2,662 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 Nebraska's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Associate or Bachelor of Science Degree".

Upfront cost is $120, with renewal running $74 on a 2-year cycle. 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.

On reciprocity, dental hygienists should know: Dental Hygiene Compact: 20+ states.

Licensing Ease Score

C-
Licensing Ease Score
51/100
Dental Hygienist · Nebraska

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
2,662 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee D
$120
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden B-
$37/yr
$74 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 Nebraska

Education / Training Hours
Associate or Bachelor of Science Degree
2,662 hours
Exam Requirement
NBDHE (National Board Dental Hygiene Exam)
Required
Initial License Fee
$120
Renewal Fee
$74
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 Nebraska licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Nebraska licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Dental Hygienist in Nebraska? ▼
In Nebraska, the license path calls for 2662 education/training hours, a passing score on NBDHE (National Board Dental Hygiene Exam), and a $120 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Dental Hygienist in Nebraska? ▼
Certification as a dental hygienist in Nebraska means clearing the state's checklist: 2662 hours of education, and a passing exam score. The Nebraska licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Dental Hygienist license to Nebraska 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 Nebraska licensing board to confirm how it applies to your specific credential.
Does Nebraska require a background check for Dental Hygienist licensing? ▼
Yes, Nebraska 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 Nebraska? ▼
To stay licensed as a dental hygienist in Nebraska, plan on 24 hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $74.

Related Guides

What to do with this dental hygienist license

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

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

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