Dental Hygienist / New Jersey
2026 data New Jersey board official source

New Jersey 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 New Jersey data shows for Dental Hygienists

To practice as a dental hygienist in New Jersey, the state licensing board requires 3,149 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 New Jersey's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Associate or Bachelor of Science Degree".

Upfront cost is $253, with renewal running $147 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.

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

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
39/100
Dental Hygienist · New Jersey

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
3,149 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$253
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$74/yr
$147 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 New Jersey

Education / Training Hours
Associate or Bachelor of Science Degree
3,149 hours
Exam Requirement
NBDHE (National Board Dental Hygiene Exam)
Required
Initial License Fee
$253
Renewal Fee
$147
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 New Jersey licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with New Jersey licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Dental Hygienist in New Jersey? ▼
New Jersey's requirements cover 3149 hours of education or training, the NBDHE (National Board Dental Hygiene Exam) exam, and an initial fee of $253. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as a Dental Hygienist in New Jersey? ▼
To become a licensed dental hygienist in New Jersey, you must meet the state's requirements including 3149 hours of education. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the New Jersey licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Dental Hygienist license to New Jersey 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 New Jersey licensing board for how this applies to you.
Does New Jersey require a background check for Dental Hygienist licensing? ▼
Yes, New Jersey 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 New Jersey? ▼
New Jersey ties continued dental hygienist licensure to 24 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $147 renewal fee.

Related Guides

What to do with this dental hygienist license

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

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

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