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

New York Dental Hygienist License Requirements

Requirements, fees, and renewal timing for this license, sourced from state board records.

Provides preventive dental care and examines patients for oral disease.

What the New York data shows for Dental Hygienists

New York's path to dental hygienist licensure runs through 3,089 hours of approved instruction and a passing score on NBDHE (National Board Dental Hygiene Exam), plus a criminal history screening before applicants younger than 18 can be licensed. New York folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, which classifies the training track as "Associate or Bachelor of Science Degree".

Budget $237 to get started, plus $138 at each renewal 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

D
Licensing Ease Score
40/100
Dental Hygienist · New York

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
3,089 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$237
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden D
$69/yr
$138 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 York

Education / Training Hours
Associate or Bachelor of Science Degree
3,089 hours
Exam Requirement
NBDHE (National Board Dental Hygiene Exam)
Required
Initial License Fee
$237
Renewal Fee
$138
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
24 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with New York licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Dental Hygienist in New York?
In New York, the license path calls for 3089 education/training hours, a passing score on NBDHE (National Board Dental Hygiene Exam), and a $237 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Dental Hygienist in New York?
New York licenses dental hygienists who complete its requirements (3089 education hours) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the New York licensing board.
Can I transfer my Dental Hygienist license to New York 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 New York licensing board to confirm how it applies to your specific credential.
Does New York require a background check for Dental Hygienist licensing?
A criminal background check is mandatory for dental hygienist licensing in New York. The state licensing board sets the disqualifying-offense criteria and review process.
What are the continuing education requirements for Dental Hygienist in New York?
New York ties continued dental hygienist licensure to 24 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $138 renewal fee.

What to do with this dental hygienist license

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

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

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