Dental Hygienist / Oregon
2026 data Oregon board official source

Oregon 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.

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Provides preventive dental care and examines patients for oral disease.

What the Oregon data shows for Dental Hygienists

Oregon sets the entry bar for dental hygienists at 3,441 training hours and a passing score on NBDHE (National Board Dental Hygiene Exam). A background check is a standard part of the process, and applicants must be 18 or older. The credential is administered under Oregon's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Associate or Bachelor of Science Degree".

The initial price tag is $334, and renewal costs $191 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

F
Licensing Ease Score
35/100
Dental Hygienist · Oregon

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
3,441 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$334
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$96/yr
$191 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 Oregon

Education / Training Hours
Associate or Bachelor of Science Degree
3,441 hours
Exam Requirement
NBDHE (National Board Dental Hygiene Exam)
Required
Initial License Fee
$334
Renewal Fee
$191
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 Oregon licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Oregon licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Dental Hygienist in Oregon? ▼
In Oregon, the license path calls for 3441 education/training hours, a passing score on NBDHE (National Board Dental Hygiene Exam), and a $334 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Dental Hygienist in Oregon? ▼
Oregon licenses dental hygienists who complete its requirements (3441 education hours) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the Oregon licensing board.
Can I transfer my Dental Hygienist license to Oregon from another state? ▼
Dental Hygienist licenses generally reciprocate as follows: Dental Hygiene Compact: 20+ states. Interstate licensing compacts cover many professions and can further ease a move between states. The Oregon licensing board can confirm the current rules for your credential.
Does Oregon require a background check for Dental Hygienist licensing? ▼
A criminal background check is mandatory for dental hygienist licensing in Oregon. The state licensing board sets the disqualifying-offense criteria and review process.
What are the continuing education requirements for Dental Hygienist in Oregon? ▼
To stay licensed as a dental hygienist in Oregon, plan on 24 hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $191.

Related Guides

What to do with this dental hygienist license

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

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

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