Dental Hygienist / South Carolina
2026 data South Carolina board official source

South Carolina Dental Hygienist License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

What the state board actually requires: fees, renewal cycle, and requirements from official records.

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Provides preventive dental care and examines patients for oral disease.

What the South Carolina data shows for Dental Hygienists

South Carolina sets the entry bar for dental hygienists at 2,716 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 South Carolina's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Associate or Bachelor of Science Degree".

The initial price tag is $134, and renewal costs $82 every 2 years. Maintaining the license requires 24 hours of continuing education per 2-year cycle, an ongoing cost applicants often underestimate when budgeting the career.

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

Licensing Ease Score

D
Licensing Ease Score
49/100
Dental Hygienist · South Carolina

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
2,716 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$134
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden C+
$41/yr
$82 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 South Carolina

Education / Training Hours
Associate or Bachelor of Science Degree
2,716 hours
Exam Requirement
NBDHE (National Board Dental Hygiene Exam)
Required
Initial License Fee
$134
Renewal Fee
$82
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 South Carolina licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with South Carolina licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Dental Hygienist in South Carolina? ▼
South Carolina's requirements cover 2716 hours of education or training, the NBDHE (National Board Dental Hygiene Exam) exam, and an initial fee of $134. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as a Dental Hygienist in South Carolina? ▼
To become a licensed dental hygienist in South Carolina, you must meet the state's requirements including 2716 hours of education. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the South Carolina licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Dental Hygienist license to South Carolina 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 South Carolina licensing board can confirm the current rules for your credential.
Does South Carolina require a background check for Dental Hygienist licensing? ▼
Yes, South Carolina 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 South Carolina? ▼
South Carolina ties continued dental hygienist licensure to 24 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $82 renewal fee.

Related Guides

What to do with this dental hygienist license

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

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

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