Dental Hygienist / Texas
2026 data Texas board official source

Texas Dental Hygienist License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

State-board requirements, fees, and renewal cycle drawn from official regulator records.

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Provides preventive dental care and examines patients for oral disease.

What the Texas data shows for Dental Hygienists

Becoming a licensed dental hygienist in Texas means clearing a defined set of hurdles: 3,027 training hours, a passing score on NBDHE (National Board Dental Hygiene Exam), plus a background history check once the applicant turns 18. Texas regulators place this credential inside their licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Associate or Bachelor of Science Degree".

Budget $220 to get started, plus $129 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
41/100
Dental Hygienist · Texas

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
3,027 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$220
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden D
$65/yr
$129 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 Texas

Education / Training Hours
Associate or Bachelor of Science Degree
3,027 hours
Exam Requirement
NBDHE (National Board Dental Hygiene Exam)
Required
Initial License Fee
$220
Renewal Fee
$129
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 Texas licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Texas licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Dental Hygienist in Texas? ▼
Texas requires 3027 education/training hours, passing an exam (NBDHE (National Board Dental Hygiene Exam)), and an initial fee of $220. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as a Dental Hygienist in Texas? ▼
Certification as a dental hygienist in Texas means clearing the state's checklist: 3027 hours of education, and a passing exam score. The Texas licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Dental Hygienist license to Texas 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 Texas licensing board for how this applies to you.
Does Texas require a background check for Dental Hygienist licensing? ▼
Texas does require a background check before issuing a dental hygienist license. What counts as disqualifying, and how it's reviewed, is up to the state licensing board.
What are the continuing education requirements for Dental Hygienist in Texas? ▼
Licensed dental hygienists in Texas must complete 24 hours of continuing education every 2 years. The renewal fee is $129.

Related Guides

What to do with this dental hygienist license

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

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

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