2026 data Utah board official source

Utah Dental Hygienist License Requirements

Official regulator records behind the requirements, fees, and renewal cycle for this license.

Provides preventive dental care and examines patients for oral disease.

What the Utah data shows for Dental Hygienists

Becoming a licensed dental hygienist in Utah means clearing a defined set of hurdles: 2,784 training hours, a passing score on NBDHE (National Board Dental Hygiene Exam), plus a background history check once the applicant turns 18. Utah regulators place this credential inside their licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Associate or Bachelor of Science Degree".

Budget $153 to get started, plus $93 at each renewal on a 2-year cycle. 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
47/100
Dental Hygienist · Utah

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
2,784 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$153
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden C
$47/yr
$93 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 Utah

Education / Training Hours
Associate or Bachelor of Science Degree
2,784 hours
Exam Requirement
NBDHE (National Board Dental Hygiene Exam)
Required
Initial License Fee
$153
Renewal Fee
$93
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 Utah licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Dental Hygienist in Utah?
In Utah, the license path calls for 2784 education/training hours, a passing score on NBDHE (National Board Dental Hygiene Exam), and a $153 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Dental Hygienist in Utah?
Certification as a dental hygienist in Utah means clearing the state's checklist: 2784 hours of education, and a passing exam score. The Utah licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Dental Hygienist license to Utah 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 Utah licensing board can confirm the current rules for your credential.
Does Utah require a background check for Dental Hygienist licensing?
A criminal background check is mandatory for dental hygienist licensing in Utah. The state licensing board sets the disqualifying-offense criteria and review process.
What are the continuing education requirements for Dental Hygienist in Utah?
To stay licensed as a dental hygienist in Utah, plan on 24 hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $93.

What to do with this dental hygienist license

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

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

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