Dental Hygienist / Virginia
2026 data Virginia board official source

Virginia 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.

PlainCredential home → About this data

Provides preventive dental care and examines patients for oral disease.

What the Virginia data shows for Dental Hygienists

Virginia's path to dental hygienist licensure runs through 2,905 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. Virginia folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, which classifies the training track as "Associate or Bachelor of Science Degree".

Budget $186 to get started, plus $111 at each renewal on a 2-year cycle. The license also carries an ongoing 24-hour continuing-education requirement per 2-year cycle that adds to the true cost of staying licensed.

On reciprocity, dental hygienists should know: Dental Hygiene Compact: 20+ states.

Licensing Ease Score

D
Licensing Ease Score
44/100
Dental Hygienist · Virginia

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
2,905 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$186
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden C-
$56/yr
$111 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 Virginia

Education / Training Hours
Associate or Bachelor of Science Degree
2,905 hours
Exam Requirement
NBDHE (National Board Dental Hygiene Exam)
Required
Initial License Fee
$186
Renewal Fee
$111
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 Virginia licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Virginia licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Dental Hygienist in Virginia? ▼
Virginia's requirements cover 2905 hours of education or training, the NBDHE (National Board Dental Hygiene Exam) exam, and an initial fee of $186. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as a Dental Hygienist in Virginia? ▼
Certification as a dental hygienist in Virginia means clearing the state's checklist: 2905 hours of education, and a passing exam score. The Virginia licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Dental Hygienist license to Virginia 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 Virginia licensing board can confirm the current rules for your credential.
Does Virginia require a background check for Dental Hygienist licensing? ▼
Yes, Virginia 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 Virginia? ▼
Virginia ties continued dental hygienist licensure to 24 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $111 renewal fee.

Related Guides

What to do with this dental hygienist license

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

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

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