Dental Hygienist / West Virginia
2026 data West Virginia board official source

West Virginia Dental Hygienist License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Requirements, fees, and renewal timing for this license, sourced from state board records.

PlainCredential home → About this data

Provides preventive dental care and examines patients for oral disease.

What the West Virginia data shows for Dental Hygienists

Becoming a licensed dental hygienist in West Virginia 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. West Virginia regulators place this credential inside their licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Associate or Bachelor of Science Degree".

Upfront cost is $153, with renewal running $93 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.

Reciprocity for this profession works like this: Dental Hygiene Compact: 20+ states.

Licensing Ease Score

D
Licensing Ease Score
47/100
Dental Hygienist · West 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
2,784 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 West Virginia

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

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Dental Hygienist All West Virginia licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with West Virginia licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Dental Hygienist in West Virginia? ▼
In West Virginia, 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 West Virginia? ▼
West Virginia licenses dental hygienists who complete its requirements (2784 education hours) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the West Virginia licensing board.
Can I transfer my Dental Hygienist license to West Virginia from another state? ▼
Reciprocity for dental hygienists nationally works like this: Dental Hygiene Compact: 20+ states. Beyond that baseline, interstate compacts exist for many professions and may smooth a transfer into West Virginia. Verify the specifics with the West Virginia licensing board.
Does West Virginia require a background check for Dental Hygienist licensing? ▼
West Virginia 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 West Virginia? ▼
Licensed dental hygienists in West Virginia must complete 24 hours of continuing education every 2 years. The renewal fee is $93.

Related Guides

What to do with this dental hygienist license

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

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

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