Dental Hygienist


Click on the appropriate tab below to see the Initial Licensing Requirements, Process, Fees, Statutes and Administrative Rules for a Dental Hygienist.

The State of Florida does not have reciprocity with any state and does not issue licenses by endorsement or credentials. The requirements for licensure by examination are listed below and can be found in Section 466.007, Florida Statutes.:

1.  Is at least 18 years of age

2.  Has graduated from:

  • a dental hygiene college or school approved by the board
    or accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the
    American Dental Association or its successor agency, if any,
    or any other dental hygiene program accrediting entity
    recognized by the United States Department of Education;

OR

  • is a graduate of an unaccredited dental college or school,
    and has completed a minimum of 4 years of postsecondary
    dental education and received a dental school diploma which
    is comparable to a D.D.S. or D.M.D.

3.  Successful completion of the following examinations:

  • Dental Hygiene National Board Examination

(Graduates of non-accredited dental schools have the option of completing the National Board Dental Examination or the Dental Hygiene National Board Examination)

  • ADEX Dental Hygiene Licensing Examination administered in Florida or in another jurisdiction other than Florida. ADEX scores are valid if taken on or after June 1, 2010
  • Florida Laws and Rules Examination

Florida Laws and Rules Examination Applicants are required to submit the following documents for licensure:

  1. National Board Dental Hygiene Examination scores mailed to the Board office directly from the American Dental Association
  2. Final official transcripts sent to the Board office by the registrar’s office with appropriate stamps, seals, degree and signatures. All final transcripts must indicate the matriculation date, graduation date, degree earned, and be embossed with the school seal. We will not accept any transcript that has “issued to student” stamped on the transcript. Any transcript, which does not conform to these standards, shall be deemed unofficial and unacceptable.
  3. If applicable, a certification of licensure from each state in which applicant currently holds or has held a dental or dental hygiene license. The certification should state that your license is in good standing; appropriate signatures and embossed seal of the certifying Board are needed for validation.
  4. Current proof of training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) at the basic support level, including one – rescuer and two rescuer CPR for adults, children, and infants; the use of an automatic external defibrillator (AED) and the use of ambu-bags. All such training shall be sufficient for and shall result in current certification or recertification by the American Heart Association, the American Red Cross or an entity with equivalent requirements.

Applicants with Health History

Applicants who answer “Yes” to any of the Health History questions on the application are required to submit the following documentation to the board office:

Self-Explanation – Applicants must submit a letter in your own words explaining the medical condition(s) or occurrence(s). Include a description of all treatments and diagnoses you have received for any condition(s)/impairment(s) you are/have been treated for. Include all medications prescribed and all physicians/counselors that have provided treatment.

Physician(s) Letter – Applicants must submit a statement from your treating physician(s)/counselor(s) for each condition you are/were being treated for and whether or not you are currently able to safely practice Dentistry. The physician’s statement should include all DSM IIIR/ DSM IV, Axis I, II, and III diagnoses.

Applicants with Disciplinary History

Applicants who have ever been denied licensure, had disciplinary action taken against their license, or have action pending against their license to practice any health care related profession by a licensing authority are required to submit the following documentation to the board:

Self-Explanation – Applicants who have listed disciplinary action on the application must submit a letter in your own words describing the circumstances of the action.

Agency Records – All relevant documentation regarding the action should be sent to the board office by the licensing agency. If the records are not available, you must have a letter on agency letterhead sent from the licensing agency attesting to their unavailability.

Applicants with Criminal History

Any applicant who has ever been found guilty of or pled guilty or no contest/nolo contendere to any charge other than a minor traffic offense must list each offense on the application. Failure to disclose criminal history may result in denial of your application. Each application is reviewed on its own merits.

The Board of Dentistry has created guidelines for specific offenses to be cleared in the board office; however, staff cannot make determinations in advance as laws and rules do change over time. Violent crimes and repeat offenders are required to be presented to the Board of Dentistry for review. Evidence of rehabilitation is important to the board members when making licensure decisions.

Applicants with prior criminal convictions are required to submit the following documentation to the board:

Self-Explanation – Applicants who have listed offenses on the application must submit a letter in your own words describing the circumstances of the offense.

Final Dispositions/Arrest Records – Final disposition records for offenses can be obtained at the clerk of the court in the arresting jurisdiction. If the records are not available, you must have a letter on court letterhead sent from the clerk of the court attesting to their unavailability.

Completion of Probation/Parole/Sanctions – Probation and financial sanction records for offenses can be obtained at the clerk of the court in the arresting jurisdiction. Parole records for offenses can be obtained from the Department of Corrections or at the clerk of the court in the arresting jurisdiction. If the records are not available, you must have a letter on court letterhead sent from the clerk of the court attesting to their unavailability.

Health Care Fraud, Disqualification for Licensure, Certificate, or Registration

Effective July 1, 2012, Section 456.0635, Florida Statutes (F.S.), provides that health care boards or the department shall refuse to issue a license, certificate or registration and shall refuse to admit a candidate for examination if the applicant:

  1. Has been convicted of, or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, regardless of adjudication, a felony under Chapter 409, F.S., (relating to social and economic assistance), Chapter 817, F.S., (relating to fraudulent practices), Chapter 893, F.S., (relating to drug abuse prevention and control) or a similar felony offense(s) in another state or jurisdiction unless the candidate or applicant has successfully completed a drug court program for that felony and provides proof that the plea has been withdrawn or the charges have been dismissed. Any such conviction or plea shall exclude the applicant or candidate from licensure, examination, certification, or registration, unless the sentence and any subsequent period of probation for such conviction or plea ended:
    1. For the felonies of the first or second degree, more than 15 years from the date of the plea, sentence and completion of any subsequent probation;
    2. For the felonies of the third degree, more than 10 years from the date of the plea, sentence and completion of any subsequent probation;
    3. For the felonies of the third degree under section 893.13(6)(a), F.S., more than five years from the date of the plea, sentence and completion of any subsequent probation;
  2. Has been convicted of, or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, regardless of adjudication, a felony under 21 U.S.C. ss. 801-970 (relating to controlled substances) or 42 U.S.C. ss. 1395-1396 (relating to public health, welfare, Medicare and Medicaid issues), unless the sentence and any subsequent period of probation for such conviction or pleas ended more than 15 years prior to the date of the application;
  3. Has been terminated for cause from the Florida Medicaid program pursuant to section 409.913, F.S., unless the candidate or applicant has been in good standing with the Florida Medicaid program for the most recent five years;
  4. Has been terminated for cause, pursuant to the appeals procedures established by the state or Federal Government, from any other state Medicaid program, unless the candidate or applicant has been in good standing with a state Medicaid program for the most recent five years and the termination occurred at least 20 years before the date of the application;
  5. Is currently listed on the United States Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General’s List of Excluded Individuals and Entities.

The following steps apply to graduates of a dental hygiene program ACCREDITED by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation:

Applicant must successfully complete the required examinations:

  1. National Board Dental Hygiene Examination
  2. ADEX Dental Hygiene Licensing Examination
  3. Florida Laws and Rules Examination*

*The Florida Department of Health has contracted with The Commission on Dental Competency Assessments (CDCA) to provide the Laws and Rules examination. Examination registration began April 1, 2015 with the CDCA and associated fees are the same. Please visit http://www.cdcaexams.org to register for examination and view candidate manuals.

Upon completion of the required examinations, download an application for licensure from the Resources page or apply online.

Credentials to be submitted with the Application for Licensure are:

  1. National Board Dental Hygiene Examination scores sent to the Board office directly from the American Dental Association
  2. Final official transcripts sent to the Board office by the registrar’s office with appropriate stamps, seals, degree and signatures. All final transcripts must indicate the matriculation date, graduation date, degree earned, and be embossed with the school seal.
  3. If applicable, a certification of licensure from each state in which applicant currently holds or has held a dental or dental hygiene license.
  4. Current proof of training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) at the basic support level, including one – rescuer and two rescuer CPR for adults, children, and infants; the use of an automatic external defibrillator (AED) and the use of ambu-bags. All such training shall be sufficient for and shall result in current certification or recertification by the American Heart Association, the American Red Cross or an entity with equivalent requirements.

Graduates of dental colleges or schools that are NOT ACCREDITED by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation must be approved by the Board office to schedule the ADEX Dental Hygiene Licensing Examination and the Florida Laws and Rules Examination.

The applicant must submit a completed APPLICATION FOR CREDENTIALS REVIEW FOR GRADUATES FROM NON-ACCREDITED DENTAL COLLEGES OR SCHOOLS.

The following documents are required to complete this application:

  1. Credentials Evaluation
  2. Subject Analysis Evaluation Report completed by the Educational Credentials Evaluators Inc. (ECE).
  3. Proof of completion of dental degree in accordance with s. 466.007(3), Florida Statutes and Rule 64B5-2.0144, Florida Administrative Code (transcripts and copies of dental diploma; all documents must be translated). DO NOT send your original diploma. Our office does not maintain original documents and is not responsible for your original diploma. This cannot be returned if mailed.
  4. Proof of successful completion of the National Board Dental Examination (Part I and II) or the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination. The national board scores must be mailed to our office directly from the American Dental Association.

The Board office will notify the Commission on Dental Competency Assessments (CDCA) of the applicant’s eligibility to apply for the Clinical and Florida Laws & Rules examinations once the Credentials application is reviewed and approved.

Upon completion of the Clinical and Florida Laws and Rules Examinations, download an application for licensure from the Resources page or apply online.

Credentials to be submitted with the Application for Licensure are:

    • If applicable, a certification of licensure from each state in which applicant currently holds or has held a dental or dental hygiene license. The certification should state that your license is in good standing; appropriate signatures and embossed seal of the certifying Board are needed for validation.
    • Current proof of training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) at the basic support level, including one – rescuer and two rescuer CPR for adults, children, and infants; the use of an automatic external defibrillator (AED) and the use of ambu-bags. All such training shall be sufficient for and shall result in current certification or recertification by the American Heart Association, the American Red Cross or an entity with equivalent requirements.

All applicants must visit www.cdcaexams.org to register for the Florida Laws and Rules examination.

The mailing address for supporting documentation relating to the licensure application is:

Department of Health
Board of Dentistry
4052 Bald Cypress Way, BIN #C-O4
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3258
(850) 245-4474 Telephone Number
(850) 921-5389 Fax Number

Certified check or money order should be made payable to the Florida Department of Health.

The total fee is required and should be submitted with your application for licensure.

TOTAL FEE$130.00
Application Fee$50.00
Licensure Fee*$80.00

*Licensure fee is $37.50 for applicants applying in the second year of the biennium. All initial licenses expire February 28 of the following even numbered year. Licensure biennium dates are March 1 – February 28 of the even years

Click on Chapter or Section Number to View

Florida Statutes

Chapter 456: Health Professions and Occupations: General Provisions
Chapter 466: Dentistry, Dental Hygiene, and Dental Laboratories
Section 466.007: Examination of dental hygienists
Section 466.023: Dental Hygienists; scope and area of practice
Section 466.0235: Dental charting
Section 466.024: Delegation of duties; expanded functions

Florida Administrative Code

Chapter 64B5: Board of Dentistry
Rule 64B5-2: Examination and Licensure of Dentists and Dental Hygienists
Rule 64B5-16: Remediable Tasks Delegable to Dental Hygienists and Dental Assistants