New York dental hygienist license
What New York requires to license a dental hygienist, what a licensed hygienist may do, and how to keep the license current, taken from New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions, which licenses dental hygienists with the State Board for Dentistry. and state code pages.
| Licensing board | New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions, which licenses dental hygienists with the State Board for Dentistry. Source: op.nysed.gov, checked 2026-10-29. |
|---|---|
| How to apply | Apply online with Form 1, Application for Licensure, on the Office of the Professions dental hygienist forms page. Your school sends Form 2, Certification of Professional Education, directly. Open the page Source: op.nysed.gov, checked 2026-10-29. |
| Education | A high school diploma or equivalent and completion of a New York State registered licensure qualifying or American Dental Association accredited dental hygiene program. Source: op.nysed.gov, checked 2026-10-29. |
| National written exam | A passing score on the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, reported directly to the Department by the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations. Source: op.nysed.gov, checked 2026-10-29. |
| Clinical exam | A passing score on the CDCA (ADEX) clinical dental hygiene examination, sent directly by CDCA. The Department verifies ADEX scores from 1994 to present. Source: op.nysed.gov, checked 2026-10-29. |
| Fees | $128 for licensure and first registration. A limited permit, for graduates practicing under direct personal supervision before passing the exams, costs $50. Source: op.nysed.gov, checked 2026-10-29. |
| Licensed in another state | Licensure by endorsement: licensed in another US jurisdiction with at least 2 years of full-time lawful practice after initial licensure, 8 months of it in the 2 years before applying, and at least 21 years of age. Source: op.nysed.gov, checked 2026-10-29. |
| Local anesthesia | Yes, with a Dental Hygiene Restricted Local Infiltration Anesthesia/Nitrous Oxide Analgesia Certification. It requires a registered program with 30 hours of didactic coursework and 15 hours of clinical training. The certificate fee is $25. Source: op.nysed.gov, checked 2026-10-29. |
| Nitrous oxide | Yes. Hygienists may administer and monitor nitrous oxide analgesia once they hold the same restricted local infiltration anesthesia/nitrous oxide analgesia certification. Source: op.nysed.gov, checked 2026-10-29. |
| Supervision and direct access | Most hygiene services are performed under general supervision of a licensed dentist, some delegated functions need personal supervision, and hygienists working for a hospital may practice under a collaborative arrangement with a dentist at that hospital. Source: op.nysed.gov, checked 2026-10-29. |
| Renewal | The license is for life, but registration must be renewed every three years, with renewals falling in the licensee's birth month. Source: op.nysed.gov, checked 2026-10-29. |
| Continuing education | 24 contact hours each three-year registration period, plus a State approved infection control course every 4 years. No CE is required in the first registration period unless licensed by endorsement. Source: op.nysed.gov, checked 2026-10-29. |
Rules and fees change. Confirm with New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions, which licenses dental hygienists with the State Board for Dentistry. before you rely on them.
Licensed hygienists in New York earn a median $51.03 an hour ($106,130 a year). See New York pay by metro.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, all industries.
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