Tennessee dental hygienist license

What Tennessee requires to license a dental hygienist, what a licensed hygienist may do, and how to keep the license current, taken from Tennessee Board of Dentistry and state code pages.

Tennessee dental hygienist licensing, checked 2026-10-29
Licensing board	Tennessee Board of Dentistry Source: publications.tnsosfiles.com, checked 2026-10-29.
How to apply	Application instructions are in Board rule 0460-03-.01. Applicants obtain the application form from the Board Administrative Office and file all documents and fees together. Open the page Source: publications.tnsosfiles.com, checked 2026-10-29.
Education	Graduation from a dental hygiene program approved or provisionally approved by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), with the certificate of graduation and transcript sent directly by the school. Source: publications.tnsosfiles.com, checked 2026-10-29.
National written exam	The National Board Dental Hygiene Examination is required for anyone who graduated from a dental hygiene program after 1972. Source: publications.tnsosfiles.com, checked 2026-10-29.
Clinical exam	Any Board-approved clinical examination, including those offered by the Southern Regional Testing Agency (SRTA) and the Western Regional Examining Board (WREB). Source: publications.tnsosfiles.com, checked 2026-10-29.
State law exam	Applicants must pass the Tennessee Board of Dentistry Ethics and Jurisprudence examination. Source: publications.tnsosfiles.com, checked 2026-10-29.
Fees	Licensure application fee of $86.25 plus a $10.00 state regulatory fee. Criteria approval (reciprocity) applicants also pay a $37.50 criteria licensure fee. Source: publications.tnsosfiles.com, checked 2026-10-29.
Licensed in another state	Hygienists licensed in another state may apply by criteria approval (reciprocity) with an active license in good standing elsewhere and active practice for three of the five years immediately before applying. Source: publications.tnsosfiles.com, checked 2026-10-29.
Local anesthesia	Allowed with Board certification, earned through a CODA program that teaches local anesthesia to clinical competency, a Board-approved course, or an equivalent out-of-state course. Administered only under direct supervision of a dentist. Source: publications.tnsosfiles.com, checked 2026-10-29.
Nitrous oxide	Hygienists may administer and/or monitor nitrous oxide after completing a Board-approved certification course and receiving Board certification. Administration requires direct supervision of a dentist. Source: publications.tnsosfiles.com, checked 2026-10-29.
Supervision and direct access	Hygienists practice only under direct and/or general supervision while employed by a licensed dentist. Source: publications.tnsosfiles.com, checked 2026-10-29.
Renewal	The renewal due date is the last day of the month in which the licensee's birthday falls. Source: publications.tnsosfiles.com, checked 2026-10-29.
Continuing education	30 hours of Board-approved continuing education per two calendar year cycle, with at least 2 hours on chemical dependency. Source: publications.tnsosfiles.com, checked 2026-10-29.
Background check	Applicants must have the result of a criminal background check sent to the Board directly from the vendor named in the application materials. Source: publications.tnsosfiles.com, checked 2026-10-29.

Rules and fees change. Confirm with Tennessee Board of Dentistry before you rely on them.

Licensed hygienists in Tennessee earn a median $40.69 an hour ($84,640 a year). See Tennessee pay by metro.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, all industries.

Hiring a dental hygienist in Tennessee?

Short on hygiene coverage for a day, a leave or for good? Send the details once. A dental staffing service or recruiter that covers your area follows up with you directly.

Temp days, ongoing part time, or a permanent hire
Takes about a minute
No obligation to hire

Need a dental hygienist?

Temp coverage or a permanent hire. Tell us about the opening and a staffing service or recruiter that covers your area follows up.

What do you need? Temp or fill-in days Permanent hire Either

Practice name Your name Phone Email Office ZIP code State When do you need someone? Days per week

Anything else? Optional

By submitting, you agree that we may share this request with a dental staffing service or recruiter that covers your area, and that they may call, text or email you about it. You also agree to our Terms of Use, including individual arbitration. Privacy policy

Are you a hygienist in Tennessee?

Tell us what you want, temp days or a permanent seat, and we pass your details to offices and staffing services hiring near you. Get matched