Colorado Dental Hygienist Requirements

If you want to become a dental hygienist in Colorado, you need to graduate from an accredited dental hygiene program. This typically involves earning an associate or bachelor’s degree from a CODA-accredited dental school. A majority of the time, these programs typically include a mix of general education, dental hygiene courses, and hands-on experience.

After graduating from a CODA-accredited dental school, you need to pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE), which shows your comprehensive knowledge of the dental hygiene profession. You also need to pass a regional clinical examination to demonstrate your practical skills and the Colorado Jurisprudence Examination to show your knowledge of laws and regulations.

Applying for a Colorado hygienist license is pretty simple. You must apply with the required documents, including transcripts, and proof of passing the national and regional dental exams. An application fee is also required for licensing.

Once you have successfully obtained your dental hygiene license, you need to renew it every two years. Currently, Colorado doesn’t require continuing education (CE) credits for dental hygienists to renew their licenses.

By following these steps, you’ll be on your way to becoming a licensed dental hygienist in Colorado.