How to Get Your Dental Hygienist License in Florida (2026)

How to Become a Registered Dental Hygienist in Florida

Florida is one of the largest states in the country for dental hygiene employment, and demand continues to grow alongside the state's expanding population, particularly its large retiree demographic, which generates above-average per-capita dental care needs. The Miami, Tampa, and Orlando metros each have strong job markets for RDHs, and bilingual (Spanish/English) hygienists are in especially high demand in South Florida.

Florida's licensure process is slightly more complex than most states due to a higher continuing education requirement and several mandatory CE topics that are unique to Florida law. Licensure is governed by the Florida Board of Dentistry under the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR).

Step 1: Complete an Accredited Dental Hygiene Program

You must graduate from a dental hygiene program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). Florida has numerous in-state options:

• University of Florida College of Dentistry (Gainesville), bachelor's and graduate programs
• Miami Dade College (Miami)
• Broward College (Fort Lauderdale)
• Daytona State College (Daytona Beach)
• Florida State College at Jacksonville
• Hillsborough Community College (Tampa)
• Palm Beach State College (Lake Worth)
• Santa Fe College (Gainesville)
• Pasco-Hernando State College (Wesley Chapel)

Both associate (AAS) and bachelor of science (BSDH) degree graduates are eligible for Florida licensure. CODA accreditation is mandatory, verify accreditation status on CODA's website before enrolling.

Step 2: Pass the NBDHE

The National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) is required by the Florida Board of Dentistry. The NBDHE is a thorough, computer-based exam administered by the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations (JCNDE) covering:

• Component A: Dental hygiene science, anatomy, pharmacology, periodontology, radiology, and public health
• Component B: Clinical patient case scenarios requiring clinical reasoning and treatment planning

Minimum passing score: 75. Most Florida candidates sit for the NBDHE during their final semester. With the concentration of dental hygiene programs in the state, test preparation resources and study groups are widely available through Florida programs and professional organizations including the Florida Dental Hygienists' Association (FDHA).

Step 3: Pass a Clinical Examination

Florida accepts the ADEX (American Board of Dental Examiners) dental hygiene clinical examination. ADEX is a patient-based clinical exam evaluating your proficiency in:

• Full periodontal assessment and charting
• Supragingival and subgingival scaling and root planing
• Radiographic positioning, technique, and evaluation
• Infection control and aseptic technique

ADEX testing sites are available in Florida, including at University of Florida and Miami Dade College. Schedule well in advance, spring testing slots at Florida sites fill quickly, especially for May graduates.

Florida does not currently accept WREB or CRDTS for initial dental hygienist licensure. Confirm the current list of accepted clinical exams with the DBPR at the time of application.

Step 4: Apply for Your State License

After obtaining passing scores on both the NBDHE and ADEX, apply to the Florida DBPR online. Key details for 2026:

• Regulatory body: Florida Board of Dentistry, Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR)
• Application fee: Approximately $100-$150 (verify the current fee at myfloridalicense.com)
• Required documents: Completed online application, official NBDHE score, official ADEX score report, official transcript from a CODA-accredited program, and criminal background check

Florida also requires passage of a Florida Laws and Rules Examination covering the Florida Dental Practice Act and DBPR regulations. This jurisprudence exam is typically taken online through a DBPR-approved provider and is required as part of the initial licensure process.

Note: Florida does not require separate local anesthesia certification for licensed dental hygienists; administration of local anesthesia is within the RDH scope of practice under dentist supervision.

Continuing Education Requirements

Florida has one of the most extensive continuing education requirements in the United States for dental hygienists: 30 CE hours per two-year renewal cycle, with multiple mandatory topic areas within that total:

These 7 mandatory hours must be completed every renewal cycle. The remaining 23 hours may be in any dental hygiene-related content area from ADA CERP or AGD PACE-approved providers (or other DBPR-approved sources).

Practical tips for Florida CE:

• Start accumulating CE early in your renewal cycle, do not wait until the final months
• The mandatory topics (HIV/AIDS, domestic violence, medical errors, HIPAA) are available from numerous Florida-approved online providers at low cost; complete them early to avoid last-minute scrambles
• Online CE generally counts for the full 30-hour requirement in Florida
• The FDHA (Florida Dental Hygienists' Association) and the Florida Dental Association both offer CE programs at their annual meetings
• Keep all CE certificates for at least five years and have them organized by category for renewal documentation

Florida Dental Hygienist Salary Ranges

Florida's dental hygienist salaries vary significantly by region:

• Miami-Dade / Broward / Palm Beach (South Florida): $72,000-$92,000/year for full-time RDHs, the highest salaries in the state, reflecting high cost of living and strong demand from a wealthy, aging patient population; bilingual (Spanish/English) hygienists command a premium and are often actively recruited
• Tampa / Hillsborough / Pinellas (Tampa Bay): $68,000-$84,000/year, strong market; large retiree population and growing suburban practices in Wesley Chapel, Brandon, and Clearwater corridors
• Orlando / Central Florida: $66,000-$82,000/year, strong growth driven by population expansion and tourist-area dental practices
• Jacksonville / Northeast Florida: $64,000-$78,000/year
• Southwest Florida (Naples, Fort Myers, Sarasota): $65,000-$80,000/year, retiree-heavy market with strong demand for restorative and periodontal hygiene services
• Rural North Florida / Panhandle: $58,000-$70,000/year, some HPSA-designated areas with NHSC eligibility
• Per-diem: $40-$60/hour statewide; South Florida and Tampa Bay at the top of that range

Spanish-language fluency in South Florida markets can translate to a meaningful salary premium, estimated at 5-10% above equivalent non-bilingual positions in Miami-Dade and Broward County practices with a high percentage of Spanish-speaking patients.

Top Employers for Dental Hygienists in Florida

• University of Florida College of Dentistry (Gainesville), academic dental clinic; also operates community-based dental programs
• Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine (Fort Lauderdale), large academic dental clinic and faculty practice
• Tampa General Hospital and BayCare Health System, major health systems with dental affiliates in the Tampa Bay area
• Miami Children's Health System / Nicklaus Children's Hospital, pediatric dental programs
• Community health centers and FQHCs throughout the state, including Borinquen Health Care Center (Miami), Sarasota Memorial Hospital, and numerous Panhandle CHCs eligible for NHSC loan repayment
• Aspen Dental, Heartland Dental, Pacific Dental Services, Western Dental, Tend, major DSO group practices with significant Florida footprints
• Dental Care Alliance, one of the largest DSOs headquartered in Florida, with practices throughout the state
• Private general and specialty practices across all major Florida metros, the largest single employer category for Florida RDHs