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

## How to Become a Registered Dental Hygienist in Iowa Iowa's dental hygiene market is shaped by two realities: strong demand in its urban corridors (Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Davenport) and persistent shortages in its rural communities, many of which carry federal Dental Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) designations. For new RDHs, that combination means reliable placement and meaningful work wherever you choose to practice. ### Step 1: Complete an Accredited Dental Hygiene Program Iowa requires graduation from a CODA-accredited dental hygiene program. Iowa programs include Hawkeye Community College (Waterloo), Iowa Western Community College (Council Bluffs), and Kirkwood Community College (Cedar Rapids). University of Iowa's College of Dentistry offers a four-year BS program and serves as the flagship training institution in the state. Two-year AAS programs are the most common entry route. Curriculum must include clinical rotations, radiology, periodontics, local anesthesia, and patient education — all tested on the clinical and national board examinations. ### Step 2: Pass the NBDHE All Iowa RDH applicants must pass the NBDHE (350 questions, approximately **$450** fee). The exam is administered by the JCNDE and is computer-based. Official passing scores must be transmitted directly from JCNDE to the Iowa Dental Board; the Board will not process applications with self-reported scores. ### Step 3: Pass a Clinical Examination Iowa accepts scores from: - **CRDTS** — Central Regional Dental Testing Service - **ADEX** — American Board of Dental Examiners Dental Hygiene Exam CRDTS is particularly popular among Iowa graduates given the proximity of testing sites at Midwestern dental schools. Both exams evaluate live-patient periodontal instrumentation, radiographs, and patient education components. Plan to take your clinical exam during your final clinical semester — waiting until after graduation extends your total timeline to licensure. ### Step 4: Apply for Your State License The **Iowa Dental Board** processes all RDH licensing applications. Submit through the Iowa Professional Licensing Bureau portal: 1. Completed application 2. NBDHE passing score (transmitted by JCNDE) 3. Clinical exam passing score (CRDTS or ADEX, transmitted by agency) 4. Official dental hygiene program transcript 5. Application fee of approximately **$60–$100** 6. Current CPR/BLS certification 7. Background check (Iowa requires a criminal history disclosure) Iowa does not require a separate written jurisprudence exam, but familiarity with the Iowa Dental Practice Act is assumed. Processing time is typically four to eight weeks for complete applications. ### Continuing Education Requirements Iowa RDHs must complete **30 hours of continuing education every two years** — one of the higher per-cycle requirements in the Midwest. Mandatory topics include: - Infection control (at least 2 hours per cycle) - Cardiopulmonary resuscitation remains current (BLS card must not lapse) The Iowa Dental Hygienists' Association hosts an annual symposium that typically bundles eight to twelve approved CE hours. Online courses from ADA CERP- or AGD PACE-accredited providers count toward the 30-hour total. Documentation must be retained for five years and produced on audit request. ### Iowa Dental Hygienist Salary Ranges Iowa wages reflect the state's rural-urban divide: | Setting | Typical Annual Range | |---|---| | Private practice (Des Moines metro) | $60,000 – $80,000 | | Private practice (rural Iowa) | $52,000 – $68,000 | | Corporate DSO | $56,000 – $74,000 | | FQHC / community health | $55,000 – $70,000 | | Public health / school program | $50,000 – $65,000 | Rural practices frequently offer four-day workweeks, production bonuses, and occasionally NHSC loan repayment through HRSA shortage-area designations — a meaningful sweetener for new graduates carrying student debt. ### Top Employers for Dental Hygienists in Iowa - **Aspen Dental** — growing network in Des Moines, Iowa City, and Davenport - **Heartland Dental** — supported practices in central and eastern Iowa - **UnityPoint Health** — integrated dental access programs across multiple Iowa hospital campuses - **Community Health Centers of Southeastern Iowa** — FQHC with NHSC loan repayment eligibility - **Primary Health Care** — Des Moines-area FQHC network with dental clinics - **Iowa City VA Health Care System** — federal employment with full benefits - **University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics** — faculty and staff clinical positions - **Private solo and group practices** — the backbone of dental hygiene employment in Iowa, spanning Des Moines suburbs, Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, and smaller agricultural communities throughout the state