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

## How to Become a Registered Dental Hygienist in Kentucky Kentucky presents one of the most compelling cases for dental hygienist practice in the South. The state's Appalachian region carries some of the highest rates of untreated dental disease in the nation, and organizations ranging from FQHCs to mobile dental units are actively expanding access — creating consistent demand for licensed hygienists willing to work in shortage-area settings. ### Step 1: Complete an Accredited Dental Hygiene Program Graduation from a CODA-accredited program is required. Kentucky's options include the University of Louisville School of Dentistry (Louisville), Eastern Kentucky University (Richmond), Western Kentucky University (Bowling Green), and Hazard Community and Technical College (Hazard — a particularly strategic location given Eastern Kentucky's shortage context). Two-year AAS degrees are the standard entry-level pathway. The UofL program offers a BS in Dental Hygiene for those interested in public health, education, or corporate practice settings. Choose a program with community health clinical rotations if you intend to practice in Eastern Kentucky or pursue NHSC loan repayment. ### Step 2: Pass the NBDHE The NBDHE (350 questions, approximately **$450** fee) is required of all Kentucky RDH applicants. Score reporting must come directly from JCNDE to the Kentucky Board of Dentistry — the Board will not accept scores supplied by the applicant. Most graduates sit for the exam in the spring of their graduating year. ### Step 3: Pass a Clinical Examination Kentucky accepts scores from both: - **ADEX** — American Board of Dental Examiners Dental Hygiene Exam - **CRDTS** — Central Regional Dental Testing Service Both exams assess live-patient clinical competency: periodontal assessment, scaling and root planing, radiographs, and patient education. Select your testing site and register early, especially for spring testing windows when graduating cohorts fill seats quickly. Scores must be transmitted by the testing agency directly to the Kentucky Board of Dentistry. ### Step 4: Apply for Your State License The **Kentucky Board of Dentistry** licenses dental hygienists. Submit your application through the Board's website with: 1. Completed application form 2. NBDHE passing score (transmitted by JCNDE) 3. Clinical exam passing score (ADEX or CRDTS, transmitted by agency) 4. Official dental hygiene program transcript 5. Application fee of approximately **$50–$75** 6. Current CPR/BLS certification 7. Disclosure of any prior disciplinary actions or criminal history Kentucky does not require a separate jurisprudence examination at initial licensure, but the Kentucky Dental Practice Act governs all supervision requirements, expanded functions, and scope of practice issues. Familiarity with these rules is assumed. Processing time is generally four to eight weeks for a complete application. ### Continuing Education Requirements Kentucky has one of the lowest CE requirements of any state: **15 hours of continuing education every two years**. Despite the low floor, the Kentucky Board of Dentistry recommends that hygienists include: - Infection control/OSHA standards - CPR/BLS recertification (which does not count toward CE hours but must remain current) Approved CE providers include the Kentucky Dental Hygienists' Association, ADHA-affiliated courses, and any ADA CERP- or AGD PACE-accredited program. Online CE is fully accepted. Retain documentation for at least three years. ### Kentucky Dental Hygienist Salary Ranges Kentucky wages are lower than the national median but reflect a cost of living that ranks among the lowest in the country: | Setting | Typical Annual Range | |---|---| | Private practice (Louisville / Lexington) | $58,000 – $80,000 | | Private practice (Eastern Kentucky) | $50,000 – $65,000 | | Corporate DSO | $54,000 – $72,000 | | FQHC / community health | $52,000 – $68,000 | | VA / federal setting | $58,000 – $74,000 | Eastern Kentucky HPSA-designated positions with NHSC loan repayment can add $25,000–$50,000 in debt relief, making the effective compensation substantially higher than base wages suggest. ### Top Employers for Dental Hygienists in Kentucky - **Aspen Dental** — locations in Louisville, Lexington, Bowling Green, and Elizabethtown - **Heartland Dental** — supported practices in the Louisville and Lexington metro areas - **Appalachian Regional Healthcare** — hospital system with dental access clinics across Eastern Kentucky - **Mountain Comprehensive Health Corporation** — FQHC network in Perry County, NHSC loan repayment eligible - **Seven Counties Services** — integrated health in Louisville metro - **Robley Rex VA Medical Center (Louisville)** — federal employment, full federal benefits - **University of Louisville Health** — academic medical center with dental integration - **Private solo and group practices** — the largest share of RDH employment in Kentucky, concentrated in Louisville, Lexington, Bowling Green, and Florence