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

## How to Become a Registered Dental Hygienist in Louisiana Louisiana's dental hygiene job market is anchored by New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport, and Lafayette — each supporting a mix of private practice, DSO, community health, and hospital-affiliated dental settings. The state's licensure process is administered by the Louisiana State Board of Dentistry and is straightforward once you understand the required examination sequence. ### Step 1: Complete an Accredited Dental Hygiene Program Louisiana requires graduation from a CODA-accredited dental hygiene program. In-state options include Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center (New Orleans), Delgado Community College (New Orleans), Bossier Parish Community College (Bossier City), and Southern University at Shreveport. These programs combine didactic coursework — periodontology, dental radiography, pharmacology, nutrition, and dental public health — with supervised clinical practice and community health rotations. Two-year AAS programs are the standard entry pathway. LSU Health also offers a BS completion path for credentialed hygienists seeking advanced roles. ### Step 2: Pass the NBDHE All Louisiana RDH applicants must pass the NBDHE. The 350-question examination is administered by the JCNDE and costs approximately **$450**. The Louisiana State Board of Dentistry requires scores submitted directly from JCNDE — self-reported scores are not accepted. There is no separate Louisiana state written examination. ### Step 3: Pass a Clinical Examination Louisiana accepts the **ADEX** (American Board of Dental Examiners) dental hygiene clinical examination. ADEX evaluates live-patient periodontal assessment, instrumentation, radiographs, and patient education. Testing sites operate at dental schools throughout the South and Southeast. Louisiana does not currently accept CRDTS scores. Verify the current accepted-exam list with the LSBD before scheduling your board exam, as accepted examinations can change. ### Step 4: Apply for Your State License The **Louisiana State Board of Dentistry (LSBD)** processes all dental hygienist license applications. Submit your application by mail or through the LSBD portal: 1. Completed application form 2. NBDHE passing score (transmitted by JCNDE) 3. ADEX passing score (transmitted by ADEX) 4. Official dental hygiene program transcript 5. Application fee of approximately **$75–$125** 6. Current CPR/BLS certification 7. Criminal background disclosure Louisiana requires applicants to complete a Louisiana Dental Jurisprudence Examination, which tests knowledge of the Louisiana Dental Practice Act. This computer-based test covers scope of practice, supervision requirements, and patient record obligations. It is taken separately from the NBDHE and must be passed before your license is issued. Allow additional time for scheduling the jurisprudence exam. ### Continuing Education Requirements Louisiana RDHs must complete **24 hours of continuing education every two years**, which includes mandatory topic requirements. Required areas include: - Infection control (minimum 4 hours per cycle) - HIPAA privacy compliance - Board-mandated ethics content (1 hour) The Louisiana Dental Hygienists' Association annual conference typically delivers a large portion of required hours in one event. Online CE from ADA CERP- and AGD PACE-approved providers is fully accepted for non-mandatory hours. Retain CE documentation for at least five years — the LSBD audits compliance at renewal. ### Louisiana Dental Hygienist Salary Ranges Louisiana hygienist wages reflect the state's lower cost of living and competitive private practice market: | Setting | Typical Annual Range | |---|---| | Private practice (New Orleans metro) | $60,000 – $82,000 | | Private practice (Baton Rouge / Shreveport) | $56,000 – $76,000 | | Corporate DSO | $54,000 – $72,000 | | FQHC / community health | $52,000 – $68,000 | | Hospital / academic medical center | $58,000 – $76,000 | New Orleans metro practices — particularly specialty and cosmetic offices — tend to pay at the higher end of the state range, reflecting the competitive urban labor market and tourism-driven premium service segment. ### Top Employers for Dental Hygienists in Louisiana - **Aspen Dental** — New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Metairie, Kenner, and Alexandria locations - **Heartland Dental** — supported practices across the New Orleans and Baton Rouge markets - **LSU Health New Orleans** — faculty and clinical staff positions within the academic medical center - **CrescentCare** — New Orleans FQHC with dental services, NHSC loan repayment eligible - **Ochsner Health System** — Louisiana's largest health system, with dental access programs - **Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System** — federal employment, New Orleans - **Tulane Medical Center Dental Clinics** — academic affiliation, research exposure - **Private solo and group practices** — the overwhelming majority of Louisiana hygienist employment, particularly in the New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport, and Lafayette markets