Dental Hygienist in Indiana

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for IN

Median Salary
$90,290
Indiana (2024)
National Median
$94,260
All states
License Fees
$515
Exam + application
Time to Complete
2 years
From start to licensed

How to Become a Dental Hygienist in Indiana

To become a licensed Dental Hygienist in Indiana, applicants must graduate from a CODA-accredited dental hygiene program and pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE), a regional clinical exam (such as ADEX, CRDTS, or WREB), and the Indiana Jurisprudence Exam. A criminal background check and current CPR certification are also required. Indiana offers reciprocity for dental hygienists licensed in other states with equivalent requirements and satisfactory practice experience.

Dental Hygienist Requirements in Indiana

DetailIndiana
Licensing BodyIndiana State Board of Dentistry
State License Required Yes
EducationAssociate degree in Dental Hygiene from a CODA-accredited program
Exam National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE), a regional clinical exam (ADEX, CRDTS, WREB, SRTA, CITA), and the Indiana Jurisprudence Exam ($415)
Application Fee$100
RenewalEvery 2.0 years
Continuing Education19.0 hours per cycle
NotesCPR certification required. Two hours of CE must be in ethics, professional responsibility, and Indiana law. A criminal background check is required. There is no minimum age specified. Half of all CE hours must be live presentations or workshops. Foreign-trained dentists may be eligible for licensure as dental hygienists in Indiana by meeting specific requirements, including academic transcript review and passing required board examinations.

Source: Indiana State Board of Dentistry

Dental Hygienist Salary in Indiana

The median dental hygienist salary in Indiana is $90,290 per year, which is 4.2% below the national median of $94,260.

PercentileAnnual Salary
10th (entry level)$63,200
25th$80,550
50th (median)$90,290
75th$96,330
90th (experienced)$101,470

Indiana employs approximately 5,110 dental hygienists.

Dental Hygienist Job Outlook

10-Year Growth
+7.0%
Faster than average
Annual Openings
15.3
Nationwide per year
Total Employment
221.6
Nationwide

Is Becoming a Dental Hygienist in Indiana Worth It?

Factors to consider: Indiana's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, strong job growth, and your personal career goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the steps to becoming a dental hygienist in Indiana?
In Indiana, becoming a dental hygienist requires you to complete the required education (Associate degree in Dental Hygiene from a CODA-accredited program), pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE), a regional clinical exam (ADEX, CRDTS, WREB, SRTA, CITA), and the Indiana Jurisprudence Exam, and submit your application ($100 fee).
Does Indiana require dental hygienist licensure?
Indiana mandates state licensure for dental hygienists. Indiana State Board of Dentistry oversees the process, which includes passing the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE), a regional clinical exam (ADEX, CRDTS, WREB, SRTA, CITA), and the Indiana Jurisprudence Exam.
How much does a dental hygienist make in Indiana?
Indiana dental hygienists bring home a median salary of $90,290. This is close to the national median of $94,260. Entry-level (10th percentile) starts at $63,200, while experienced professionals (90th percentile) earn $101,470.
What are the fees to become a dental hygienist in Indiana?
The full cost to enter the field runs about varies, factoring in exam fee ($415) and application fee ($100) and required training.
What's the timeline to become a dental hygienist in Indiana?
In Indiana, becoming a dental hygienist generally takes 2 years, accounting for education requirements, hands-on training, and the exam process.
How many CE hours do dental hygienists need in Indiana?
Indiana requires 19.0 hours of continuing education every 2.0 years to maintain your dental hygienist license.

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