Dental Hygienist in Washington
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for WA
How to Become a Dental Hygienist in Washington
To become a licensed Dental Hygienist in Washington, you must graduate from a CODA-accredited dental hygiene program and successfully complete the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE), a regional clinical exam (WREB, CRDTS, or ADEX), and the Washington State Dental Hygiene Drug and Law Examination. The licensing body is the Washington State Dental Quality Assurance Commission. There are also continuing education requirements, including a one-time suicide prevention training and regular health equity training. Washington is part of the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact (DDH), which aims to facilitate reciprocity with other participating states.
Dental Hygienist Requirements in Washington
| Detail | Washington |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Washington State Dental Quality Assurance Commission |
| State License Required | Yes |
| Education | Associate degree in Dental Hygiene from a CODA-accredited program |
| Exam | National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE), a regional clinical exam (WREB, CRDTS, ADEX), and the Washington State Dental Hygiene Drug and Law Examination ($600) |
| Application Fee | $500 |
| Renewal | Every 1.0 year |
| Continuing Education | 15.0 hours per cycle |
| Notes | Requires 7 hours of AIDS education and training (this information was not found in the search results and may be outdated). A one-time, three-hour suicide prevention continuing education training is required. Beginning January 1, 2024, licensed dental hygienists must complete two hours of health equity CE every four years. Renewal is annual on the licensee's birthday. Applicants must complete expanded function education in anesthesia, nitrous oxide, and restorative through their ADA CODA-accredited dental hygiene program or a Secretary of Health-approved program. A current Basic Life Support (BLS) for healthcare providers certification is required for renewal. The WREB exam is no longer offered as of December 31, 2022, but scores prior to this date may be accepted. The ADEX Dental Hygiene Examination series consists of a computer-based simulation exam and a clinical simulated patient (manikin) based examination. The CRDTS Dental Hygiene Simulated Patient Examination is also accepted if passed after October 8, 2021. The Washington State Dental Hygiene Drug and Law Examination is a non-proctored online exam. |
Source: Washington State Dental Quality Assurance Commission
Dental Hygienist Salary in Washington
The median dental hygienist salary in Washington is $125,370 per year, which is 33.0% above the national median of $94,260.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $100,800 |
| 25th | $106,800 |
| 50th (median) | $125,370 |
| 75th | $132,830 |
| 90th (experienced) | $159,470 |
Washington employs approximately 5,140 dental hygienists.
Dental Hygienist Job Outlook
Is Becoming a Dental Hygienist in Washington Worth It?
Factors to consider: Washington's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, strong job growth, and your personal career goals.