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National Dental Hygiene Certification Examination™ — Information & Free Practice

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About National Dental Hygiene Certification Examination™

National Dental Hygiene Certification Examination™ · CA

Key exam facts

Provider
Federation of Dental Hygiene Regulators of Canada (FDHRC) administers and develops the NDHCE; Meazure Learning is the contracted exam administrator.
Format
Computer-based multiple-choice examination with four options per item, using independent and case-based items.
Exam questions
Total questions: 200; Scored questions: 170; Unscored questions: 30; The total includes the scored and unscored questions.
Time limit
Four hours of examination time, divided into two 100-question sections with two hours for each section.
Passing score
The NDHCE Panel sets the passing standard; the scaled score range is 200–800 and the typical passing score is around 550. Candidates receive pass/fail rather than a specific score.
Exam fee
The 2026 fee schedule lists a registration fee of $850 plus applicable tax for registrations for September 2026 examinations onwards, including a $62 non-refundable fee plus tax; late registration incurs an additional $150 plus tax where available.

Topics covered

The authority publishes percentage ranges for each content area. The practice percentages below use the midpoint of each range, normalized to 100%; they are not exact percentages published by the authority. Practice question counts may differ slightly because of rounding.

  • Professionalism — Official range: 5–11% (Practice allocation: 8%)

    • Exhibit professional behaviour
    • Demonstrate a commitment to serving society
    • Integrate professional responsibilities into practice
    • Demonstrate a commitment to lifelong learning

  • Evidence-informed Practice — Official range: 2–8% (Practice allocation: 5%)

    • Demonstrate critical thinking, problem-solving, and reasoning skills
    • Apply an evidence-informed approach to decision-making
    • Use various methods of inquiry

  • Communication — Official range: 2–8% (Practice allocation: 5%)

    • Demonstrate effective oral and non-verbal communication
    • Use written communication effectively

  • Collaboration — Official range: 11–17% (Practice allocation: 14%)

    • Collaborate with people accessing dental hygiene services
    • Collaborate with oral health professionals and others

  • Practice Management — Official range: 5–11% (Practice allocation: 8%)

    • Fulfill administrative responsibilities
    • Integrate legislative and professional responsibilities within organizational policies
    • Engage in entrepreneurial activities

  • Prevention, Education, and Health Promotion — Official range: 17–23% (Practice allocation: 20%)

    • Lead the development of health literacy and oral self-care abilities
    • Engage in prevention, education, and health promotion activities
    • Engage in advocacy to address oral health inequities

  • Clinical Therapy — Official range: 37–43% (Practice allocation: 40%)

    • Assess oral and general health status
    • Formulate a dental hygiene diagnosis
    • Create a dental hygiene care plan
    • Implement the dental hygiene care plan
    • Evaluate effectiveness of dental hygiene care

How to prepare

Work through the topics, read the explanation after each answer, and revisit the areas where you miss questions. Use the official outline and reference materials below to guide your study.

These independent practice questions are not actual exam items and do not guarantee a passing result.

Frequently asked questions

What is the exam format?

Computer-based multiple-choice examination with four options per item, using independent and case-based items.

How many questions are on the exam?

Total questions: 200; Scored questions: 170; Unscored questions: 30; The total includes the scored and unscored questions.

How long is the exam?

Four hours of examination time, divided into two 100-question sections with two hours for each section.

What is the passing score?

The NDHCE Panel sets the passing standard; the scaled score range is 200–800 and the typical passing score is around 550. Candidates receive pass/fail rather than a specific score.

How much does the exam cost?

The 2026 fee schedule lists a registration fee of $850 plus applicable tax for registrations for September 2026 examinations onwards, including a $62 non-refundable fee plus tax; late registration incurs an additional $150 plus tax where available.

Official sources and references

Confirm current exam arrangements with the exam provider.