OpenExamsFREE PRACTICE — ANY EXAM

Alaska Dental Hygiene — Requirements & Free Practice

US-AK · License preparation

419 free questions · Answer explanations · No signup required

Choose what to practice

Start with an exam below. Your examination requirements depend on your application pathway. View licensing requirements

Combined practice

Loading selected examination banks…

Licenses, application pathways and examination requirements

Each license and applicant pathway has its own requirements and exemptions. Choosing practice questions does not determine your eligibility.

advanced practice permit

Permit the board may issue to a licensed dental hygienist with a minimum of 4,000 documented hours of clinical experience.

Licensing authority: Alaska Board of Dental Examiners · Application information

Advanced practice permit (AS 08.32.125; 12 AAC 28.936)
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Discipline
No adverse disciplinary action during the five years before application (12 AAC 28.936(d)).
Experience
At least 4,000 hours of clinical experience during the five years before application (12 AAC 28.936(a)(3)).
Insurance And CE
Current CPR certification, professional liability policy, and four contact hours of continuing education in listed subjects (12 AAC 28.936(a)(4)-(6)).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

courtesy license

Limited-purpose license for a nonresident to practice dental hygiene, with scope and duration specified by the board.

Licensing authority: Board of Dental Examiners · Application information

Courtesy license for a limited purpose (12 AAC 28.955)
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
License Elsewhere
Current dental hygiene license in good standing in a jurisdiction with requirements at least equivalent to Alaska, not under investigation (12 AAC 28.955(c)(3)).
Limited Purpose
Practice for underserved persons under a written contract with a non-profit organization, charitable organization or governmental agency (12 AAC 28.955(b)).
Limits
Nonrenewable; at most 40 days of practice in 12 consecutive months or the approved purpose, whichever is less; general supervision of an Alaska-licensed dentist (12 AAC 28.955(d), (f)).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Dental Hygiene License

License required to practice dental hygiene in Alaska under AS 08.32.010, issued by examination (12 AAC 28.935) or by credentials (AS 08.32.030, 12 AAC 28.937).

Licensing authority: Alaska Board of Dental Examiners · Application information

License by credentials (AS 08.32.030; 12 AAC 28.937)
Clinical Examination
A certificate showing passage of a state or regional dental hygiene clinical examination approved by the board (AS 08.32.014(a)(1)(C); 12 AAC 28.937(b)(8)). Form 08-0075 names "WREB or equivalent"; WREB merged into CDCA-WREB-CITA, which delivers only ADEX examinations, so the WREB examination is no longer offered, and no Alaska official source obtained names a currently offered clinical examination the board approves.
Continued Competence
Proof of continued competence as specified by board regulation (AS 08.32.030(2)); affidavit of dates and locations of dental hygiene practice during the five years before application (12 AAC 28.937(b)(11)(A)).
Cpr Certification
Current CPR certification based on training equivalent to an American Heart Association or American Red Cross course; online courses only with a hands-on component (12 AAC 28.920).
Current License Elsewhere
Currently licensed to practice dental hygiene in another state or territory of the United States (AS 08.32.030(3)); form 08-0075 directs applicants licensed more than 5 years to this route.
Education
Successful completion of a dental hygiene program of at least two years that is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation at graduation and approved by the board, shown by an official transcript sent directly by the school (AS 08.32.014(a)(1)(A); 12 AAC 28.935(b)(9), 28.937(c)(4)).
Ethics Statement
Signed statement certifying adherence to the ADHA Code of Ethics for Dental Hygienists adopted by 12 AAC 28.905(a) (12 AAC 28.908(a)).
Examination Waiver Statute
AS 08.32.030 permits the board to license "without examination"; the board's rule 12 AAC 28.937(b)(7)-(8) and (d) exercises that permission by requiring the written theory and clinical examination certificates and the Alaska jurisprudence examination (passing score at least 70 percent).
Fitness And Discipline
No revoked, suspended or surrendered dental hygiene license; no disqualifying adverse or unresolved disciplinary, NPDB or AADB Clearinghouse report; not impaired; no disqualifying conviction (AS 08.32.014(a)(1)(D)-(I)); impairment affidavit and release of records.
Interview
The board or its designee may interview the applicant in person (AS 08.32.014(b)).
Licensure Verification
Verification of status and disciplinary information sent directly from every jurisdiction where a dental hygiene license is or was held, and from each federal agency that employed the applicant as a dental hygienist (12 AAC 28.937(c)(1)-(2)).
Written Theory Examination Alternative
AS 08.32.014(a)(1)(B) accepts, instead of the Joint Commission written theory examination (NBDHE), an equivalent examination approved by the board.
License by examination (12 AAC 28.935; form 08 0075 Examination Level III and Level II)
Application Level
Form 08-0075: Examination Level III is for applicants licensed 0-90 days; Examination Level II is for applicants licensed 90 days to 5 years. Under 12 AAC 28.935(e) an applicant who has held a dental hygiene license anywhere before the 90 days preceding application must have every licensing jurisdiction send verification of status and disciplinary information directly to the department.
Clinical Examination
Within the five years before application, pass a patient or mannequin based dental hygiene clinical examination approved by the board that requires calibration of examiners and anonymity between candidates and grading examiners and covers extraoral and intraoral assessment, radiographic evaluation, periodontal assessment, subgingival calculus detection and removal, and tissue management (AS 08.32.014(a)(1)(C); 12 AAC 28.935(b)(7)). Form 08-0075 names the Western Regional Examining Board (WREB) exam "or equivalent"; WREB merged into CDCA-WREB-CITA, which delivers only ADEX examinations, so the WREB examination is no longer offered, and no Alaska official source obtained names a currently offered clinical examination the board approves. The applicant must confirm with the board which clinical examination it accepts as equivalent.
Cpr Certification
Current CPR certification based on training equivalent to an American Heart Association or American Red Cross course; online courses only with a hands-on component (12 AAC 28.920).
Education
Successful completion of a dental hygiene program of at least two years that is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation at graduation and approved by the board, shown by an official transcript sent directly by the school (AS 08.32.014(a)(1)(A); 12 AAC 28.935(b)(9), 28.937(c)(4)).
Ethics Statement
Signed statement certifying adherence to the ADHA Code of Ethics for Dental Hygienists adopted by 12 AAC 28.905(a) (12 AAC 28.908(a)).
Fitness And Discipline
No revoked, suspended or surrendered dental hygiene license; no disqualifying adverse or unresolved disciplinary, NPDB or AADB Clearinghouse report; not impaired; no disqualifying conviction (AS 08.32.014(a)(1)(D)-(I)); impairment affidavit and release of records.
Interview
The board or its designee may interview the applicant in person (AS 08.32.014(b)).
Jurisprudence Delivery
The Alaska jurisprudence examination is sent to the applicant by the division after the initial review of the application; passing score at least 70 percent (12 AAC 28.935(c)).
Written Theory Examination Alternative
AS 08.32.014(a)(1)(B) accepts, instead of the Joint Commission written theory examination (NBDHE), an equivalent examination approved by the board.
Reinstatement of a license lapsed at least 60 days but less than one year (12 AAC 28.925(a))
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Lapse Period
License lapsed at least 60 days but less than one year (12 AAC 28.925(a)).
Requirements
Completed renewal application, renewal fee, and documentation of the continuing education required by 12 AAC 28.400 (12 AAC 28.925(a)(1)-(3)).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

License renewal (AS 08.32.071; 12 AAC 28.400(b))
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing Education
At least 20 contact hours of continuing education and current CPR certification meeting 12 AAC 28.920 (12 AAC 28.400(b)).
Renewal Form
Completed renewal form and renewal fee (AS 08.32.071).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Certification to Administer Local Anesthetic Agents

Board certification under AS 08.32.110(a)(1)(G) and 12 AAC 28.320 allowing an Alaska-licensed dental hygienist to administer local anesthetic agents.

Licensing authority: Board of Dental Examiners · Application information

Local anesthetic certification by experience for a hygienist certified in another jurisdiction (12 AAC 28.320(b))
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Course
Board-approved accredited course in the administration of local anesthetics (12 AAC 28.320(a)(3)).
Experience
Administered local anesthetic agents at least an average of once per week during the two years before application (12 AAC 28.320(b)(2)).
Other Jurisdiction Certification
Current, good-standing license or certification in another jurisdiction to administer local anesthetic agents (12 AAC 28.320(b)(1)).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Certification to Administer Nitrous Oxide Sedation

Certification under 12 AAC 28.325 allowing an Alaska-licensed dental hygienist to administer nitrous oxide sedation under direct or indirect supervision.

Licensing authority: Board of Dental Examiners · Application information

Nitrous oxide sedation certification (12 AAC 28.325)
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Course
Board-approved accredited course in the administration of nitrous oxide meeting 12 AAC 28.345 (12 AAC 28.325(3)).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Restorative Function License Endorsement

Restorative function endorsement allowing a licensed dental hygienist, under a licensed dentist's direct supervision, to place restorations in dentist-prepared cavities and carve, contour, and adjust their contacts and occlusion.

Licensing authority: Alaska Board of Dental Examiners · Application information

Restorative function endorsement for a hygienist permitted in another state or U.S. territory to perform restorative functions (AS 08.32.085(a)(2); 12 AAC 28.750(b)(4)(A))
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Course
Completion of a CODA-accredited restorative function program or a board-approved course (AS 08.32.085(a)(1); 12 AAC 28.750(b)(3)).
Other State Authorization
Licensed, certified or otherwise permitted in another state or U.S. territory to perform restorative functions (AS 08.32.085(a)(2)).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Temporary Military Courtesy License

Temporary 180-day license under AS 08.01.063 and 12 AAC 28.958 for an active duty service member or spouse assigned to a duty station in Alaska who holds a current dental hygiene license elsewhere.

Licensing authority: Board of Dental Examiners

Temporary military courtesy license (AS 08.01.063; 12 AAC 28.958)
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Education
Graduation from a CODA-accredited program (12 AAC 28.958(b)(5)).
License Elsewhere
Current dental hygiene license from a state or territory board with substantially equivalent requirements (AS 08.01.063(a)(2); 12 AAC 28.958(b)(4)).
Military Status
Active duty member of the U.S. armed forces, or spouse of one, with orders assigning the member to a duty station in Alaska (AS 08.01.063(a)(1); 12 AAC 28.958(b)(3)).
Term
180 days, renewable once for 180 days at the board's discretion (12 AAC 28.958(c)).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Alaska jurisprudence examination

Provider
Alaska Board of Dental Examiners
Format
Written jurisprudence examination sent to the applicant after the initial review of the application
Passing score
At least 70 percent
Examination outline
  • AS 08.32 Dental Hygienists and Assistants
  • AS 08.36 Dentistry
  • 12 AAC 28 Board of Dental Examiners
Examination sources

National Board Dental Hygiene Examination

Examination outline
  • Discipline-Based Component — Scientific Basis for Dental Hygiene Practice (61 items)
    • Anatomic Sciences
    • Anatomic Sciences — Anatomy
    • Anatomic Sciences — Anatomy — Head and neck anatomy
    • Anatomic Sciences — Anatomy — Dental anatomy
    • Anatomic Sciences — Anatomy — Dental anatomy — General anatomy
    • Anatomic Sciences — Anatomy — Dental anatomy — Root anatomy
    • Anatomic Sciences — Anatomy — Histology and Embryology
    • Anatomic Sciences — Physiology
    • Anatomic Sciences — Biochemistry and Nutrition
    • Anatomic Sciences — Microbiology and Immunology
    • Anatomic Sciences — Pathology
    • Anatomic Sciences — Pathology — General
    • Anatomic Sciences — Pathology — Oral
    • Anatomic Sciences — Pharmacology
  • Discipline-Based Component — Provision of Clinical Dental Hygiene Services (115 items)
    • Assessing Patient Characteristics
    • Assessing Patient Characteristics — Medical and dental history
    • Assessing Patient Characteristics — Head and neck examination
    • Assessing Patient Characteristics — Periodontal evaluation
    • Assessing Patient Characteristics — Oral evaluation
    • Assessing Patient Characteristics — General
    • Obtaining and Interpreting Radiographs
    • Obtaining and Interpreting Radiographs — Principles of radiophysics and radiobiology
    • Obtaining and Interpreting Radiographs — Principles of radiologic health
    • Obtaining and Interpreting Radiographs — Technique
    • Obtaining and Interpreting Radiographs — Recognition of normalities and abnormalities
    • Obtaining and Interpreting Radiographs — General
    • Planning and Managing Dental Hygiene Care
    • Planning and Managing Dental Hygiene Care — Infection control (application)
    • Planning and Managing Dental Hygiene Care — Recognition of emergency situations and provision of appropriate care
    • Planning and Managing Dental Hygiene Care — Individualized patient education
    • Planning and Managing Dental Hygiene Care — Individualized patient education — Planning of individualized instruction
    • Planning and Managing Dental Hygiene Care — Individualized patient education — Provision of instruction for prevention and management of oral diseases
    • Planning and Managing Dental Hygiene Care — Individualized patient education — Provision of instruction for prevention and management of oral diseases — Dental caries
    • Planning and Managing Dental Hygiene Care — Individualized patient education — Provision of instruction for prevention and management of oral diseases — Periodontal disease
    • Planning and Managing Dental Hygiene Care — Individualized patient education — Provision of instruction for prevention and management of oral diseases — Oral conditions
    • Planning and Managing Dental Hygiene Care — Individualized patient education — Anxiety and pain control
    • Planning and Managing Dental Hygiene Care — Individualized patient education — Recognition and management of compromised patients
    • Planning and Managing Dental Hygiene Care — Individualized patient education — Dental hygiene treatment strategies
    • Planning and Managing Dental Hygiene Care — Individualized patient education — Dental hygiene treatment strategies — Diagnosis
    • Planning and Managing Dental Hygiene Care — Individualized patient education — Dental hygiene treatment strategies — Treatment plan
    • Planning and Managing Dental Hygiene Care — Individualized patient education — Dental hygiene treatment strategies — Case presentation
    • Planning and Managing Dental Hygiene Care — Individualized patient education — General
    • Performing Periodontal Procedures
    • Performing Periodontal Procedures — Etiology and pathogenesis of periodontal diseases
    • Performing Periodontal Procedures — Prescribed therapy
    • Performing Periodontal Procedures — Prescribed therapy — Periodontal debridement
    • Performing Periodontal Procedures — Prescribed therapy — Surgical support services
    • Performing Periodontal Procedures — Prescribed therapy — Chemotherapeutic agents
    • Performing Periodontal Procedures — Prescribed therapy — General
    • Performing Periodontal Procedures — Reassessment and maintenance (e.g., implant care)
    • Using Preventive Agents
    • Using Preventive Agents — Fluorides - systemic and topical
    • Using Preventive Agents — Fluorides - systemic and topical — Mechanisms of action
    • Using Preventive Agents — Fluorides - systemic and topical — Toxicology
    • Using Preventive Agents — Fluorides - systemic and topical — Methods of administration
    • Using Preventive Agents — Fluorides - systemic and topical — Methods of administration — Water fluoridation
    • Using Preventive Agents — Fluorides - systemic and topical — Methods of administration — Self-administered
    • Using Preventive Agents — Pit and fissure sealants
    • Using Preventive Agents — Other preventive agents
    • Providing Supportive Treatment Services
    • Providing Supportive Treatment Services — Properties and manipulation of materials
    • Providing Supportive Treatment Services — Polishing natural and restored teeth
    • Providing Supportive Treatment Services — Making of impressions and preparation of study casts
    • Providing Supportive Treatment Services — Other supportive services (e.g., tooth desensitization)
    • Providing Supportive Treatment Services — General
    • Professional Responsibility
    • Professional Responsibility — Ethical principles, including informed consent
    • Professional Responsibility — Regulatory compliance
    • Professional Responsibility — Patient and professional communication
    • Professional Responsibility — General
  • Discipline-Based Component — Community Health/Research Principles (24 items)
    • Promoting Health and Preventing Disease Within Groups
    • Participating in Community Programs
    • Participating in Community Programs — Assessing populations and defining objectives
    • Participating in Community Programs — Designing, implementing, and evaluating programs
    • Analyzing Scientific Literature, Understanding Statistical Concepts, and Applying Research Results
  • Case-Based Component (150 items involving 12 to 15 dental hygiene patient cases)
    • Cases present information dealing with adult and child patients and may involve geriatric, adult-periodontal, pediatric, special needs, medically compromised, and other patient types; a medically compromised patient is one whose health status may require modification of standard treatment or special consideration.
    • Patient information is presented by means of patient histories, dental charts, radiographs, and clinical photographs.
    • Assessing patient characteristics
    • Obtaining and interpreting radiographs
    • Planning and managing dental hygiene care
    • Performing periodontal procedures
    • Using preventive agents
    • Providing supportive treatment service
    • Professional responsibility
Examination sources