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Illinois Dental Hygiene — Requirements & Free Practice

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Dental Hygienist License

License issued under the Illinois Dental Practice Act authorizing practice as a dental hygienist in Illinois.

Licensing authority: Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation · Application information

Licensure by endorsement of a license held in another state, territory or the military (225 ILCS 25/19; 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1220.410)

All of the following:

  • National Board Dental Hygiene Examination

  • At least one of the following alternatives:

    • CRDTS Dental Hygiene Patient-Based Exam (assessment without a question bank)
    • CRDTS Dental Hygiene Simulated Patient Exam (practice unavailable)

    • All of the following:

      • ADEX Dental Hygiene Computer Simulated Clinical Examination (CSCE OSCE) (practice unavailable)
      • ADEX Dental Hygiene Simulated Patient Treatment Clinical Examination (SPTCE) (assessment without a question bank)
Additional Testing
Applicants who have not actively practiced in 3 of the last 5 years may be required to complete additional testing, training, or remedial education as the Board may deem necessary (68 Ill. Adm. Code 1220.410(d)).
Application Expiry
Applicants have 3 years from the date of application to complete the application process (225 ILCS 25/19).
Board Certificate
Duly attested certificate from the Board of the state or territory of licensure certifying licensing and good moral character (225 ILCS 25/19); certification of licensure and disciplinary record from the original jurisdiction and any jurisdiction of practice within the last 5 years (68 Ill. Adm. Code 1220.410(c)(1)).
Cpr Certification
Currently valid certification to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation; the rule requires current BLS certification from the American Red Cross, the American Heart Association or the American Safety and Health Institute, or a licensed physician's statement that the applicant is physically disabled and unable to obtain certification (225 ILCS 25/13(4); 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1220.200(d)).
Education
Certification of 2 academic years of credit in an approved school of dental hygiene (68 Ill. Adm. Code 1220.410(c)(3), 1220.250); 2 academic years at a CODA-accredited dental hygiene program (225 ILCS 25/13(3)).
Employment Verification
Verification of employment (68 Ill. Adm. Code 1220.410(c)(4)).
Fee
Required fee (225 ILCS 25/19; 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1220.410(c)(5), 1220.415).
Licensure Elsewhere
Lawfully licensed to practice dental hygiene in another state or territory or as a member of the military service whose standard is at least equal to Illinois's, or whose licensure requirements were substantially equivalent at the date of licensure (225 ILCS 25/19); actively licensed as a dental hygienist in another state or jurisdiction of the United States (IDFPR 020 Qualifications for Licensure).
National Board Scores
National Dental Hygienist Board Examination scores must be forwarded to the Division from JCNDE (68 Ill. Adm. Code 1220.410(c)(2)).
Practice Experience
Lawfully engaged in the practice of dental hygiene for at least 2 years immediately preceding the application (225 ILCS 25/19); the rule states lawful practice for at least 3 of the last 5 years (68 Ill. Adm. Code 1220.410(a)).
Prior Regional Examination Before2026
In place of a CRDTS or ADEX examination, an applicant who passed the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination and who, prior to January 1, 2026, successfully completed an examination conducted by SRTA, WREB, CDCA or NERB is eligible to apply (225 ILCS 25/13(6), second sentence). 'Successfully completed' means a minimum passing score as determined by the applicable regional testing service.
Rule Lists Srta Examination
68 Ill. Adm. Code 1220.220(a) (effective 2024-09-10) states: "The Division shall accept the following examinations for licensure if administered and passed in their entirety: 1) CDCA-WREB-CITA Examination ... 2) CRDTS Examination ... or 3) SRTA Examination". The statute as amended effective 2026-01-01 names CRDTS or ADEX and accepts SRTA results only when completed before January 1, 2026; the SRTA examination is no longer separately offered ("SRTA has merged with CRDTS"). The CDCA-WREB-CITA Examination is the ADEX examination administered by CDCA-WREB-CITA.
Substantially Equivalent
225 ILCS 25/19 defines "substantially equivalent" as graduation from an ADA-accredited dental college or school, passing both parts of the National Board Dental Examination, and successful completion of an examination conducted by a regional testing service.
Temporary Authorization
An applicant under Section 19 because of a natural disaster or catastrophic event in another jurisdiction may be temporarily authorized by the Secretary to practice dental hygiene under the supervision of an Illinois-licensed dentist pending issuance of the license (225 ILCS 25/19.1).
Initial licensure by examination (225 ILCS 25/13)

All of the following:

  • National Board Dental Hygiene Examination

  • At least one of the following alternatives:

    • CRDTS Dental Hygiene Patient-Based Exam (assessment without a question bank)
    • CRDTS Dental Hygiene Simulated Patient Exam (practice unavailable)

    • All of the following:

      • ADEX Dental Hygiene Computer Simulated Clinical Examination (CSCE OSCE) (practice unavailable)
      • ADEX Dental Hygiene Simulated Patient Treatment Clinical Examination (SPTCE) (assessment without a question bank)
Application Expiry
If the applicant fails to pass an examination for licensure within 3 years after filing an application, the application expires (225 ILCS 25/14).
Cpr Certification
Currently valid certification to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation; the rule requires current BLS certification from the American Red Cross, the American Heart Association or the American Safety and Health Institute, or a licensed physician's statement that the applicant is physically disabled and unable to obtain certification (225 ILCS 25/13(4); 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1220.200(d)).
Education
Successful completion of 2 academic years of credit at a dental hygiene program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association (225 ILCS 25/13(3); 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1220.200(a)).
Examination Recency
If never licensed in another jurisdiction, the Division accepts only examinations completed in the 5 years prior to submission of the application (68 Ill. Adm. Code 1220.220(d)).
Fee
Required application fee (68 Ill. Adm. Code 1220.200(f), 1220.415).
High School
Graduate of high school or its equivalent (225 ILCS 25/13(2)).
License Pending Practice
After passing the Department-approved licensure examination and applying with the fee, an applicant may practice as a license-pending dental hygienist under the delegation of a licensed general dentist for up to 6 months (225 ILCS 25/13.4).
Prior Licensure Certification
Certification from the state in which the applicant was originally licensed and is currently licensed, if applicable, of licensure dates and disciplinary record (68 Ill. Adm. Code 1220.200(e)).
Prior Regional Examination Before2026
In place of a CRDTS or ADEX examination, an applicant who passed the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination and who, prior to January 1, 2026, successfully completed an examination conducted by SRTA, WREB, CDCA or NERB is eligible to apply (225 ILCS 25/13(6), second sentence). 'Successfully completed' means a minimum passing score as determined by the applicable regional testing service.
Rule Lists Srta Examination
68 Ill. Adm. Code 1220.220(a) (effective 2024-09-10) states: "The Division shall accept the following examinations for licensure if administered and passed in their entirety: 1) CDCA-WREB-CITA Examination ... 2) CRDTS Examination ... or 3) SRTA Examination". The statute as amended effective 2026-01-01 names CRDTS or ADEX and accepts SRTA results only when completed before January 1, 2026; the SRTA examination is no longer separately offered ("SRTA has merged with CRDTS"). The CDCA-WREB-CITA Examination is the ADEX examination administered by CDCA-WREB-CITA.
Score Reporting
Examination scores must be submitted to the Division directly from the reporting entity, and the National Board Certificate issued by JCNDE (68 Ill. Adm. Code 1220.200(b)-(c), 1220.220(c)).
License renewal (225 ILCS 25/16; 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1220.270)
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Bls Certification
Current Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers certification or equivalent, or a physician's statement of physical disability (225 ILCS 25/16; 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1220.270(a)(2)).
Continuing Education
Certification of 36 hours of continuing education pursuant to 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1220.440 (225 ILCS 25/16.1; 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1220.270(a)(1)).
Fee
Renewal fee (68 Ill. Adm. Code 1220.270(a)(3), 1220.415).
Renewal Window
Every dental hygienist license expires on September 30 every 3 years; renewal during the month preceding expiration, or within 90 days after expiration with an additional fee (225 ILCS 25/16; 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1220.270(a)).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-01-01.

Restoration after 5 years or more without qualifying practice or military service (68 Ill. Adm. Code 1220.260(c))

At least one of the following alternatives:

  • CRDTS Dental Hygiene Patient-Based Exam (assessment without a question bank)
  • CRDTS Dental Hygiene Simulated Patient Exam (practice unavailable)

  • All of the following:

    • ADEX Dental Hygiene Computer Simulated Clinical Examination (CSCE OSCE) (practice unavailable)
    • ADEX Dental Hygiene Simulated Patient Treatment Clinical Examination (SPTCE) (assessment without a question bank)
Applicability
License expired or on inactive status for 5 years or more, and neither lawful active practice in another jurisdiction for 3 of the last 5 years nor military service applies (68 Ill. Adm. Code 1220.260(c)).
Bls Certification
Proof of BLS certification or a physician's statement of physical disability (68 Ill. Adm. Code 1220.260(b)).
Continuing Education
Proof of 36 hours of continuing education within 3 years prior to application (68 Ill. Adm. Code 1220.260(b)).
Fee
Application and fees required by 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1220.415.
Rule Lists Srta Examination
68 Ill. Adm. Code 1220.220(a) also lists the "SRTA Examination"; the SRTA examination is no longer separately offered ("SRTA has merged with CRDTS"). The CDCA-WREB-CITA Examination is the ADEX examination administered by CDCA-WREB-CITA.
Statutory Evaluation
The Department determines fitness to resume active status by an evaluation process established by rule and may require a period of evaluated clinical experience (225 ILCS 25/16).
Restoration after 5 years or more without an active license due to discipline (68 Ill. Adm. Code 1220.260(d))

At least one of the following alternatives:

  • CRDTS Dental Hygiene Patient-Based Exam (assessment without a question bank)
  • CRDTS Dental Hygiene Simulated Patient Exam (practice unavailable)

  • All of the following:

    • ADEX Dental Hygiene Computer Simulated Clinical Examination (CSCE OSCE) (practice unavailable)
    • ADEX Dental Hygiene Simulated Patient Treatment Clinical Examination (SPTCE) (assessment without a question bank)
Applicability
Licensee granted restoration who has not had an active license for 5 years or more due to discipline (68 Ill. Adm. Code 1220.260(d)); restoration from discipline is at the Department's discretion after completion of the disciplinary term (225 ILCS 25/31).
Board Alternative
Instead of an examination under 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1220.220, the licensee may be required to complete such additional testing, training, or remedial education as the Board may deem necessary (68 Ill. Adm. Code 1220.260(d)).
Rule Lists Srta Examination
68 Ill. Adm. Code 1220.220(a) also lists the "SRTA Examination"; the SRTA examination is no longer separately offered ("SRTA has merged with CRDTS"). The CDCA-WREB-CITA Examination is the ADEX examination administered by CDCA-WREB-CITA.
Restoration after 5 years or more with active practice elsewhere or military service (68 Ill. Adm. Code 1220.260(b))
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Applicability
License expired or on inactive status for 5 years or more (68 Ill. Adm. Code 1220.260(b)).
Bls Certification
Proof of BLS certification or a physician's statement of physical disability (68 Ill. Adm. Code 1220.260(b)).
Continuing Education
Proof of 36 hours of continuing education within 3 years prior to application (68 Ill. Adm. Code 1220.260(b)).
Fee
Application and fees required by 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1220.415.
Practice Or Military
Either certification of lawful active practice in another jurisdiction for at least 3 of the last 5 years, or an affidavit attesting to military service as provided in Section 16 of the Act (68 Ill. Adm. Code 1220.260(b)(1)-(2)); restoration within 2 years after termination of military service requires no lapsed renewal or restoration fees (225 ILCS 25/16).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-01-01.

Restoration of a license expired or inactive for less than 5 years (68 Ill. Adm. Code 1220.260(a))
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Applicability
License expired or on inactive status for less than 5 years; also a licensee granted restoration whose license was not active for less than 5 years due to discipline (68 Ill. Adm. Code 1220.260(a), (d)).
Bls Certification
Proof of BLS certification or a physician's statement of physical disability (68 Ill. Adm. Code 1220.260(a)).
Continuing Education
Proof of 36 hours of continuing education within 3 years prior to application for restoration (68 Ill. Adm. Code 1220.260(a)).
Fee
Fees required by 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1220.415; restoration from inactive status requires only the current renewal fee.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-01-01.

ADEX Dental Hygiene Computer Simulated Clinical Examination (CSCE OSCE)

Provider
American Board of Dental Examiners; Prometric delivery
Format
Computer-based clinically based questions
Exam questions
Up to 120 items; pilot questions do not affect the final score
Passing score
Minimum scaled score 75; results reported as Pass/Fail
Examination outline
  • Medical/Dental Assessment (12%)
  • Intra and Extra Oral Assessment and Charting (27%)
    • Intra and Extra Oral Examination
    • Dental and Periodontal Charting and Assessment
    • Soft Tissue, Bone, and Tooth Abnormalities
  • Radiology/Imaging (15%)
  • Dental Hygiene Care Planning (13%)
  • Patient Care (19%)
    • Periodontal Procedures
    • Infection Control
    • Medical Emergency Management
  • Dental Specialties and Pharmacology (14%)
    • Dental Specialties
    • Applied Pharmacology
Examination sources

ADEX Dental Hygiene Simulated Patient Treatment Clinical Examination (SPTCE)

This assessment does not have a question bank.

Provider
American Board of Dental Examiners
Format
Simulated patient treatment on maxillary and mandibular typodonts
Passing score
75 or greater; results reported as Pass/Fail for this part
Examination sources

CRDTS Dental Hygiene Patient-Based Exam

This assessment does not have a question bank.

Examination sources

CRDTS Dental Hygiene Simulated Patient Exam

Examination outline
  • Extra/Intra Oral Assessment OSCE — 16 scorable items, 1 point each, 16 maximum points
    • Identify gross head and neck anatomy, variations of normal anatomy, palpation techniques used to examine head and neck extraoral and intraoral structures, and atypical or abnormal findings, whether pathologic or non-pathologic
    • Extraoral — Head, Face, and Neck: asymmetry, infected piercings, swellings, lesions
    • Extraoral — Lymph Nodes, TMJ: description of location, restricted opening
    • Intraoral — Oral Mucosa/Lips and Supporting Structures: lesions, chemical/physical irritations, tattoos, swellings, hematomas, nodules
    • Intraoral — Alveolar Ridge: lesions, chemical/physical irritations, exostosis, torus/tori, tattoos, swellings, hematomas, nodules
    • Intraoral — Palate and Oral Pharynx (tonsils and tonsillar pillars): torus, lesions, chemical/physical irritation, other significant findings
    • Intraoral — Tongue: hairy tongue, fissured tongue, loss of papilla, geographic tongue, glossitis, nodules, lesions
    • Intraoral — Floor of the Mouth: ankyloglossia, hematomas, lesions, tattoos, other significant findings
  • Calculus Detection — 12 scorable surfaces, 1 point each, 12 maximum points
    • Explore 12 random assigned surfaces on the maxillary arch and accurately record presence (Y/Yes) or absence (N/No) of calculus on each surface
    • The maxillary arch is for calculus detection only, not scaling; deposits detected on a line angle are marked on the closest interproximal surface
  • Scaling/Subgingival Calculus Removal — 12 scorable surfaces, 5 points each, 60 maximum points
    • Candidate selects the right or left mandibular quadrant during the initial online application; examiners evaluate 12 surfaces in the selected quadrant
    • Because evaluated surfaces are unknown, explore all subgingival surfaces in the selected quadrant and remove subgingival calculus so no deposits are detectable with an 11/12 explorer; detectable subgingival calculus is a scaling error
    • Supragingival deposit/stain removal is not part of this examination, so rubber cup polishing is not needed or required
  • Periodontal Probing — 12 scorable measurements, 1 point each, 12 maximum points
    • On two randomly assigned teeth in the selected treatment quadrant, chart simulated gingival sulcus/pocket depths within ±1 mm to the nearest mm on six aspects of each tooth: MF, F-midpoint, DF, ML, L-midpoint, and DL
    • Record periodontal measurements after scaling; direct facial and lingual readings are at tooth midpoint with probe parallel to root surface and long axis; interproximal readings place the shank against the contact point and tip slightly into the col; if no contact, place at proximal midpoint and record the same facial and lingual measurement; use light pressure to position the tip to sulcus depth
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