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Nebraska Dental Hygiene — Requirements & Free Practice

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Dental Hygiene License

License to practice dental hygiene in Nebraska under the Dentistry Practice Act and the Uniform Credentialing Act.

Licensing authority: Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health, Licensure Unit (on the recommendation of the Board of Dentistry) · Application information

License by examination (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 38 1118; 172 NAC 57 003.01)

All of the following:

Adex Date Limit
The application form accepts the ADEX practical examination only if it was taken or signed up for prior to 11-1-2022, and practical scores are accepted for five years from the date passed.
Age And Character
At least 19 years old and of good character (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 38-129(1); 172 NAC 10-003.01(A)).
Application Exam List Wording
The application instructions list the "2025 Central Regional Dental Testing Service (CRDTS) Dental Hygiene Examination" as accepted for applications completed from January 1, 2024 through present; the Board's separate current list names the "Central Regional Dental Testing Service (CRDTS) Dental Hygiene Examination" for applications from January 1, 2023 through present and states acceptable examinations are updated by November 1 each year.
Citizenship Or Lawful Presence
U.S. citizenship or lawful presence as set out in Neb. Rev. Stat. § 38-129(2) and §§ 4-108 through 4-111.
Continuing Clinical Competency
Demonstrate continuing clinical competency as a condition of licensure if required by the Board (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 38-1118(1)(e)).
Criminal Background Check
The DHHS page requires applicants to submit CBC/fingerprints to the Nebraska State Patrol (application effective 9/1/26).
Education
Proof of graduation from an accredited dental hygiene program (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 38-1118(1)(a)); an official transcript sent directly from the program (application Section C).
Passing Scores
Scores of 75 or above on the NBDHE, the practical examination and the jurisprudence examination (172 NAC 57-003.01); the application states practical passing scores are determined by the respective testing agency.
Practical Exam Open Alternative
Instead of the CRDTS examination, any other regional or state practical examination that the Board of Dentistry determines to be comparable is accepted (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 38-1118(1)(c)); the Board's current list of acceptable clinical examinations names only the CRDTS Dental Hygiene Examination, patient-based or manikin.
Practical Exam Recency
The practical examination must have been passed within the past five years (172 NAC 57-003.01(B); application Section D).
Remedial Course
An applicant who has failed any part of the practical examination on two occasions must complete a Board-approved remedial course before a third examination result is considered (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 38-1119; 172 NAC 57-004).
License by reciprocity under the Uniform Credentialing Act (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 38 129.02; 172 NAC 57 003.02)
Nebraska Dental/Dental Hygiene Jurisprudence Exam
Age And Character
At least 19 years old and of good character (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 38-129(1)).
Application Score Reports
The application instructions state that all applicants are required to submit official score reports for the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination and the practical examination; the statute for this route requires only documentation of the examination the other jurisdiction required.
Citizenship Or Lawful Presence
U.S. citizenship or lawful presence as set out in Neb. Rev. Stat. § 38-129(2) and §§ 4-108 through 4-111.
Credential Elsewhere
A current and valid dental hygiene credential in another state, a U.S. territory or the District of Columbia that has been valid for at least one year (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 38-129.02(2), (3)(a)-(b)).
Criminal Background Check
Fees for a criminal background check if required for the profession (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 38-129.02(2)); the DHHS page requires CBC/fingerprints.
Discipline
No revocation, disciplinary action or surrender under investigation, and no pending complaint or investigation; no disqualifying criminal history (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 38-129.02(3)(f)-(g), (5)).
Education And Experience
Documentation of the educational requirements and any minimum work experience and clinical supervision requirements of the other credential (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 38-129.02(3)(c)-(d)).
Other Jurisdiction Exam
Documentation of passage of an examination for that credential if such passage was required in the other jurisdiction (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 38-129.02(3)(e)).
Residency
Establish residency in Nebraska within 180 days after issuance and submit proof of residency within 90 days of establishing it, or the credential is revoked (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 38-129.02(4); 172 NAC 57-003.03).
License by reciprocity based on active practice under another state license (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 38 1121(1))

All of the following:

Active Practice
Actively engaged in the practice of dental hygiene for at least three years, one of which within the three years immediately preceding the application; practice in an accredited dental hygiene program for a postgraduate or residency program counts (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 38-1121(1)); proof by W-2s or employer letter (application Section E).
Adex Date Limit
The application form accepts the ADEX practical examination only if it was taken or signed up for prior to 11-1-2022.
Age And Character
At least 19 years old and of good character (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 38-129(1)).
Board Standards
Meet the standards set by the Board pursuant to Neb. Rev. Stat. § 38-126 (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 38-1121(1)).
Citizenship Or Lawful Presence
U.S. citizenship or lawful presence as set out in Neb. Rev. Stat. § 38-129(2) and §§ 4-108 through 4-111.
Criminal Background Check
The DHHS page requires applicants to submit CBC/fingerprints to the Nebraska State Patrol.
Dhhs Page Exam List
The DHHS Dental Hygienist page lists for License by Reciprocity only licensure in another state/jurisdiction, three years of active practice, and "Pass a Jurisprudence Examination that relates to the statutes and regulations that govern dentistry with a minimum score of 75 percent or above"; the application requires all applicants to submit official NBDHE and practical examination score reports.
License Elsewhere
Licensed to practice dental hygiene in another state or territory of the United States or the District of Columbia (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 38-1121(1)).
Practical Exam Alternatives
Reciprocity applicants who took the CDCA exam must have their scores sent directly; those who took a state examination must have that state certify the requirements met for its license (Board list of acceptable clinical examinations). Another state's own examination is accepted only through that certification.
Reinstatement after expiration or from inactive status (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 38 147; 172 NAC 10 007; 172 NAC 57 013)
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board Discretion
The Department, on the Board's recommendation, may deny reinstatement or impose terms if the applicant committed acts listed in Neb. Rev. Stat. § 38-178 (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 38-147(2)).
Renewal Requirements
Evidence of meeting the renewal requirements, including continuing competency, in effect when reinstatement is sought, and payment of reinstatement and renewal fees (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 38-147(1); 172 NAC 10-007.03).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Biennial renewal (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 38 142; 172 NAC 10 004; 172 NAC 57 005 and 57 006)
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing Education
At least 30 hours of acceptable continuing education in the preceding 24-month period, including at least 2 hours of infection control and 2 hours in each expanded-function area held (172 NAC 57-006).
Expiration
Dental hygiene licenses expire on March 1 of each odd-numbered year (172 NAC 57-005).
Waivers
Continuing competency is waived for active military service and for holders first credentialed within the 24 months before renewal (172 NAC 10-004.03).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

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

Nebraska Dental/Dental Hygiene Jurisprudence Exam

Provider
Nebraska Board of Dentistry (online via ProProfs)
Format
Free, online open book examination
Exam questions
35
Passing score
75%
Exam fee
Free
Examination outline
  • Dentistry Practice Act (Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 38-1101 to 38-1153)
  • Uniform Credentialing Act (Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 38-101 to 38-1,148)
  • Medical Records Statutes (Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 71-8401 to 71-8407)
  • 172 NAC 5 - Mandatory Reporting by Health Care Professionals, Facilities, Peer Review Organizations, Professional Associations, and Insurers
  • 172 NAC 56 - Licensure of Dentists; Minimal, Moderate, or General Anesthesia / Deep Sedation
  • 172 NAC 57 - Licensure of Dental Hygienists
  • 172 NAC 53 - Unlicensed Dental Assistants and the Licensure of Dental Assistants
  • 172 NAC 58 - Dental Faculty Licenses
  • Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 38-4801)
Examination sources