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New Jersey Dental Hygiene — Requirements & Free Practice

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Licensed Dental Hygienist (license to practice dental hygiene)

License issued by the New Jersey State Board of Dentistry to practice dental hygiene under the supervision of a New Jersey licensed dentist (N.J.S.A. 45:6-53, 45:6-62; N.J.A.C. 13:30-1A).

Licensing authority: New Jersey State Board of Dentistry · Application information

Biennial license renewal (active or inactive)
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing Education
20 hours of continuing education each biennial period, including the mandatory courses in N.J.A.C. 13:30-5.2(a).
Inactive Option
A licensee may renew as inactive and may not practice dental hygiene in New Jersey while inactive (N.J.A.C. 13:30-8.6(c)).
Renewal Application And Fee
Submit a renewal application and the renewal fee before expiration; renewal within 30 days after expiration requires a late fee, after which the license is suspended without a hearing (N.J.A.C. 13:30-8.6(b), (d), (e); N.J.S.A. 45:1-7.1(b)).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2021-04-19.

Initial licensure with an ADEX dental hygiene examination result more than five years old (Board case by case recognition)

All of the following:

  • National Board Dental Hygiene Examination

  • 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)
  • Online New Jersey Jurisprudence Orientation for applicants for licensure as a Registered Dental Hygienist (practice unavailable)
Adex Result Age
The ADEX dental hygiene examination was passed more than five years before application; the Board reviews recognition case by case and may recognize it if the applicant submits, at a minimum, a certification of good standing from the board of dentistry of every state in which the applicant holds a dental hygiene license (N.J.A.C. 13:30-1A.2(e)).
Application Fee
The application fee set forth in N.J.A.C. 13:30-8.1.
Board Application Checklist
The Board's checklist describes this way as for applicants who 'took the N.E.R.B. more than five years ago, and are licensed in another state' (N.E.R.B. is the former name of the ADEX administrator in the Board's rules).
Criminal History Check
Results from a New Jersey criminal history background check under N.J.S.A. 45:1-28 et seq. (N.J.A.C. 13:30-1A.2(b)7).
Education
A certified transcript verifying completion of a dental hygiene educational program approved by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (N.J.A.C. 13:30-1A.2(b)1).
Orientation Timing
The online New Jersey Jurisprudence orientation must be taken within six months of the date of application (N.J.A.C. 13:30-1A.2(b)5).
Other State Licenses
A certification of good standing from the board of dentistry of every state or jurisdiction in which the applicant holds a dental hygiene license (N.J.A.C. 13:30-1A.2(b)6).
Proficiency After Two Years
An applicant who graduated from a CODA-approved dental hygiene program two or more years before applying and has not practiced dental hygiene since must demonstrate maintained proficiency in dental hygiene (N.J.A.C. 13:30-1A.2(f)).
Licensure by credentials: written request for waiver of the ADEX dental hygiene examination on the strength of another state or regional clinical examination

All of the following:

Application Fee
The application fee set forth in N.J.A.C. 13:30-8.1.
Board Discretion
The Board 'may grant' the waiver (N.J.A.C. 13:30-1A.2(d)).
Criminal History Check
Results from a New Jersey criminal history background check under N.J.S.A. 45:1-28 et seq. (N.J.A.C. 13:30-1A.2(b)7).
Education
A certified transcript verifying completion of a dental hygiene educational program approved by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (N.J.A.C. 13:30-1A.2(b)1).
Orientation Timing
The online New Jersey Jurisprudence orientation must be taken within six months of the date of application (N.J.A.C. 13:30-1A.2(b)5).
Other Clinical Examination
Test results of any state or regional clinical examination other than the ADEX dental hygiene examination; the rule names no particular examination. Results are recognized for up to five years, after which the Board reviews each request case by case (N.J.A.C. 13:30-1A.2(d)3).
Other State Licenses
A certification of good standing from the board of dentistry of every state or jurisdiction in which the applicant holds a dental hygiene license (N.J.A.C. 13:30-1A.2(b)6).
Proficiency After Two Years
An applicant who graduated from a CODA-approved dental hygiene program two or more years before applying and has not practiced dental hygiene since must demonstrate maintained proficiency in dental hygiene (N.J.A.C. 13:30-1A.2(f)).
Score Reports
The Board's checklist asks that score reports of the other clinical examination be submitted with the application.
Waiver Request
A written request to the Board for waiver of the ADEX dental hygiene examination (N.J.A.C. 13:30-1A.2(d)).
Licensure by endorsement of a current license in good standing issued by another state (N.J.S.A. 45:1 7.5)
Online New Jersey Jurisprudence Orientation for applicants for licensure as a Registered Dental Hygienist (practice unavailable)
Agent For Service
Designation of a New Jersey agent for service of process if the applicant is a nonresident without a New Jersey office (N.J.S.A. 45:1-7.5(b)(3)).
Board Rule Examination Demand
The Board's rule N.J.A.C. 13:30-1A.2(b)3, a lower-ranked source than N.J.S.A. 45:1-7.5, lists for every dental hygiene applicant 'The results of the successful completion of the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) administered by the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations (JCNDE)'; the Board may ask endorsement applicants for NBDHE results.
Criminal History Check
A criminal history record background check that discloses no disqualifying conviction (N.J.S.A. 45:1-7.5(b)(2)).
Orientation Timing
The online New Jersey Jurisprudence orientation must be taken within six months of the date of application (N.J.A.C. 13:30-1A.2(b)5), as permitted by N.J.S.A. 45:1-7.5(j).
Out Of State License
A valid, current corresponding dental hygiene license in good standing issued by another state, as 'good standing' is defined in N.J.S.A. 45:1-7.5(c).
Post Issuance Verification
Within six months after issuance the Board must receive documentation verifying the applicant's education, training and examination results (N.J.S.A. 45:1-7.5(h)).
Recent Practice
The applicant practiced dental hygiene within the five years before the application (N.J.S.A. 45:1-7.5(a)(2)).
Substantial Equivalence
The issuing state has, or had at issuance, education, training and examination requirements substantially equivalent to New Jersey's current standards, as determined by the Board; a 'substantially equivalent' examination must be nationally recognized and of comparable scope and rigor, and experience may compensate for disparities (N.J.S.A. 45:1-7.5(a)(1), (d), (e)).
Initial licensure by examination (NBDHE, ADEX dental hygiene examination passed within the last five years, and the online New Jersey Jurisprudence orientation)

All of the following:

  • National Board Dental Hygiene Examination

  • 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)
  • Online New Jersey Jurisprudence Orientation for applicants for licensure as a Registered Dental Hygienist (practice unavailable)
Adex Result Age
The Board recognizes a passing ADEX dental hygiene examination result for up to five years (N.J.A.C. 13:30-1A.2(e)); older results follow the route for ADEX results more than five years old.
Application Fee
The application fee set forth in N.J.A.C. 13:30-8.1.
Criminal History Check
Results from a New Jersey criminal history background check under N.J.S.A. 45:1-28 et seq. (N.J.A.C. 13:30-1A.2(b)7).
Education
A certified transcript verifying completion of a dental hygiene educational program approved by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (N.J.A.C. 13:30-1A.2(b)1).
Orientation Timing
The online New Jersey Jurisprudence orientation must be taken within six months of the date of application (N.J.A.C. 13:30-1A.2(b)5).
Other State Licenses
A certification of good standing from the board of dentistry of every state or jurisdiction in which the applicant holds a dental hygiene license (N.J.A.C. 13:30-1A.2(b)6).
Proficiency After Two Years
An applicant who graduated from a CODA-approved dental hygiene program two or more years before applying and has not practiced dental hygiene since must demonstrate maintained proficiency in dental hygiene (N.J.A.C. 13:30-1A.2(f)).
Initial licensure by examination with credit for training, education and experience received in the Armed Forces

All of the following:

  • National Board Dental Hygiene Examination

  • 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)
  • Online New Jersey Jurisprudence Orientation for applicants for licensure as a Registered Dental Hygienist (practice unavailable)
Military Service
Honorable discharge from active military service (N.J.A.C. 13:30-1A.7(b)1; N.J.S.A. 45:1-15.3(b)(1)).
Orientation Timing
The online New Jersey Jurisprudence orientation must be completed within six months of the date of application (N.J.A.C. 13:30-1A.7(b)3).
Partial Credit
Where only part of the military training is substantially equivalent, the Board credits that portion; evidence is assessed case by case (N.J.A.C. 13:30-1A.7(d)-(e)).
Substantial Equivalence
Military training, education and/or experience, together with any civilian training, must be substantially equivalent to the training, education and experience required for licensure; the applicant submits the VMET Document (DD Form 2586) and, for courses outside a CODA-approved program, a Joint Services transcript evaluated by the American Council on Education (N.J.A.C. 13:30-1A.7(b)2).
Reactivation of an inactive dental hygiene license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board Discretionary Assessment
If the Board finds possible practice deficiencies it may require the applicant to pass 'an examination or an assessment of skills, a refresher course, or other requirements as determined by the Board'; no particular examination is named (N.J.A.C. 13:30-8.6A(b)).
Five Years Inactive
A person inactive for five or more years must furnish satisfactory evidence of current knowledge and skill in dental hygiene as required by Board regulation (N.J.S.A. 45:6-57.1).
Submissions
A renewal application, a certification of employment for the inactive period, the renewal fee for the biennial period, and evidence of the continuing education required for the preceding biennial period (N.J.A.C. 13:30-8.6A(a)).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2021-04-19.

Reinstatement of a dental hygiene license administratively suspended for failure to renew
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board Discretionary Assessment
If the Board finds possible practice deficiencies it may require the applicant to pass 'an examination or an assessment of skills, a refresher course, or other requirements as determined by the Board'; no particular examination is named (N.J.A.C. 13:30-8.6B(b)).
Submissions
A reinstatement application, a certification of employment for the suspension period, the current and immediately preceding biennial renewal fees, the reinstatement fee, and evidence of the continuing education required for the preceding biennial period (N.J.A.C. 13:30-8.6B(a)).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2021-04-19.

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

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

Online New Jersey Jurisprudence Orientation for applicants for licensure as a Registered Dental Hygienist

Provider
New Jersey State Board of Dentistry (online, Division of Consumer Affairs website)
Format
Online multiple-choice questions answered in one session; the next question opens only after the correct answer is selected
Exam questions
25 questions in the question set served on 2026-09-26
Exam fee
Free
Practice scope

Inferred from the examination name; the authority has not published an examination outline.

  • Dentistry statutes, N.J.S.A. Title 45, Chapter 6 (including the Dental Auxiliaries Act, N.J.S.A. 45:6-48 et seq.)
  • Uniform Enforcement Act and general provisions for professions and occupations, N.J.S.A. Title 45, Chapter 1
  • New Jersey Controlled Dangerous Substances Act, N.J.S.A. Title 24, Chapter 21
  • Board of Dentistry rules, N.J.A.C. 13:30
  • Prescription Monitoring Program rules, N.J.A.C. 13:45A-35
  • Uniform Regulations, N.J.A.C. 13:45C
  • Controlled Dangerous Substances rules, N.J.A.C. 13:45H
Examination sources