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South Dakota Dental Hygiene — Requirements & Free Practice

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License to practice as a dental hygienist

South Dakota license required to practice dental hygiene under SDCL 36-6A-40, issued by the State Board of Dentistry.

Licensing authority: South Dakota State Board of Dentistry · Application information

Annual license renewal (SDCL 36 6A 52; ARSD 20:43:03:06)
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing Education
At least 75 hours of Board-approved continuing education per five-year cycle, including five hours of dental radiography (ARSD 20:43:03:07.01).
Cpr
Maintain a current healthcare-provider CPR card.
Deadline
Renew by July first each year on the Board's form with the annual registration fee ($95) and continuing education fee ($20); failure to renew by July first suspends the license.
Discretionary Reexamination
A licensee who fails to meet continuing education requirements may, at the Board's discretion, be reexamined to determine competency (SDCL 36-6A-57); no specific examination is named.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2023-11-29.

License by credential verification for a dental hygienist licensed in another state (SDCL 36 6A 47.1; ARSD 20:43:03:10)

All of the following:

Board Meeting And Interview
A complete application must be received at least thirty days before the Board meeting; the applicant must appear for a personal interview if requested.
Clinical Exam Criteria
The clinical competency psychomotor examination (patient-based, simulation-based or manikin-based) must be approved by the Board under ARSD 20:43:03:09: psychometric soundness, direct observation by a Board designee, pocket depth detection, calculus detection and removal, intra oral and extra oral assessment, and a remediation policy; all required components must have been taken.
Discipline
No disciplinary proceeding or unresolved disciplinary complaint pending before a dental board when the license is to be issued.
Discretionary Examination
The Board may require a laboratory or clinical examination of an applicant if it has reason to believe the applicant cannot practice safely; no specific examination is named.
Documents
Completed application and $300 fee, license verification from each state, birth certificate or equivalent, current CPR card, recent photograph.
Education
Graduation from a CODA-accredited United States dental hygiene school with a dental hygiene degree.
Equivalent State Examination
Instead of a Board-approved clinical regional or national examination, a state examination or examinations that the Board deems equivalent is accepted; no specific examination is named.
Exam2021
Applicants who completed their clinical exam in 2021 must check the Board's chart to verify acceptance of the exam they completed.
Health Statement
Statement from an MD, DO, PA or certified nurse practitioner attesting to physical and mental condition.
Jurisprudence Examination
The South Dakota Jurisprudence Examination is an open book, untimed online examination on the statutes and administrative rules; cut score at least 70 percent; fee $135.
Other State License
Currently holds a valid dental hygiene license in another state whose licensure requirements are, in the Board's judgment, the same as or higher than South Dakota's.
Practice Hours
At least three thousand dental hygiene clinical practice hours within the five years immediately preceding the date of application.
Prior Clinical Examinations
The Board's clinical exam page (article last updated 1/27/2026) also lists SRTA, and its credential verification page lists CRDTS, WREB, CDCA, CITA, or SRTA. CRDTS states 'SRTA has merged with CRDTS', and the Board page names the CDCA, WREB and CITA examination as 'CDCA-WREB-CITA (ADEX)'; a passing score on an SRTA, WREB, CDCA or CITA dental hygiene clinical examination taken before those mergers is prior evidence the Board accepts, not a currently offered examination.
References
References indicating good moral character (SDCL 36-6A-47.1(9)).
Licensure by endorsement for a holder of a license from another state, territory or country (SDCL 36 1D 1)

All of the following:

Board Meeting And Interview
A complete application must be received at least thirty days before the Board meeting; the applicant must appear for a personal interview if requested.
Clinical Exam Criteria
The clinical competency psychomotor examination (patient-based, simulation-based or manikin-based) must be approved by the Board under ARSD 20:43:03:09: psychometric soundness, direct observation by a Board designee, pocket depth detection, calculus detection and removal, intra oral and extra oral assessment, and a remediation policy; all required components must have been taken.
Competency
Demonstrates competency through methods determined by the Board (SDCL 36-1D-1(2)).
Discipline
No disciplinary proceeding or unresolved disciplinary complaint pending before a dental board when the license is to be issued.
Discretionary Examination
The Board may require a laboratory or clinical examination of an applicant if it has reason to believe the applicant cannot practice safely; no specific examination is named.
Equivalent State Examination
Instead of a Board-approved clinical regional or national examination, a state examination or examinations that the Board deems equivalent is accepted; no specific examination is named.
Exam2021
Applicants who completed their clinical exam in 2021 must check the Board's chart to verify acceptance of the exam they completed.
Fees
Pays the fees established by the Board.
Good Standing
In good standing and not disciplined by the issuing jurisdiction, and no act constituting grounds for refusal, unless the Board decides otherwise.
Jurisprudence Examination
The South Dakota Jurisprudence Examination is an open book, untimed online examination on the statutes and administrative rules; cut score at least 70 percent; fee $135.
Other Jurisdiction License
Holds a current license from another state, territory or country whose requirements the Board determines are substantially equivalent to or exceed South Dakota's.
Prior Clinical Examinations
The Board's clinical exam page (article last updated 1/27/2026) also lists SRTA, and its credential verification page lists CRDTS, WREB, CDCA, CITA, or SRTA. CRDTS states 'SRTA has merged with CRDTS', and the Board page names the CDCA, WREB and CITA examination as 'CDCA-WREB-CITA (ADEX)'; a passing score on an SRTA, WREB, CDCA or CITA dental hygiene clinical examination taken before those mergers is prior evidence the Board accepts, not a currently offered examination.
Substantial Equivalence
The Board's Application Overview states: 'For any South Dakota requirement you do not meet, please submit documentation that demonstrates substantial equivalence with the South Dakota requirement.' An applicant may therefore offer documentation of substantial equivalence in place of an examination listed here; the Board decides.
License by examination (SDCL 36 6A 44.2; ARSD 20:43:03:08)

All of the following:

Board Meeting And Interview
A complete application must be received at least thirty days before the Board meeting; the applicant must appear for a personal interview if requested.
Board Page Patient Based Statement
The Board's Application Overview page states: 'The application for new license is for a dental hygienist that has passed a patient based clinical competency dental hygiene examination within five years preceding the date of application.' ARSD 20:43:03:08(4) accepts patient-based, simulation-based or manikin-based examinations, and the application form accepts 'patient based or equivalent manikin based' examinations.
Clinical Exam Criteria
The clinical competency psychomotor examination (patient-based, simulation-based or manikin-based) must be approved by the Board under ARSD 20:43:03:09: psychometric soundness, direct observation by a Board designee, pocket depth detection, calculus detection and removal, intra oral and extra oral assessment, and a remediation policy; all required components must have been taken.
Clinical Exam Window
The clinical competency examination must have been passed within five years preceding the date of application; an applicant who fails any combination of Board-approved clinical competency examinations three times is not eligible for licensure.
Discipline
No disciplinary proceeding or unresolved disciplinary complaint pending before a dental board when the license is to be issued.
Discretionary Examination
The Board may require a laboratory or clinical examination of an applicant if it has reason to believe the applicant cannot practice safely; no specific examination is named.
Documents
Completed application and fee, license verification from each state where licensed, birth certificate or equivalent, recent photograph, and a current healthcare-provider CPR card.
Education
Graduation from a United States dental hygiene program accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation with a dental hygiene degree, shown by certified transcripts or a certified school letter.
Equivalent State Examination
Instead of a Board-approved clinical regional or national examination, a state examination or examinations that the Board deems equivalent is accepted; no specific examination is named.
Exam2021
Applicants who completed their clinical exam in 2021 must check the Board's chart to verify acceptance of the exam they completed.
Jurisprudence Examination
The South Dakota Jurisprudence Examination is an open book, untimed online examination on the statutes and administrative rules; cut score at least 70 percent; fee $135.
Prior Clinical Examinations
The Board's clinical exam page (article last updated 1/27/2026) also lists SRTA, and its credential verification page lists CRDTS, WREB, CDCA, CITA, or SRTA. CRDTS states 'SRTA has merged with CRDTS', and the Board page names the CDCA, WREB and CITA examination as 'CDCA-WREB-CITA (ADEX)'; a passing score on an SRTA, WREB, CDCA or CITA dental hygiene clinical examination taken before those mergers is prior evidence the Board accepts, not a currently offered examination.
References
References indicating good moral character (SDCL 36-6A-44.2(7)).
Reinstatement or new license after suspension or revocation (SDCL 36 6A 25)
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board Discretion
Reinstatement or issuance of a new license is at the Board's discretion when the action is warranted; the Board may require payment of the costs of the proceedings. No specific examination is named.
Fee
Reinstatement fee equal to the examination fee (SDCL 36-6A-50(6)).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2015-07-01.

Temporary registration to practice as a dental hygienist

Temporary registration under SDCL 36-6A-49 or 36-6A-49.1 and ARSD 20:43:03:04.02, valid only until a date set by the Board.

Licensing authority: South Dakota State Board of Dentistry · Application information

Temporary registration for a dental hygienist licensed in another state (SDCL 36 6A 49; ARSD 20:43:03:04.02)
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Experience Or Recent Graduation
At least fifteen hundred clinical practice hours in the five years preceding application, or graduation from a CODA-accredited United States dental hygiene school within three years preceding application.
Fee
Fee of one hundred dollars.
Other State License
Licensed in a state or territory of the United States whose licensure requirements are equivalent or higher than South Dakota's, all licenses in good standing, no pending disciplinary proceeding.
Practice Setting
Practice only in conjunction with a dentist or entity under SDCL 36-6A-33(9), (10), (12) or (13), until a date set by the Board, subject to the conditions of the registration.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2023-11-29.

Temporary registration for an applicant who has met all requirements for the license (SDCL 36 6A 49.1; ARSD 20:43:03:04.02)

All of the following:

Board Meeting And Interview
A complete application must be received at least thirty days before the Board meeting; the applicant must appear for a personal interview if requested.
Clinical Exam Criteria
The clinical competency psychomotor examination (patient-based, simulation-based or manikin-based) must be approved by the Board under ARSD 20:43:03:09: psychometric soundness, direct observation by a Board designee, pocket depth detection, calculus detection and removal, intra oral and extra oral assessment, and a remediation policy; all required components must have been taken.
Discipline
No disciplinary proceeding or unresolved disciplinary complaint pending before a dental board when the license is to be issued.
Discretionary Examination
The Board may require a laboratory or clinical examination of an applicant if it has reason to believe the applicant cannot practice safely; no specific examination is named.
Equivalent State Examination
Instead of a Board-approved clinical regional or national examination, a state examination or examinations that the Board deems equivalent is accepted; no specific examination is named.
Exam2021
Applicants who completed their clinical exam in 2021 must check the Board's chart to verify acceptance of the exam they completed.
Fee
Temporary registration fee of $100, waived for applicants who graduated within 6 months before application.
Jurisprudence Examination
The South Dakota Jurisprudence Examination is an open book, untimed online examination on the statutes and administrative rules; cut score at least 70 percent; fee $135.
Pending Application
Has applied for a license to practice as a dental hygienist and met all requirements for the license; the registration lasts only until a date set by the Board.
Prior Clinical Examinations
The Board's clinical exam page (article last updated 1/27/2026) also lists SRTA, and its credential verification page lists CRDTS, WREB, CDCA, CITA, or SRTA. CRDTS states 'SRTA has merged with CRDTS', and the Board page names the CDCA, WREB and CITA examination as 'CDCA-WREB-CITA (ADEX)'; a passing score on an SRTA, WREB, CDCA or CITA dental hygiene clinical examination taken before those mergers is prior evidence the Board accepts, not a currently offered examination.

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

South Dakota Jurisprudence Examination (Dental Hygienist)

Provider
South Dakota State Board of Dentistry
Format
Open book online written examination; not timed; emailed link after application and fee
Passing score
Cut score of at least 70 percent
Exam fee
$135 for a dental hygienist
Examination outline
  • SDCL Chapter 36-6A — Dentists, Dental Hygienists and Dental Auxiliaries
  • ARSD Chapter 20:43:01 — Administration
  • ARSD Chapter 20:43:03 — Licensing Dentists and Dental Hygienists
  • ARSD Chapter 20:43:04 — Authorized Practice
  • ARSD Chapter 20:43:07 — Dental Radiography
  • ARSD Chapter 20:43:08 — Registered Dental Assistants and Dental Assistants
  • ARSD Chapter 20:43:09 — Anesthesia and Analgesia
  • ARSD Chapter 20:43:10 — Collaborative Supervision
  • ARSD Chapter 20:43:11 — Medical Records
  • SDCL Chapter 47-12 — Dental Corporations
  • ARSD Chapter 44:03:01 — Radiation Control
Examination sources