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Wisconsin Dental Hygiene — Requirements & Free Practice

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Compact Privilege to Practice Dental Hygiene

Compact privilege to practice dental hygiene in Wisconsin under the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact (Wis. Stat. §§ 447.04(2)(bm), 447.50).

Licensing authority: Wisconsin Dentistry Examining Board (Department of Safety and Professional Services) · Application information

Compact privilege under the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact (Wis. Stat. §§ 447.04(2)(bm), 447.50)
Examination on Wisconsin Law (Dental Hygiene)
Compact Operation
Issuance depends on the compact commission's operation under Wis. Stat. § 447.50; this survey did not obtain an official source stating the date from which compact privileges are issued.
Other Compact Requirements
Satisfies all other applicable requirements under Wis. Stat. § 447.50(4), including commission rules; pays the fee under Wis. Stat. § 447.51(2).
Qualifying License
A qualifying dental hygiene license in another participating state and no encumbered license in any participating state (Wis. Stat. § 447.50(4)).

Dental Hygienist

License to practice dental hygiene granted by the Wisconsin Dentistry Examining Board under Wis. Stat. § 447.04(2).

Licensing authority: Wisconsin Dentistry Examining Board (Department of Safety and Professional Services) · Application information

Licensure by endorsement (Wis. Stat. § 447.04(2)(b); Wis. Admin. Code § DE 2.04(2))
Examination on Wisconsin Law (Dental Hygiene)
Board Form Score Demand
Form #511 (an implementation carrier ranked below the rule) states that all applicants must file National Board scores ("Original score(s) must be submitted directly from National Board of Dental Hygiene Examiners.") and regional examination score reports; the Board may ask endorsement applicants for these.
Cpr
Current certificate of proficiency in cardiopulmonary resuscitation from a Wisconsin DHS-approved course provider (Wis. Admin. Code § DE 2.04(2)(g)).
Discipline And Interview
Licence verification from each jurisdiction, disclosure of all discipline shown in NPDB and AADB reports, and satisfactory responses in any personal interview the Board requires (Wis. Admin. Code § DE 2.04(2)(b), (h), (i)).
Education
Graduation from a school of dental hygiene accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association (Wis. Admin. Code § DE 2.04(2)(a)).
Jurisprudence Wording
Wis. Admin. Code § DE 2.04(2)(e) describes the jurisprudence examination as on Wisconsin statutes and administrative rules "relating to dentistry and dental hygiene"; Form #511 item 5 requires all applicants to complete the online examination on Wisconsin Statutes and Rules relating to the practice of dental hygiene.
License Elsewhere
A license in good standing issued by the proper authorities of another jurisdiction of the United States or Canada (Wis. Admin. Code § DE 2.04(2)); Wis. Stat. § 447.04(2)(b) refers to another state, territory or country.
Substantially Equivalent Examination
Successful completion of an examination that, in the Board's judgment, is substantially equivalent to an examination administered by a board approved testing service (Wis. Admin. Code § DE 2.04(2)(d)); the rule does not identify a specific examination.
Licensure by examination (Wis. Stat. § 447.04(2)(a); Wis. Admin. Code § DE 2.01(2))

All of the following:

Application And Fee
Application via LicensE and the fee under Wis. Stat. § 440.05(1) (Form #511: initial credential fee $60.00; $75.00 Wisconsin Law exam fee).
Clinical Exam Timing
The testing-service (clinical) examination must have been taken within one year immediately preceding application (Wis. Admin. Code § DE 2.01(2)(b)); Form #511 states the 1-year period immediately preceding application.
Cpr
Current proficiency in cardiopulmonary resuscitation including use of an automated external defibrillator from a Wisconsin DHS-approved provider (Wis. Stat. § 447.04(2)(a)5m.).
Education
Graduation from an accredited dental hygiene school (Wis. Stat. § 447.04(2)(a)3.; Wis. Admin. Code § DE 2.01(2)(c)); Form #511 requires the Certificate of Professional Education (Form 1463) sent directly by the school.
Named Agencies Merged Or Replaced
The Board page names WREB, CDCA and CITA, which merged into CDCA-WREB-CITA, the only provider of the ADEX Examination (ADEX leaf), and SRTA, whose examinations were replaced from 2026 by the CRDTS examinations (CRDTS leaves).
Other Board Approved Testing Services
Wis. Admin. Code § DE 2.01(2)(a)-(b) also accept other board-approved testing services; the Board page additionally accepts an "Examination administered by another state board that is approved by that board." Such examinations are accepted at the Board's approval and are not registered leaves.
Other Licensure
Verification letters from every state or country in which the applicant has been licensed; conviction (Form 2252) and malpractice (Form 2829) disclosures where applicable (Form #511 items 4, 8, 9).
Score Reports
National Board and regional examination score reports, passing and failing, must be sent directly by the testing agency (Form #511 items 2-3).
Unidentified Named Examination
The Board page also lists "COMBINED Regional Examination (CORE)"; no official source obtained identifies a currently offered examination under that name, so it is recorded here and not as a leaf.
Late renewal within 5 years after the renewal date (Wis. Admin. Code § DE 2.03(5)(a))
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Requirements
Renewal application, renewal fee plus late renewal fee, current CPR/AED proficiency and required continuing education (Wis. Admin. Code § DE 2.03(5)(a)).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-08-30.

Reinstatement (Wis. Admin. Code § DE 2.03(6))

At least one of the following alternatives:

  • 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)
  • CRDTS Dental Hygiene Patient-Based Exam (assessment without a question bank)
  • CRDTS Dental Hygiene Simulated Patient Exam (practice unavailable)
Applicability
A hygienist with unmet disciplinary requirements who failed to renew within 5 years, or whose license was denied at renewal, surrendered or revoked (Wis. Admin. Code § DE 2.03(6)).
Discipline
Evidence of completion of disciplinary requirements, if applicable, and evidence of rehabilitation or change in circumstances (Wis. Admin. Code § DE 2.03(6)(b)-(c)).
Examination When Inactive
The requirements of Wis. Admin. Code § DE 2.03(5)(b), including its examination alternative, apply only if the license has not been active within 5 years (Wis. Admin. Code § DE 2.03(6)(a)); the § DE 2.03(5)(b)3. alternatives (active license in another state, approved clinical education program) may be presented instead of an examination.
Biennial renewal (Wis. Stat. § 447.05(3); Wis. Admin. Code § DE 2.03(2))
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Deadline
By October 1 of each odd-numbered year (Wis. Admin. Code § DE 2.03(2)); the DSPS page states the renewal date as 09/30 of odd years under Wis. Stat. § 440.08(2).
Requirements
Renewal application, fee, current CPR/AED proficiency and 12 hours of continuing education (Wis. Admin. Code § DE 2.03(1)(a)-(d); Wis. Stat. § 447.055); continuing education not required for the first renewal (Wis. Admin. Code § DE 2.03(4)).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-08-30.

Renewal more than 5 years after the renewal date (Wis. Admin. Code § DE 2.03(5)(b))

At least one of the following alternatives:

  • 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)
  • CRDTS Dental Hygiene Patient-Based Exam (assessment without a question bank)
  • CRDTS Dental Hygiene Simulated Patient Exam (practice unavailable)
Alternatives To Examination
The rule requires evidence of one of: an active license in good standing in another state; successful completion of a board approved testing service examination within one year of renewal; completion of a one year general practice residency within one year of renewal; or completion of a clinical education program approved by the Board (Wis. Admin. Code § DE 2.03(5)(b)3.). An applicant presenting a non-examination alternative need not sit the examination.
Applicability
Does not apply to hygienists with unmet disciplinary requirements (Wis. Admin. Code § DE 2.03(5)(b)).
Exam Timing
The testing service examination must have been completed within one year of renewal.
Fees And Cpr
Renewal fee and late renewal fee; current CPR/AED proficiency (Wis. Admin. Code § DE 2.03(5)(b)1.-2.).
Other Board Approved Testing Services
Other board-approved testing service examinations are accepted at the Board's approval and are not registered leaves.
Reciprocal credential for service members, former service members and their spouses (Wis. Stat. § 440.09; Wis. Admin. Code § DE 2.035)
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application And Fee
Application form and fee under Wis. Stat. § 440.05(2); statement of Wisconsin residence and documentation or affidavit of service status (Wis. Admin. Code § DE 2.035(2)).
Eligibility
Service member, former service member (discharged other than dishonorably within 4 years) or spouse, residing in Wisconsin (Wis. Stat. § 440.09(1)-(2)(b)).
License Elsewhere
Holds a license, certification, registration or permit from a jurisdiction outside Wisconsin that qualifies the individual to perform dental hygiene, and is in good standing in every such jurisdiction (Wis. Stat. § 440.09(2)(c), (f); Wis. Admin. Code § DE 2.035(2)(e)).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-08-30.

Examination on Wisconsin Law (Dental Hygiene)

Provider
Wisconsin Dentistry Examining Board (Department of Safety and Professional Services), online test launching at eptol.drl.wi.gov
Format
Online open-book examination on the Wisconsin Statutes and Administrative Code
Time limit
Not timed; the candidate may exit and return any time over the next 3 months
Passing score
85%
Exam fee
$75.00
Examination outline
  • Wis. Admin. Code ch. DE 1 — Authority and Definitions
  • Wis. Admin. Code ch. DE 2 — Licensure
  • Wis. Admin. Code ch. DE 3 — Practice of Dental Hygiene
  • Wis. Admin. Code ch. DE 5 — Standards of Conduct
  • Wis. Admin. Code ch. DE 7 — Certification of Dental Hygienists to Administer Local Anesthesia
  • Wis. Admin. Code ch. DE 13 — Continuing Education
  • Wis. Admin. Code ch. DE 15 — Certification of Licensed Dental Hygienists to Administer Nitrous Oxide Inhalation Analgesia
  • Wis. Admin. Code ch. SPS 2 — Procedures for Pleading and Hearings
  • Wis. Stat. ch. 440 — Department of Safety and Professional Services
  • Wis. Stat. ch. 447 — Dentistry and Dental Hygiene
Examination sources

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