Steps to get licensed in California
- Graduate from an accredited dental hygiene program.
- If you trained outside California, complete California-approved courses in soft tissue curettage, local anesthesia, and nitrous oxide.
- Pass the NBDHE.
- Pass the ADEX or CRDTS clinical exam, unless you graduated from a California program and apply within three years of graduating.
- Complete radiation safety certification and hold current BLS certification.
- Submit Live Scan fingerprints and apply to the Dental Hygiene Board of California.
- After the board approves your application, pass the California Law and Ethics exam.
Board exams for California licensure
Every state requires the written National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE). For the hands-on clinical exam, California accepts ADEX or CRDTS. If you graduated from a California board-approved program and apply within three years of graduating, you don't need a clinical exam. Everyone else needs a passing ADEX or CRDTS score. You take the California Law and Ethics exam after the board approves your application.
The American Board of Dental Examiners (ADEX) exam. It was formerly given through CDCA-WREB-CITA, which included WREB and CITA.
The Central Regional Dental Testing Service exam. SRTA has merged into CRDTS.
Our dental hygiene board exam guide covers how the NBDHE works, how it's scored, and how to study.
Jurisprudence exam and local anesthesia
- Jurisprudence exam
- Required
California requires the Law and Ethics exam. You take it after the Dental Hygiene Board of California approves your application.
- Local anesthesia
- Part of licensure
California doesn't issue a separate local anesthesia permit. Local anesthesia training is part of California dental hygiene education. If you trained out of state, you complete a California-approved local anesthesia course before you're licensed.
Moving to California with a license from another state
California isn't a member of the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact.
If you're already licensed in another state, ask the Dental Hygiene Board of California about licensure by credentials (also called endorsement or reciprocity). Our guide to getting a dental hygiene license explains how it usually works.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to become a dental hygienist in California?
About 3 years. BLS says dental hygiene programs usually take 3 years. ADEA puts the average associate degree program at 2 years, and most applicants finish prerequisite courses first. Of the 26 schools with dental hygiene programs in California, 23 offer an associate degree and 5 offer a bachelor's degree. After you graduate, you pass the NBDHE and the California Law and Ethics exam, plus the ADEX or CRDTS clinical exam unless you graduated from a California program within the past three years, then the Dental Hygiene Board of California reviews your application. Dental hygiene schools in California
Can I transfer my dental hygiene license to California?
Not automatically. California isn't in the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact. If you're already licensed in another state, ask the Dental Hygiene Board of California about licensure by credentials (also called endorsement or reciprocity). How to get a dental hygiene license
Does California require a jurisprudence exam?
Yes. California requires the Law and Ethics exam. You take it after the Dental Hygiene Board of California approves your application.
Can dental hygienists give local anesthesia in California?
California doesn't issue a separate local anesthesia permit. Local anesthesia training is part of California dental hygiene education. If you trained out of state, you complete a California-approved local anesthesia course before you're licensed.
Which clinical exams does California accept?
California accepts ADEX or CRDTS. If you graduated from a California board-approved program and apply within three years of graduating, you don't need a clinical exam. Everyone else needs a passing ADEX or CRDTS score. You take the California Law and Ethics exam after the board approves your application. Dental hygiene board exam guide
Sources
Last verified September 28, 2026.
- dhbc.ca.gov /applicants/rdh_clincial.shtml
- dhbc.ca.gov /formspubs/rdh_informational.pdf
- crdts.org /srta
Rules change. Confirm with the Dental Hygiene Board of California before you rely on them. Official board site