Dental Hygienist License in Florida

Florida requires dental hygienist applicants to complete an accredited degree program, pass the NBDHE, and a third-party clinical examination. Felony convictions are specifically prohibited for licensure under Florida Statutes Chapter 466. CE is required for biennial renewal, typically 24 hours per two-year period including mandatory courses in prevention of medical errors and domestic violence awareness. Florida offers expedited processing for military applicants and temporary licenses for military spouses. The Florida Department of Health, Division of Medical Quality Assurance, through the Board of Dentistry oversees dental hygienist licensing. Florida is one of the largest dental markets in the nation, with particularly high demand driven by an aging population and significant retiree migration to communities throughout South Florida, the Gulf Coast, and Central Florida. The state has multiple CODA-accredited dental hygiene programs, including programs at Miami Dade College, Santa Fe College, Palm Beach State College, Broward College, and Valencia College. Florida does not permit independent or unsupervised dental hygiene practice, requiring either direct or general supervision by a licensed dentist for all clinical procedures performed by hygienists.