Dental Hygienist License in Washington

Washington requires dental hygienist applicants to graduate from a CODA-accredited dental hygiene program and pass the NBDHE plus a clinical examination, typically the WREB. The Washington State Department of Health, Dental Quality Assurance Commission oversees dental hygienist licensing. CE is required for annual license renewal, typically 15 hours per year. Washington was an early adopter of expanded dental hygiene practice and has implemented provisions for dental hygienists to perform certain restorative functions with additional training, one of a small number of states allowing hygienists to place restorations. The state also permits local anesthesia administration with certification. Washington has CODA-accredited programs at the University of Washington, Clark College, Yakima Valley College, Lake Washington Institute of Technology, and several community colleges. The Seattle-Tacoma metropolitan area offers a highly competitive employment market with above-average salaries reflecting the region's high cost of living and thriving technology economy. Eastern Washington, particularly agricultural communities in the Yakima Valley and Columbia Basin, faces significant dental professional shortages. Washington's progressive approach to dental workforce development has served as a model for other states considering expanded practice.