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How to become a licensed dental hygienist in South Carolina. Degree required: Graduation from a dental hygiene school approved by the Commission on Accreditation of Dental and Dental Auxiliary Education Programs of the ADA (CODA). NBDHE: required. Local anesthesia permitted. Total initial fees: varies. Verified 2026-03-08. Data verified 2026-03-08. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Dental Hygienist
Some information on this page has not been fully verified.
63% of data points are verified against official sources. 9 fields based on preliminary research. 9 fields need verification. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
Graduation from a dental hygiene school approved by the Commission on Accreditation of Dental and Dental Auxiliary Education Programs of the ADA (CODA)
Degree Required
Required
NBDHE
Required
Clinical Exam
Varies
Total Initial Fees
16 CE hours per biennial renewal period hrs
CE Hours
Allowed
Local Anesthesia
Degree Required
CODA-Accredited Program Required
Program Details
2-3 years
Program Length
Browse approved dental hygienist training programs to find the right fit.
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Required
NBDHE (National Board)
Required
Clinical Exam
Required
Jurisprudence Exam
National Board Exam (NBDHE)
VerifiedExam Name
National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE)
Passing Score
75%
Exam Format
350 multiple-choice questions (200 discipline-based + 150 case-based), computer-based, 9 hours
Clinical Exam
VerifiedAccepted Clinical Exams
State-Specific Exam
South Carolina state-specific clinical exam, offered 4 times per year
Jurisprudence Exam
Mostly verifiedExam Name
South Carolina Dental Jurisprudence Exam
Prepare with realistic NBDHE (National Board Dental Hygiene Exam) practice tests from Exam Edge →(affiliate link)
Study guides and practice tests for the NBDHE licensing exam.
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Official Title
Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH)
Requirements
CODA-accredited education, NBDHE, state-specific clinical exam, jurisprudence exam
Supervision
General supervision
Additional Requirements
Official Title
RDH with Expanded Practice Settings (2025 Bill 4169)
Requirements
RDH license; expanded practice settings authorized under 2025 Bill 4169
Supervision
Expanded settings via 2025 Bill 4169
Additional Requirements
Permitted Procedures
VerifiedAllowed
Local Anesthesia
Allowed
Nitrous Oxide
Not Allowed
Restorative Duties
Not Allowed
Laser Use
Notes
Local anesthesia limited to local infiltration ONLY (no nerve block injections). N2O authorized. Restorative and laser not authorized. 2025 Bill 4169 expands practice settings.
Permitted Supervision Arrangements
Mostly verifiedGeneral Supervision
Dentist authorizes procedures but need not be present
Direct Supervision
Dentist must be present in the facility
Indirect Supervision
Dentist has authorized procedures and is available
Unsupervised Practice
Hygienist can practice independently without a dentist
Notes
General supervision for standard practice; expanded settings via 2025 Bill 4169.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Exam Fee NBDHE fee paid to JCNDE/ADA | $560 |
Total Initial Fees Contact board for current fee schedule | Varies |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified2 years (biennial); cycle runs March 2 to March 1 of odd years
Renewal Period
16 CE hours per biennial renewal period hrs
CE Hours Required
CE Topics
Regulatory Board
Dental hygienist licenses must be renewed on schedule. Most states require continuing education covering infection control, CPR/BLS, ethics, and clinical topics relevant to dental hygiene practice.
For a deeper dive into CE requirements and deadlines, see our dental hygienist license renewal guide.
Out-of-State Reciprocity
Mostly verifiedAccepts Out-of-State Credentials
Reciprocity Type
By credentials
Transfer Details
Credentials-based reciprocity for out-of-state licensees
Additional Requirements for Transfer
Dental hygienist license reciprocity varies by state. Many states offer licensure by credentials or endorsement for hygienists with active licenses in other states, though additional exams or documentation may be required.
Use our reciprocity lookup tool to compare license transfer options across all 50 states.
CPR/BLS Certification Required
Background Check Required
State-specific clinical exam offered only 4 times per year; LA limited to local infiltration only (no nerve block injections); 2025 Bill 4169 expanded practice settings; 16 CE hours per biennium (below average)
State-specific clinical exam offered only 4 times per year -- scheduling is critical
Local anesthesia limited to infiltration ONLY (no nerve block injections)
2025 Bill 4169 expands practice settings
16 CE hours per biennium (below average)
Biennial renewal cycle
Dental hygienist scope of practice is expanding rapidly across states. Direct access, local anesthesia, nitrous oxide administration, and restorative functions vary significantly by state and may have changed since this data was last verified. Always confirm current scope with your state dental board.
Dental Hygienist requirements in nearby states
| State | Total Cost | Timeline | |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Carolina (you) | — | 112–226 wks | |
| Georgia | $100 | 112–226 wks | → |
| North Carolina | — | 112–226 wks | → |
Other professional licenses in South Carolina
See how South Carolina compares: Dental Hygienist License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
More rankings: Lowest Renewal Cost · Fewest CE Hours
Related Guides
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in South Carolina.
Dental Hygienist Schools in South Carolina
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#42 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Dental Hygienists (SOC 29-1292)
Entry Level
$77,420
25th percentile
Median
$81,710
-13% vs. national avg ($94,260)Experienced
$91,810
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
3,200 employed in this state
Source: BLS OEWS – Dental Hygienists (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+4.7%
Average GrowthNew Jobs
+10,200
over 10 years
Annual Openings
12,200
per year (avg.)
218,200 currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Dental Career Ladder+245% salary growth potential
You are here
Dental Hygienist
$81,710
Associate/bachelor's in dental hygiene + NBDHE
Dental assisting program (9-12 months)
$45,930
You are here
Dental Hygienist
Associate/bachelor's in dental hygiene + NBDHE
$81,710
DDS/DMD degree (4 years) + INBDE
$158,460
Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024 for this state. Career paths represent common advancement routes — actual progression may vary. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook
NBDHE (National Board Dental Hygiene Examination) — 2021-2024National rate
92%
First-time Pass Rate
Based on 8,000 candidates
77% including all attempts. 350-question exam with ~8,000 candidates annually.
Source: ADA Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations / Industry Estimates (2024)
Pass rates are approximate national averages and may vary by state, exam provider, and candidate preparation.
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Estimated total: 112–226 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: South Carolina Board of Dentistry — Licensing Requirements
4–8 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: South Carolina Board of Dentistry — Licensing Requirements
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South Carolina requires a Graduation from a dental hygiene school approved by the Commission on Accreditation of Dental and Dental Auxiliary Education Programs of the ADA (CODA) from a CODA-accredited program. The NBDHE is required. Dental hygienists may administer local anesthesia. All licensing is managed through the South Carolina Board of Dentistry.
Requirements vary by state. Always verify current requirements with your state dental board.