The American Dental Hygienists' Association (ADHA®), in collaboration with CareQuest Institute for Oral Health, has introduced the Dental Hygienist Licensure Map—an online, interactive resource providing state-by-state information on licensure requirements for dental hygienists across the United States.
Designed to centralize information that was previously dispersed across various sources, the map offers detailed data across several licensure categories. These include initial licensure requirements, renewal and continuing education, licensure by credentials, specialty licensure, and compact status. It also outlines scope of practice and links users directly to state licensing boards.
“This interactive map represents a significant advancement in supporting our profession’s mobility and growth,” said Lancette VanGuilder, ADHA president. “By consolidating essential licensure information into an intuitive, visual format, we’re empowering dental hygienists to make informed decisions about their careers and practice locations.”
The tool addresses the need for a unified source of licensure information, reducing the time and effort previously required to navigate multiple documents and websites. CareQuest Institute supported the development of the map, citing its importance in strengthening the oral health workforce.
“Dental hygienists play a critical role in supporting community oral health by delivering preventive care, promoting health education, and serving as accessible, trusted providers—especially in underserved and high-need populations,” said Trenae Simpson, Senior Director, Philanthropy at CareQuest Institute. “Each of these components is essential if we are to reach a point where everyone has the same opportunity to maximize their health through oral health.”
The licensure map reflects ongoing efforts to improve access and equity in oral healthcare by clarifying licensure pathways and enabling more informed workforce planning and policy development.
Key elements of the resource include:
- Initial Licensure: Information about entry-level educational requirements, clinical examinations, and state-specific regulations.
- Renewal Requirements: Continuing education criteria, renewal timelines, and associated fees by state.
- Compact Participation: Visualization of states in the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Licensure Compact, facilitating licensure portability.
- Regulatory Access: Direct links to state boards and official licensure policies.
- Interface Design: A user-friendly format designed to simplify navigation and comparison across states.
The resource was developed over 6 months and drew on existing ADHA materials and other publicly available data. It covers all 50 states and US territories and will be updated twice per year to maintain accuracy.
“ADHA is grateful for CareQuest Institute’s support in making this practical resource available to our profession,” added VanGuilder. “Their partnership enables us to provide dental hygienists with the tools they need to navigate their professional requirements successfully.”
Additional features and updates are planned for future versions of the map. More information is available at adha.org/licensuremaps.
Figures and Images
ADHA/Carequest
