How to Become a Dental Hygienist in Washington State

Help people smile brighter.

Dental hygiene is a rewarding career enabling you will work with people to maintain oral health. Each day, you will be improving your patient's self-esteem through dental care, and you will be helping to spot potentially life-threatening problems such as oral cancer. Each state has different requirements for becoming a dental hygienist. In Washington, the Washington State Department of Health is the governing body for dental hygienists and has unique exam requirements.

Instructions

1. Get a hygiene diploma from an accredited dental hygiene school. You can get this diploma by completing a two-year associate's degree or a bachelor's or master's degree in dental hygiene. You must have this degree before being allowed to take the Washington exams.

2. 

   Keep records of the classes you have taken.

   Complete seven hours of education in AIDS. You can contact the local Washington State Dental Hygiene Examining Committee to find classes near you or find online classes you can take. Past classes you have taken in school may count toward your hours.

3. 

   You will need to pass five exams.

   Pass five exams in Washington. Four of these exams are similar to those found in other states: the Dental Hygiene National Board exam, the Western Regional Examining Board (WREB) test, the WREB in anesthesia and the WREB in restorative dentistry. The exam that is specific to the state is the Washington State Drug and Law exam. Once you have passed these exams, you will be allowed to apply for your license.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep your most up-to-date address on file with the Washington State Dental Hygiene Examining Committee as the committee will send you notices via the USPS.

• In the state of Washington, your dental-hygiene license will expire each year on your date of birth. Be sure to renew it in time.

References

• Washington State Dental Hygienist's Association

Resources

• Washington State Dental Hygiene Examining Committee