Are dental hygiene licenses granted by reciprocity?

Licenses for dental hygiene are generally not granted by reciprocity, which means that a dental hygienist cannot simply transfer their license from one state to another based solely on their existing credentials. Each state has its own licensing requirements, which often include passing specific examinations or fulfilling additional educational criteria that may not align with those of another state.

While some states may have agreements to recognize each other's licenses, this is not universal and often depends on the specific laws and regulations within each state. For dental hygienists, the emphasis is typically on ensuring that all practitioners meet the distinct standards required by the state in which they intend to practice, thus maintaining a consistent level of care and safety for patients.

In contrast, other professions might have more flexible arrangements for reciprocity, but dental hygiene remains more stringent due to the critical nature of the work involved in patient care and the need for compliance with varying state laws.