How to Work in the U.S. As a Foreign-Educated Dental Hygienist

Moving to the United States to work as a foreign-educated dental hygienist can be a complicated process, as there are many steps and basic requirements you will need to fulfill before licensure and a U.S. work visa are awarded. However, there are many advantages to moving to the United States and working in this profession.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average dental hygienist makes an estimated $60,100 to $100,200 per year, with the job outlook for this profession expected to grow 9 percent by 2031. To achieve this, you need to get your credentials recognized and complete the process of immigrating to the U.S. as a foreign-educated dental hygienist.

Our guide gives you details about this process and touches on important points such as:

• What Is the Process for Working in the U.S. As a Foreign-Educated Dental Hygienist?
• How Much Does It Cost to Work as a Foreign-Educated Dental Hygienist in the U.S.?
• How Long Does It Take To Work as a Foreign-Educated Dental Hygienist in the U.S.?
• Are There Any Restrictions to Working as a Foreign-Educated Dental Hygienist in the U.S.?
• What Are the State-Specific Requirements for Foreign-Educated Dental Hygienists?
• What Are the Immigration Requirements for Foreign-Educated Dental Hygienists?
• Where Can I Get a Certified Translation?

What Is the Process for Working in the U.S. As a Foreign-Educated Dental Hygienist?

This process may be lengthy and has many state-specific components, making it important to select the state you wish to work in before getting started on the steps below. Steps for becoming a foreign-educated dental hygienist in the U.S. include:

1. All dental hygienists in the United States must obtain a license to practice through the applicable state board. State requirements for licensing can vary, but almost every state will require that you obtain a dental hygienist education through a program accredited by the American Dental Association’s Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). These programs may be for an associate’s, bachelor’s, or master’s degree, and you may be able to transfer over some of your credits from your foreign dental hygienist education so you can graduate earlier. A credential evaluation will be required to see if your foreign credentials meet the U.S. equivalency and most programs will have a credential evaluation service they prefer you use. You can also choose a service from the reputable organizations that are part of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or the Association of International Credential Evaluators (AICE).
   You will most likely need certified translations of your original academic documents to obtain a credential evaluation, and admission into an accredited dental hygienist program often requires you also pass the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) if you are coming from a country where English is not one of the main spoken languages. Make sure you work with the program where you are applying to ensure you meet all necessary immigration and student visa requirements so you can complete your studies without interruption.
2. After you’ve obtained your dental hygienist education in the U.S., you will need to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE). All states require passing scores on this exam before you are eligible to apply for licensing in that state.
3. Make sure you meet all state-specific requirements that are part of a dental hygienist license application. In addition to passing the NBDHE, you will most likely be required to pass a clinical state or regional examination, pay licensing fees, and fill out an application form. You might also need to submit background checks and proof of your right to work in the U.S.
4. Obtain a visa or green card in order to legally work in your chosen state as a dental hygienist. Review information on the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services website for details about immigration methods you might be eligible for as you transition from a student visa to a working visa.

Once you’ve received state licensure and a U.S. visa, you are free to practice as a dental hygienist in your chosen state. Make sure that you keep in mind any continuing education and license renewal requirements your state lists so that you can practice without issue.

How Much Does It Cost to Work as a Foreign-Educated Dental Hygienist in the U.S.?

The cost of working in the U.S. as a foreign-educated dental hygienist includes the cost of obtaining an education from an accredited U.S. dental hygienist program, something required before you are eligible for state licensure. This cost varies depending on the type of program you are enrolled in and the degree you are working towards (either an associate, bachelor’s, or master’s), but the average cost ranges from $22,000 to around $31,000.

State licensing fees for dental hygienists vary, though you can expect this cost to be around $200 to $400, in addition to any background check, examination, and other state-specific fees. If you need to take the TOEFL or the IELTS, that is also an additional cost of a few hundred dollars plus the cost of preparation materials. The cost of registering for the NBDHE, required of all dental hygienist applicants, is $265, not including the cost of any preparation materials or other exam-related fees.

Make sure you note that most states require dental hygienists to renew their license every one to three years, something that may include license renewal fees or the costs of obtaining continuing education credits.

How Long Does It Take To Work as a Foreign-Educated Dental Hygienist in the U.S.?

The process of becoming a foreign-educated dental hygienist in the U.S. can be quite lengthy for a few reasons. First of all, obtaining an accredited dental hygienist education requires at least two years, but can take up to four depending on the degree program you choose to enroll in. If you need to take additional tests, such as the TOEFL or the IELTS, this also adds additional studying and testing time.

After graduation, you will need to take the NBDHE, something that takes a minimum of three months to study for but may take closer to six months to pass. State license examinations, background checks, and any clinical examinations are often required before you get a license; this makes the entire state dental hygienist license application process extend several months in many states.

In addition to these requirements, you will need to apply for a work visa or green card. These applications are lengthy and also have many steps as part of the process, and the wait times for many visa or green card applications extend between 13 and 24 months. You may be able to cut down on some of this time by applying for your state license and visa simultaneously.

Are There Any Restrictions to Working as a Foreign-Educated Dental Hygienist in the U.S.?

Once you have met all the education requirements for a dental hygienist, you’ve successfully applied for and received your state dental hygienist license, and you’ve received your visa or green card so you can legally work in your chosen state, you can practice as a dental hygienist without restrictions.

Make sure that you keep in mind any continuing education or license renewal requirements for your chosen state so you can practice as a dental hygienist uninterrupted.

What Are the State-Specific Requirements for Foreign-Educated Dental Hygienists?

State requirements for dental hygienist licenses vary, but you can expect every state to require that you obtain a dental hygienist education from an accredited program in the U.S. Every state also requires successful completion of the NBDHE, in addition to specific clinical state or regional exams. You may be required to pass an exam hosted by one of the following agencies depending on your state’s specific requirements:

• The Commission on Dental Competency Assessments
• Council of Interstate Testing Agencies
• Southern Regional Testing Agency
• Central Regional Dental Testing Service
• Western Regional Examining Board

As an alternative to being awarded a state dental hygienist license with education and state clinical or regional examination, you may be able to apply by credentials alone in some states. This typically requires demonstrating to the state board that you have graduated from an accredited dental hygienist program, or its equivalent, and that you have previous experience practicing as a dental hygienist. It’s important to review your chosen state’s rules and regulations surrounding this so you gain a more detailed understanding of what might be required of you to achieve a state dental hygienist license this way.

You should also make sure that you review your state’s ongoing requirements when it comes to continuing education and license renewal, including any license renewal timelines and fees that may apply.

Find more detailed information on state dental boards and dental hygienist license applications by utilizing the directory provided by the American Association of Dental Boards.

What Are the Immigration Requirements for Foreign-Educated Dental Hygienists?

Most foreign-educated dental hygienists will need to obtain an education from an accredited program in the United States. This means that a student visa is typically applicable as you travel to the U.S. to complete your studies.

After graduation, there are a few different visa types that foreign-educated dental hygienists might be eligible to apply for. These include the H-1B visa for specialty occupations and employment-based visas such as the EB-2 and EB-3 visas. You should consult with an immigration lawyer to figure out which visa works the best for your situation, whether or not you should submit a green card application instead of a visa, and receive guidance on the application process.

Where Can I Get a Certified Translation?

Obtaining accurate certified translations of your original academic documents is essential to the process of working in the U.S. as a foreign-educated dental hygienist. You will most likely need to submit certified translations alongside your original documents to credential evaluation services in order to show you meet certain education requirements and are eligible to enroll, or skip certain classes, in an accredited dental hygienist education program. These documents may also be required by state dental hygienist licensing boards or even as part of your visa or green card application.

You can obtain a certified translation of the following important documents, and many other documents, through our online store:

• Diplomas
• Academic transcripts
• Business licenses and certifications
• Resumes and employment records
• Birth certificates

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