Licensing guide · Alberta

How to Become a Dental Hygienist in Alberta

Last checked 7 sources checkedNOC 32111

Do you need a licence?

Licence required

You must be registered with the Alberta College of Dental Hygienists to work as a dental hygienist in Alberta or to use a protected title.

Protected titles
Not listed in the sources checked
Show the source
“Under Alberta’s Health Professions Act [pdf], Health Professions Restricted Activity Regulation [pdf] and Dental Hygienists Profession Regulation [pdf], registration with the Alberta College of Dental Hygienists (ACDH) is mandatory.”

From alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/dental-hygienist, checked October 10, 2026.

At a glance

Licence status
Licence required See the source
Routes
Annual fees

Your roadmap

Every route is listed. Follow the one that matches where you trained.

Trained in Canada

  • Listed one-time fees: $350
  • 2 fees depend on your situation and are not in the total
  • 4 steps without a listed fee
  • Annual fees: $868.80

  1. The applicant completes an approved or accredited dental hygiene education program.

    Source
    “To register as a dental hygienist in Alberta, you need to successfully complete: - An approved dental hygiene program”
    alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/dental-hygienist

  2. The applicant successfully completes the National Dental Hygiene Certification Exam.

    Source
    “The National Dental Hygiene Certification Exam (NDHCE)”
    alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/dental-hygienist

  3. The applicant creates an applicant profile to start the application process.

    Source
    “Click here to Create an Applicant Profile to start the application process.”
    acdh.ca/registering-as-a-dental-hygienist/dental-hygienists-working...

  4. The applicant submits the online application form with the required documents and the application fee.

    Source
    “The application process starts when you submit your online application form, including the non-refundable application fee through the Applicant Portal.”
    acdh.ca/registering-as-a-dental-hygienist/registration-faqs

  5. The applicant completes the ACDH jurisprudence modules and exam through the Applicant Portal.

    Source
    “The ACDH Jurisprudence Examination is a series of learning modules and exams accessible through the College's secure learning management system, Skyprep.”
    acdh.ca/registering-as-a-dental-hygienist/registration-faqs

  6. After the application is approved, the applicant pays the permit fee before being entered on the General Register.

    Source
    “When an application for registration is approved, the applicant must pay the $599 Permit Fee before the College can enter their name on the General Register and issue a unique Registration Number and Practice Permit.”
    acdh.ca/registering-as-a-dental-hygienist/dental-hygienists-working...

Listed fees for this route

One-time total listed: $350

One-time fees listed for Trained in Canada, by type
Fee typeAmountShare
Application $350 100%
One-time total $350 100%

2 fees depend on your situation and are not in the total.

4 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.

Annual fees: $868.80 a year Paid every year, so not part of the one-time total.

Official page for this route

Licensed in another province

  • Listed one-time fees: $949
  • 2 steps without a listed fee
  • Annual fees: $868.80

  1. The applicant creates an applicant profile to start the application process.

    Source
    “Click here to Create an Applicant Profile to start the application process.”
    acdh.ca/registering-as-a-dental-hygienist/dental-hygienists-working...

  2. The applicant completes the required online application form, entering or uploading the required information and documents, including a verification of registration from their regulatory body, and pays the application fee.

    Source
    “As part of the required online application form, applicants must enter or upload the following:”
    acdh.ca/registering-as-a-dental-hygienist/dental-hygienists-working...

  3. The applicant completes the ACDH Jurisprudence Modules and Examination if they have not done the exam in the last 3 years.

    Source
    “Completion information from the ACDH Jurisprudence Modules and Examination if the applicant has not done the exam in the last 3 years )available on the Applicant Portal)”
    acdh.ca/registering-as-a-dental-hygienist/courtesy-registration

  4. After the application is approved, the applicant pays the permit fee before being entered on the General Register.

    Source
    “When an application for registration is approved, the applicant must pay the $599 Permit Fee before the College can enter their name on the General Register and issue a unique Registration Number and Practice Permit.”
    acdh.ca/registering-as-a-dental-hygienist/dental-hygienists-working...

Listed fees for this route

One-time total listed: $949

One-time fees listed for Licensed in another province, by type
Fee typeAmountShare
Application $949 100%
One-time total $949 100%

2 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.

Annual fees: $868.80 a year Paid every year, so not part of the one-time total.

Official page for this route

Trained outside Canada

  • Listed one-time fees: $350
  • 2 fees depend on your situation and are not in the total
  • 3 steps without a listed fee
  • Annual fees: $868.80

  1. The applicant successfully completes the Canadian Performance Examination in Dental Hygiene as part of a complete application.

    Source
    “Applicants from an international dental hygiene program are required to successfully complete the Canadian Performance Examination in Dental Hygiene (CPEDH) as part of a complete application.”
    acdh.ca/registering-as-a-dental-hygienist/internationally-trained-d...

  2. The applicant may obtain an equivalency assessment of their studies through a recognized assessment service.

    Source
    “An equivalency assessment provides an assessment of your studies in Canadian terms. This assists the ACDH in understanding your educational background.”
    acdh.ca/registering-as-a-dental-hygienist/internationally-trained-d...

  3. The applicant creates an applicant profile to start the application process.

    Source
    “Click here to Create an Applicant Profile to start the application process.”
    acdh.ca/registering-as-a-dental-hygienist/internationally-trained-d...

  4. The applicant submits the online application form with the required documents and the application fee.

    Source
    “Applicants are required to submit the $350 application fee when they submit their application for registration.”
    acdh.ca/registering-as-a-dental-hygienist/internationally-trained-d...

  5. After the application is approved, the applicant pays the permit fee before being entered on the General Register.

    • Practice Permit Fee: $350 (for internationally trained applicants applying within 12 months of graduation)
      Source
      “Registration as an internationally trained dental hygienist<br>(Applying within 12 months of graduation) | $350 | $350 | $700”
      acdh.ca/registering-as-a-dental-hygienist/acdh-fee-schedule
    • Practice Permit Fee: $599 (for internationally trained applicants applying more than 12 months after graduation)
      Source
      “Registration as an internationally trained dental hygienist<br>(Applying more than 12 months after graduation) | $350 | $599 | $949”
      acdh.ca/registering-as-a-dental-hygienist/acdh-fee-schedule
    Source
    “When an application for registration is approved, the applicant must pay the $599 Permit Fee before the College can enter their name on the General Register and issue a unique Registration Number and Practice Permit.”
    acdh.ca/registering-as-a-dental-hygienist/internationally-trained-d...

Listed fees for this route

One-time total listed: $350

One-time fees listed for Trained outside Canada, by type
Fee typeAmountShare
Application $350 100%
One-time total $350 100%

2 fees depend on your situation and are not in the total.

3 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.

Annual fees: $868.80 a year Paid every year, so not part of the one-time total.

Official page for this route

Other listed fees

The regulator lists these without tying them to one step, so they are not in the route totals above. Check which apply to you.

  • Letter of Good Standing: $25 (per letter)
    Source
    “The fee to request a letter of good standing is $25 per letter.”
    acdh.ca/registering-as-a-dental-hygienist/acdh-fee-schedule
  • Review of a Registration Decision: $750 (per request)
    Source
    “The fee to request a review of a registration decision is $750 per request.”
    acdh.ca/registering-as-a-dental-hygienist/acdh-fee-schedule
  • Review of a Complaint Decision: $250 (per request)
    Source
    “The fee to request a review complaint decision is $250 per request.”
    acdh.ca/registering-as-a-dental-hygienist/acdh-fee-schedule
  • Misconduct Levy: $1,000 (for registrants practicing with a suspended, cancelled, or otherwise invalid practice permit)
    Source
    “Registrants who practice dental hygiene with a suspended, cancelled, or otherwise invalid practice permit may be subject to a misconduct levy. This levy is a minimum of $1,000.”
    acdh.ca/registering-as-a-dental-hygienist/acdh-fee-schedule
  • Follow-Up Inspection Fee: $1,000 (when the Registrar determines a follow-up inspection is needed)
    Source
    “the registrant will be subject to a $1,000 follow-up inspection fee.”
    acdh.ca/registering-as-a-dental-hygienist/acdh-fee-schedule
  • Permit Fee (Courtesy Register): $350 (for registration on the Courtesy Register)
    Source
    “$350 for registration on the Courtesy Register”
    acdh.ca/registering-as-a-dental-hygienist/registration-faqs
  • Registration as a new dental hygiene graduate (Applying within 12 months of graduation): TOTAL: $700 (for applicants who have never been registered with the ACDH (or CRDHA or ADHA), applying within 12 months of graduation)
    Source
    “| Registration as a new dental hygiene graduate<br>(Applying within 12 months of graduation) | $350 | $350 | $700 |”
    acdh.ca/registering-as-a-dental-hygienist/acdh-fee-schedule
  • Registration as a new dental hygiene graduate (Applying more than 12 months after graduation): Application Fee: $350 (for applicants who have never been registered with the ACDH (or CRDHA or ADHA), applying more than 12 months after graduation)
    Source
    “| Registration as a new dental hygiene graduate<br>(Applying more than 12 months after graduation) | $350 | $599 | $949 |”
    acdh.ca/registering-as-a-dental-hygienist/acdh-fee-schedule
  • Registration as a new dental hygiene graduate (Applying more than 12 months after graduation): TOTAL: $949 (for applicants who have never been registered with the ACDH (or CRDHA or ADHA), applying more than 12 months after graduation)
    Source
    “| Registration as a new dental hygiene graduate<br>(Applying more than 12 months after graduation) | $350 | $599 | $949 |”
    acdh.ca/registering-as-a-dental-hygienist/acdh-fee-schedule
  • Registration as a dental hygienist working in another jurisdiction: Application Fee: $350 (for dental hygienists working in another jurisdiction who have never been registered with the ACDH (or CRDHA or ADHA))
    Source
    “| Registration as a dental hygienist working in another jurisdiction | $350 | $599 | $949 |”
    acdh.ca/registering-as-a-dental-hygienist/acdh-fee-schedule
  • Registration as a dental hygienist working in another jurisdiction: Practice Permit Fee: $599 (for dental hygienists working in another jurisdiction who have never been registered with the ACDH (or CRDHA or ADHA))
    Source
    “| Registration as a dental hygienist working in another jurisdiction | $350 | $599 | $949 |”
    acdh.ca/registering-as-a-dental-hygienist/acdh-fee-schedule
  • Registration as a dental hygienist working in another jurisdiction: TOTAL: $949 (for dental hygienists working in another jurisdiction who have never been registered with the ACDH (or CRDHA or ADHA))
    Source
    “| Registration as a dental hygienist working in another jurisdiction | $350 | $599 | $949 |”
    acdh.ca/registering-as-a-dental-hygienist/acdh-fee-schedule
  • Registration as an internationally trained dental hygienist (Applying within 12 months of graduation): TOTAL: $700 (for internationally trained applicants who have never been registered with the ACDH (or CRDHA or ADHA), applying within 12 months of graduation)
    Source
    “| Registration as an internationally trained dental hygienist<br>(Applying within 12 months of graduation) | $350 | $350 | $700 |”
    acdh.ca/registering-as-a-dental-hygienist/acdh-fee-schedule
  • Registration as an internationally trained dental hygienist (Applying more than 12 months after graduation): Application Fee: $350 (for internationally trained applicants who have never been registered with the ACDH (or CRDHA or ADHA), applying more than 12 months after graduation)
    Source
    “| Registration as an internationally trained dental hygienist<br>(Applying more than 12 months after graduation) | $350 | $599 | $949 |”
    acdh.ca/registering-as-a-dental-hygienist/acdh-fee-schedule
  • Registration as an internationally trained dental hygienist (Applying more than 12 months after graduation): TOTAL: $949 (for internationally trained applicants who have never been registered with the ACDH (or CRDHA or ADHA), applying more than 12 months after graduation)
    Source
    “| Registration as an internationally trained dental hygienist<br>(Applying more than 12 months after graduation) | $350 | $599 | $949 |”
    acdh.ca/registering-as-a-dental-hygienist/acdh-fee-schedule

Requirements

Conditions the regulator sets on top of the roadmap steps.

Education

  • Applicants must have completed either a Council-approved dental hygiene program or a program deemed substantially equivalent to it.

    Source
    “Under our legislation, applicants for registration in Alberta must have completed either a Council-approved dental hygiene program, or a program that has been deemed substantially equivalent to the Council-approved dental hygiene program.”
    acdh.ca/registering-as-a-dental-hygienist/registration-faqs

Police check

  • Applicants must obtain and submit a vulnerable sector check to the College.

    Source
    “Applicants must obtain and submit a vulnerable sector check to the College that meets the requirements listed in section 4 in the Registration and Practice Permit Renewal Policy.”
    acdh.ca/registering-as-a-dental-hygienist/courtesy-registration

Good character

Other

  • All registrants must successfully complete the Canadian National Dental Hygiene Certification Examination as a condition for registration.

    Source
    “All registrants must successfully complete the Canadian National Dental Hygiene Certification Examination (NDHCE) as a condition for registration.”
    acdh.ca/about/what-is-a-registered-dental-hygienist

  • Applicants must complete the “Protecting Patients from Sexual Abuse and Misconduct” e-learning course and upload the completion certificate.

    Source
    “Completion information from the “Protecting Patients from Sexual Abuse and Misconduct” e-learning course (available on the Applicant Portal).”
    acdh.ca/registering-as-a-dental-hygienist/dental-hygienists-working...

  • Applicants on the other-province route must hold active registration in another Canadian jurisdiction to apply.

    Source
    “You must have active registration in another Canadian jurisdiction in order to apply for registration with the ACDH.”
    acdh.ca/registering-as-a-dental-hygienist/dental-hygienists-working...

  • Applicants educated outside Canada or the US must provide evidence of successful completion of the CPEDH as part of their application.

    Source
    “Applicants who received their dental hygiene education outside of Canada or the US must provide evidence of successful completion of the CPEDH as part of their application for registration.”
    acdh.ca/registering-as-a-dental-hygienist/internationally-trained-d...

  • Applicants may be required to successfully complete an additional competence assessment if they are a new graduate from a non-accredited program, from a program not substantially equivalent, or an internationally trained dental hygienist.

    Source
    “You may be require to successfully complete an additional competence assessment if one of the following applies to you:”
    acdh.ca/registering-as-a-dental-hygienist/registration-faqs

Already licensed in another province?

Direct transfer

Registered dental hygienists from other provinces must still apply for registration in Alberta but can do so without undergoing significant additional training, examination or assessment.

Source
“Registered dental hygienists from other provinces, while still required to apply for registration in Alberta, can do so without undergoing significant additional training, examination or assessment.”
acdh.ca/about/what-is-a-registered-dental-hygienist

Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with ACDH

Check a move between two provinces

Credential assessment

Exams

Language tests

No minimum test score stated by the regulator Check with ACDH

Exemptions: Applicants must only provide language proficiency test results if their dental hygiene education and exams were NOT done in English.

Source
“Applicants must only provide language proficiency test results if their dental hygiene education and exams were NOT done in English.”
acdh.ca/registering-as-a-dental-hygienist/dental-hygienists-working...

Compare scores across provinces and professions

Canadian experience

Practice hours are counted if they were worked in the 3 years immediately preceding when the application for registration is considered complete.

Source
“Practice hours are counted if they were worked in the 3 years immediately preceding when your application for registration is considered complete.”
acdh.ca/registering-as-a-dental-hygienist/dental-hygienists-working...

Supervised practice

Not required

There is no requirement for a dentist to examine a patient prior to dental hygiene treatment or for the dental hygienist to obtain an order to provide services.

Source
“There is no requirement for a dentist to examine a patient prior to dental hygiene treatment or for the dental hygienist to obtain an “order” to provide services.”
acdh.ca/registering-as-a-dental-hygienist/dental-hygienists-working...

Demand and pay

Job Bank figures for NOC 32111, Dental hygienists and dental therapists. Wages for 2023-2024 in Canadian dollars an hour; outlook for 2025-2027.

Job Bank wages and outlook in Alberta and Canada
WhereLowMedianHighOutlook
Alberta $50.00 $60.00 $75.00 Good (4 of 5)
Canada $32.00 $45.00 $60.00 —

Wages by region and job outlook in Alberta

Wages in every province and territory

Dental hygienists in other provinces and territories

Regulated in 8 of the other 12 jurisdictions checked so far. The rules differ from one place to the next.

Compare dental hygienist licensing across Canada

Sources checked

Pages read on October 10, 2026.

  1. Dental Hygienist: Certifications in Alberta - alis alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/dental-hygienist · fetched October 10, 2026
  2. Registration FAQs: The Alberta College of Dental Hygienists acdh.ca/registering-as-a-dental-hygienist/registration-faqs · fetched October 10, 2026
  3. Dental Hygienists Working in Other Jurisdictions: The Alberta College of Dental Hygienists acdh.ca/registering-as-a-dental-hygienist/dental-hygienists-working... · fetched October 10, 2026
  4. ACDH Fee Schedule: The Alberta College of Dental Hygienists acdh.ca/registering-as-a-dental-hygienist/acdh-fee-schedule · fetched October 10, 2026
  5. Courtesy Registration: The Alberta College of Dental Hygienists acdh.ca/registering-as-a-dental-hygienist/courtesy-registration · fetched October 10, 2026
  6. Internationally Trained Dental Hygienists: The Alberta College of Dental Hygienists acdh.ca/registering-as-a-dental-hygienist/internationally-trained-d... · fetched October 10, 2026
  7. What is a Registered Dental Hygienist?: The Alberta College of Dental Hygienists acdh.ca/about/what-is-a-registered-dental-hygienist · fetched October 10, 2026

Frequently asked questions

2

Do you need a licence to work as a dental hygienist in Alberta?

Yes. Registration with the Alberta College of Dental Hygienists is required to practise in Alberta.

Which exams are required?

National Dental Hygiene Certification Exam (NDHCE), ACDH Jurisprudence Examination, Canadian Performance Examination in Dental Hygiene (CPEDH).

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