How to Become a Dental Hygienist in Nova Scotia
Do you need a licence?
Licence required
You must be registered with the Nova Scotia Regulator of Dental Hygiene, Dental Technology, and Denturism to work as a dental hygienist in Nova Scotia or to use a protected title.
- Protected titles
- dental hygienist
Show the source
“If you wish to work as a dental hygienist in Nova Scotia, you must be registered and licensed with the Nova Scotia Regulator of Dental Hygiene, Dental Technology, and Denturism (NSRDHDTD).”
From oralhealthns.ca/registration-as-a-dental-hygienist, checked October 10, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Licence required See the source
- Routes
-
- Trained in Canada: 6 steps
- Licensed in another province: 4 steps, listed one-time fees $50
- Trained outside Canada: 8 steps
- Annual fees
- Not stated by the regulator Check with Nova Scotia Regulator of Dental Hygiene, Dental Technology, and Denturism
Your roadmap
Tick each step as you finish it. Your ticks are kept in this browser only.
Trained in Canada
0 of 6 done
- 6 steps without a listed fee
-
You establish academic eligibility by completing an accredited dental hygiene program.
Source
“Successfully complete the National Dental Hygiene Certification Examination (NDHCE) written exam.”
oralhealthns.ca/registration-as-a-dental-hygienist/approved-dh-prog... -
You must successfully complete the written National Dental Hygiene Certification Examination.
Source
“Complete online registration and licensing application form, with application fee.”
oralhealthns.ca/registration-as-a-dental-hygienist/approved-dh-prog... -
You complete the online registration and licensing application form and pay the application fee.
Source
“Compile required documentation.”
oralhealthns.ca/registration-as-a-dental-hygienist/approved-dh-prog... -
You gather and submit the required documentation for your application.
Source
“Complete registration and licensing process, including payment of final fees.”
oralhealthns.ca/registration-as-a-dental-hygienist/approved-dh-prog... -
You finish the registration and licensing process, including paying the final fees.
Source
“Complete interview with the Registrar.”
oralhealthns.ca/registration-as-a-dental-hygienist/approved-dh-prog... -
You complete a virtual interview with the Registrar, which is booked once the rest of the registration process is complete.
Source
“Applicants are required to meet with the Registrar, virtually.”
oralhealthns.ca/registration-as-a-dental-hygienist/approved-dh-prog...
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Nova Scotia Regulator of Dental Hygiene, Dental Technology, and Denturism
6 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Licensed in another province
0 of 4 done
- Listed one-time fees: $50
- 3 steps without a listed fee
-
You complete Part A of the Verification of Registration form and send it to each jurisdiction where you are or were licensed, and the regulator there completes Part B and sends it to the NSRDHDTD.
Source
“Complete Part A of the NSRDHDTD Verification of Registration Form and send it directly to each jurisdiction where you are, or have been previously certified, licensed, or registered as a dental hygienist.”
oralhealthns.ca/registration-as-a-dental-hygienist/dh-applicants-cu... -
You successfully complete the Nova Scotia Jurisprudence Examination, for which you must first submit a registration application to receive the exam link.
- Jurisprudence Exam: $50
Source
“The cost to take the online exam is $50.”
oralhealthns.ca/registration-as-a-dental-hygienist/dh-applicants-cu...
Source
“Applicants must successfully complete a jurisprudence exam for Nova Scotia which assesses an applicant’s understanding of the legislation, standards of practice, and other matters relevant to practising in Nova Scotia.”
oralhealthns.ca/registration-as-a-dental-hygienist/dh-applicants-cu... - Jurisprudence Exam: $50
-
You complete the registration and licensing process, including payment of all fees before your application is considered complete.
Source
“All fees must be paid before your application will be considered complete.”
oralhealthns.ca/registration-as-a-dental-hygienist/dh-applicants-cu... -
You complete a virtual interview with the Registrar, which is booked once the rest of the registration process is complete.
Source
“Applicants are required to meet with the Registrar, virtually.”
oralhealthns.ca/registration-as-a-dental-hygienist/dh-applicants-cu...
Listed fees for this route
One-time total listed: $50
| Fee type | Amount | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Other | $50 | 100% |
| One-time total | $50 | 100% |
3 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Trained outside Canada
0 of 8 done
- 8 steps without a listed fee
-
You must have successfully completed a non-accredited dental hygiene program, which is assessed to determine whether it is equivalent to an approved program.
Source
“Successfully complete a non-accredited dental hygiene program.”
oralhealthns.ca/registration-as-a-dental-hygienist/non-approved-dh-... -
You apply to the Federation of Dental Hygiene Regulators of Canada to have your dental hygiene credentials evaluated to determine your eligibility to write the exam.
Source
“Apply to have the Federation of Dental Hygiene Regulators of Canada (FDHRC) evaluate your dental hygiene credentials to determine eligibility to write the exam.”
oralhealthns.ca/registration-as-a-dental-hygienist/non-approved-dh-... -
If the FDHRC deems you eligible, you successfully complete the written National Dental Hygiene Certification Exam.
Source
“If deemed eligible by the FDHRC, successfully complete the written National Dental Hygiene Certification Exam (NDHCE).”
oralhealthns.ca/registration-as-a-dental-hygienist/non-approved-dh-... -
You complete the online registration and licensing application form with the application fee.
Source
“Complete online registration and licensing application form, with application fee.”
oralhealthns.ca/registration-as-a-dental-hygienist/non-approved-dh-... -
You acquire a Certificate of Clinical Competency, which means completing clinical performance-based exams.
Source
“This will include acquiring a Certificate of Clinical Competency as defined by the Board [i.e., completion of clinical (performance-based) exams].”
oralhealthns.ca/registration-as-a-dental-hygienist/non-approved-dh-... -
You compile the required documentation for your application.
Source
“Compile required documentation.”
oralhealthns.ca/registration-as-a-dental-hygienist/non-approved-dh-... -
You complete the registration and licensing process, including payment of the final fees.
Source
“Complete registration and licensing process, including payment of final fees.”
oralhealthns.ca/registration-as-a-dental-hygienist/non-approved-dh-... -
You complete a virtual interview with the Registrar, which is booked once the rest of the registration process is complete.
Source
“Complete interview with the Registrar.”
oralhealthns.ca/registration-as-a-dental-hygienist/non-approved-dh-...
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Nova Scotia Regulator of Dental Hygiene, Dental Technology, and Denturism
8 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Requirements
Education
You must have graduated from a dental hygiene program approved or accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada or the Commission on Dental Accreditation in the United States.
Source
“The basic qualification for registration and licensure in Nova Scotia is that an applicant must have graduated from a dental hygiene program that has been approved/accredited by either the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada (CDAC) or by the Commission on Dental Accreditation in the United States (CODA).”
oralhealthns.ca/registration-as-a-dental-hygienist/non-approved-dh-...
Insurance
You must upload your Professional Liability Insurance policy and have PLI for the full period for which you are applying for your initial practising licence.
Source
“Upload your Professional Liability Insurance (PLI) policy(ies), as required by legislation and Board policy. You must have PLI for the full period for which you are applying for your initial practising licence.”
oralhealthns.ca/registration-as-a-dental-hygienist/approved-dh-prog...
Good character
You must demonstrate good conduct and good character, including self-declaring good character questions on the application form and providing good standing verification from other jurisdictions.
Source
“In addition to the good standing verification from other jurisdictions, outlined in Step 2, there are good character questions that you must self-declare on the application form.”
oralhealthns.ca/registration-as-a-dental-hygienist/dh-applicants-cu...
Other
You must show currency in continuing education, either through recent graduation, 45 hours of continuing dental hygiene education within the last three years, or a Board-approved alternate requirement such as a refresher program.
Source
“Provide evidence of having obtained 45 hours of continuing dental hygiene education within the 3 years immediately preceding the date of the application for registration is received.”
oralhealthns.ca/registration-as-a-dental-hygienist/approved-dh-prog...You must upload the certificate verifying you have completed the Nova Scotia Jurisprudence Examination.
Source
“Upload the certificate verifying you have completed the Nova Scotia Jurisprudence Examination.”
oralhealthns.ca/registration-as-a-dental-hygienist/approved-dh-prog...You must upload a permanent CPR card or certificate completed at the level required by Council within the last 12 months, including both classroom instruction and a practical component.
Source
“Upload a perment CPR Card/Certificate, completed at the level required by Council, taken within the last 12 months. Must include both a classroom instruction and a practical component.”
oralhealthns.ca/registration-as-a-dental-hygienist/approved-dh-prog...You must provide evidence of English language proficiency if your primary language is not English or your program of study was conducted in another language.
Source
“Evidence of English language proficiency, This is necessary for safe and competent practice. If there is no equivalent English proficiency requirement in the jurisdiction where you are currently registered, your primary language is not English and/or your program of study was conducted in a language other than English, you will be required to provide proof of English language competency.”
oralhealthns.ca/registration-as-a-dental-hygienist/approved-dh-prog...
Already licensed in another province?
Direct transfer
An applicant who holds an unrestricted practising licence in good standing in another Canadian jurisdiction may become registered and licensed in Nova Scotia, subject to verification of registration and possible additional requirements only where a legitimate objective has been posted under the CFTA for that jurisdiction. Source
“An applicant who is currently registered/licensed in the 'Practising' category, or equivalent without restrictions, and in good standing, in another Canadian jurisdiction, may become registered/licensed as a dental hygienist in Nova Scotia.”
oralhealthns.ca/registration-as-a-dental-hygienist/dh-applicants-cu...
Send verification forms
Source
“Complete Part A of the NSRDHDTD Verification of Registration Form and send it directly to each jurisdiction where you are, or have been previously certified, licensed, or registered as a dental hygienist.”
oralhealthns.ca/registration-as-a-dental-hygienist/dh-applicants-cu...Complete registration process
Source
“All fees must be paid before your application will be considered complete.”
oralhealthns.ca/registration-as-a-dental-hygienist/dh-applicants-cu...
Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with Nova Scotia Regulator of Dental Hygiene, Dental Technology, and Denturism
Credential assessment
Not stated by the regulator Check with Nova Scotia Regulator of Dental Hygiene, Dental Technology, and Denturism
Exams
-
Clinical (performance-based) exams
Source
“This will include acquiring a Certificate of Clinical Competency as defined by the Board [i.e., completion of clinical (performance-based) exams].”
oralhealthns.ca/registration-as-a-dental-hygienist/non-approved-dh-...
Language tests
No minimum test score stated by the regulator Check with Nova Scotia Regulator of Dental Hygiene, Dental Technology, and Denturism
Exemptions: English proficiency proof is required if there is no equivalent requirement in the jurisdiction where you are registered, your primary language is not English, or your program was taught in another language. Source
“If there is no equivalent English proficiency requirement in the jurisdiction where you are currently registered, your primary language is not English and/or your program of study was conducted in a language other than English, you will be required to provide proof of English language competency.”
oralhealthns.ca/registration-as-a-dental-hygienist/approved-dh-prog...
Canadian experience
No Canadian experience requirement is stated on the pages. Source
“If you wish to work as a dental hygienist in Nova Scotia, you must be registered and licensed with the Nova Scotia Regulator of Dental Hygiene, Dental Technology, and Denturism (NSRDHDTD).”
oralhealthns.ca/registration-as-a-dental-hygienist
Supervised practice
Not required
No supervised practice requirement is stated on the pages. Source
“If you wish to work as a dental hygienist in Nova Scotia, you must be registered and licensed with the Nova Scotia Regulator of Dental Hygiene, Dental Technology, and Denturism (NSRDHDTD).”
oralhealthns.ca/registration-as-a-dental-hygienist
Demand and pay
| Where | Low | Median | High | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nova Scotia | $35.00 | $38.10 | $44.00 | Moderate (3 of 5) |
| Canada | $32.00 | $45.00 | $60.00 | — |
Dental hygienists in other provinces and territories
- British Columbia Licence required
- Alberta Licence required
- Saskatchewan Licence required
- Manitoba Licence required
- Ontario Licence required
- Quebec Not confirmed yet
- New Brunswick Licence required
- Prince Edward Island Not confirmed yet
- Newfoundland and Labrador Licence required
- Yukon Not confirmed yet
- Northwest Territories Licence required
- Nunavut Not confirmed yet
Sources checked
- Registration as a Dental Hygienist oralhealthns.ca/registration-as-a-dental-hygienist · fetched October 10, 2026
- Approved DH Program Applicants oralhealthns.ca/registration-as-a-dental-hygienist/approved-dh-prog... · fetched October 10, 2026
- DH Applicants Currently Registered or Licensed in Another Canadian Jurisdiction oralhealthns.ca/registration-as-a-dental-hygienist/dh-applicants-cu... · fetched October 10, 2026
- Non-Approved DH Program Applicants oralhealthns.ca/registration-as-a-dental-hygienist/non-approved-dh-... · fetched October 10, 2026
Frequently asked questions
2
Do you need a licence to work as a dental hygienist in Nova Scotia?
Yes. Registration with Nova Scotia Regulator of Dental Hygiene, Dental Technology, and Denturism is required to practise in Nova Scotia, and to use the title dental hygienist.
Which exams are required?
Clinical (performance-based) exams.
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