DENTAL HYGIENIST License in Illinois

Illinois requires dental hygienist applicants to complete specific coursework from an accredited program and pass a third-party clinical examination plus the NBDHE. The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) oversees dental hygienist licensing. Illinois is notable for its triennial (every three years) renewal cycle, which is less frequent than most states and reduces the administrative burden on practitioners. CE is required for renewal, with hours that must include topics such as infection control and professional ethics. Illinois has no criminal record prohibitions for dental hygienist licensure, making it relatively accessible for applicants with past convictions. The state has multiple CODA-accredited dental hygiene programs at institutions including Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Prairie State College, Lewis University, and Kennedy-King College. Chicago's large metropolitan area represents the Midwest's largest market for dental hygienists, offering diverse employment opportunities in private practices, community health centers, hospitals, and corporate dental chains. Downstate rural communities face persistent dental workforce shortages. Illinois permits dental hygienists to administer local anesthesia with additional training and certification requirements.