Dental Hygienist License in Georgia

Georgia provides detailed fee information for dental hygienist licensure in the COS database: $50 application fee, $145 for national boards (NBDHE), $700 for the CRDTS clinical examination, and $25 for the jurisprudence examination, totaling approximately $920 for initial licensure. Biennial renewal is $85. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and demonstrate good moral character. Georgia requires three separate examinations: the NBDHE, the Central Regional Dental Testing Service (CRDTS) clinical exam, and a Georgia jurisprudence exam covering state dental law and regulations. The Georgia Board of Dentistry, headquartered in Macon, oversees dental hygienist licensing. Georgia has several CODA-accredited dental hygiene programs, including those at Georgia Highlands College, Augusta University, Clayton State University, and Darton State College. The state's rural southern and central regions experience significant dental professional shortages, providing employment opportunities for new graduates willing to serve underserved populations. The Atlanta metropolitan area, by contrast, offers a competitive and well-compensated market with numerous private practice opportunities. Georgia requires dental hygienists to work under direct or general supervision and permits expanded duties including sealant application and fluoride varnish treatment.