\
Welcome to the Dental Hygiene Committee of CA

How to Become a Licensed Dental Hygienist (RDH) in California, Third and Forth Year California Dental Students

Third and Forth Year California Dental Students

A law effective January 1, 2005, allows 3rd and 4th year California dental students in good standing to apply for examination and licensure to become a RDH.
Dental students who obtain licensure through this process may only practice in a dental practice that serves patients who are insured under Denti-Cal, the Healthy Families Program, or other government programs, or a dental practice that has a sliding scale fee system based on income.
In addition, the license is only granted for two years, without the ability for renewal, and the license is automatically revoked upon his or her receipt of a dental license. Also, the license shall be revoked if the dental student fails to remain in good standing in the dental school, or fails to graduate.
The application and examination forms on this page contain all of the requirements that a dental school applicant for RDH examination and licensure must complete. Generally, applicants must (1) be a 3rd or 4th year student in a California dental school, and in good standing; (2) completed an approved course in the administration of local anesthesia; and, (3) passed the National written examination. Qualified applicants must then pass a clinical examination and examinations in Ethics and California Law administered by COMDA.