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Licensure in Georgia

General Information about Licensure:

A dental hygienist is a licensed healthcare professional. Licensure is designed to protect the public from unqualified individuals and unsafe practice. Licensure is the strongest form of regulation used today. In accordance with state law, licensed individuals are the only persons meeting the minimum qualifications necessary to practice their profession. 

Information about licensure in the state of Georgia:

The Georgia Board of Dentistry licenses dental hygienists in Georgia. There are over 6,350 licensed dental hygienists in the state. Contact Information:

Georgia Board of Dentistry
237 Coliseum Drive
Macon, Georgia 31217-3858
Telephone (478) 207-1686
Fax (478) 207-1699

Features of the Georgia Board of Dentistry Web Site: http://www.sos.state.ga.us/plb/dentistry/

Dental Practice Act

Search for a dentist or hygienist by name or license #.
Online Renewal
 
Rules and Regulations - See above web site

To download an application in .pdf format, for dental hygiene licensure in the state of Georgia visit: 
http://www.sos.state.ga.us/plb/dentistry/forms.htm

To become a licensed dental hygienist in this state you must:

  • Graduate from an ADA accredited dental hygiene program, with a minimum of an associate's degree.

  • Successfully complete the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination.

  • Successfully complete the Central Regional Dental Testing Service Examination.

To contact CRDTS:

Central Regional Dental Testing Service, Inc.
1725 SW Gage Blvd.
Topeka, KS 66604-3333

Ph: (785) 273-0380
Fax: (785) 273-5015

Web Site: https://www.crdts.org/cgi-bin/sds.pl?index.fsp&pvs_id|guest

Hygienists moving to Georgia who hold a valid license in another state may apply for a temporary license to practice dental hygiene until the next board examination has been taken. See section 43-11-70.1 in the 1994 dental practice act or contact the Georgia Board of Dentistry for details.

2008 CRDTS Testing Dates: (Only Georgia and S.E. locations shown. See CRDTS web site for other locations.

Exam Date Exam Site City State Deadline Date
April 18 - 20 Med College of Georgia Augusta GA March 7, 2008
April 18 - 20 Clayton State University Morrow GA March 7, 2008
May 15 - 18 Georgia Perimeter College Atlanta GA April 7, 2008
May 16 - 18 Central GA Tech Macon GA April 7, 2008
May 30 - June 1 Armstrong Atlantic Savannah GA April 18, 2008
July 25 - 27 Med College of Georgia Augusta GA June 16, 2008
Dec 7 - 9 Clayton State University Morrow GA October 28, 2008

ADA Information about Licensure

Information about license renewal:

Requirements for license renewal include:

  1. Remittance of renewal fee of $85.00 by December 31 of the renewal year. Fee for renewal between January 1 and June 30, includes a fine. See the Georgia Board of Dentistry web site. Licenses not renewed by June 30 will be administratively revoked.

  2. Completion of 22 hours of continuing education credit. At least 15 hours must be scientific courses in the actual delivery of dental services to the patient or to the community. CPR now counts for 4 hours toward these c.e. hours. Beginning in January, 2008, 1/2 of your CE credit must have been earned in other than online courses.

  3. Current CPR certification.

If you move, don't forget to notify the Georgia Board of Dentistry of your new address within 30 days. Applications for renewal of your license are not forwarded unless you have filed a forwarding order with your local post office!

Online Renewal

Notice: GDHA is providing a quick reference for hygienists. The information presented here is not all-inclusive and does not replace official information from the Georgia Board of Dentistry or the Central Regional Dental Testing Service, Inc. GDHA does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of this information. For the most current and accurate information, contact the Georgia Board of Dentistry as shown above.