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Division of
Professional Regulation

Dental Hygienist License



When to Apply

DELPROS, our online portal, will assist you in determining whether you apply by reciprocity or by examination. Apply by reciprocity if you:

  • hold a current Dental Hygienist license in another jurisdiction (state, U.S. territory or District of Columbia), AND
  • have practiced as a Dental Hygienist at least three of the past five years.

If you do not meet both conditions, you must apply for licensure by examination and sit for the Delaware Practical Examination in Dental Hygiene. Both pathways to licensure (reciprocity and exam) require you to also pass the Delaware Jurisprudence exam. For more information about the dental exams, see Examinations.


Information on How to Apply for a License in DELPROS

All applications are submitted our online system DELPROS. We no longer accept paper applications.


Prior To Applying

In order to apply for a license or submit a service request, you must first have a DELPROS user account . To LOG IN or CREATE a DELPROS (Delaware Professional Regulation Online Services) user account:

  1. Go to: https://delpros.delaware.gov/OH_HomePage.
  2. Click GO on the Apply/Manage a License and Service Requests tile.
  3. If you do not have a DELPROS user account, click the REGISTER button on the left side of page for NEW USERS.
  4. If you already have a DELPROS user account, enter your email address and password on the right side for EXISTING USERS and click the LOGIN button.

DELPROS allows you to save your incomplete application and return to it later to finish the process. You only have six (6) months to submit your application once you begin.

  • If you do not submit your application within six months of starting it, you will be required to restart the entire online application again.

You may check the status of your application online throughout the entire application process by using the “View Application Status” feature in DELPROS on your e-License dashboard.


Know Your Requirements and Collect Your Documents

  1. Know the requirements for the license you are pursuing.
  2. Request and gather all documents required to upload on the Attachments page. All information and forms are located on your profession’s webpages.


Attaching and Acknowledging Documents

On the ATTACHMENTS page of your application, you may be instructed to:

  • either “attach” or “upload” the required document(s) directly to your application. This means you will find the document(s) saved on your computer or device and upload it to your application, or
  • click “acknowledge” . This means you will either have to mail the documents yourself or request the “third-party” mail the document(s) directly to the Board office.
    • Examples of “third-party forms” are transcripts from schools, employment verifications from a supervisor, and license verifications from another state.
  • Forms requiring a supervisor signature, seal, or notary may have to be MAILED to the Board office directly UNLESS the document specifically indicates to UPLOAD the document.

The requirements for this license type are provided in the following section(s).


Exam Applicants: Requirements Before the Practical Examination

In addition to the application and fee in DELPROS, you must submit:

  • A copy of your current cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification card. The Board office must receive this document by the exam deadline.
  • An official transcript from your high school showing that you graduated, sent directly from the school to the Board office.
    • If you did not graduate from high school, submit a copy of your GED.
    • The Board office must receive this transcript or GED by the exam deadline.
  • An official transcript from Board-approved dental hygiene program showing your degree and date of graduation, sent directly from the school to the Board office.
    • If you have not completed your dental hygiene education when you apply, submit a letter from school officials, stating that you are in good academic standing and the expected date of your graduation. After you graduate, the school must send the official transcript to the Board office.
    • The Board office must receive one of these documents by the exam deadline.

When the deadline for the exam date passes, the Board office will mail examination packets to all candidates who applied on time and whose documentation it has received. Candidates who apply late will receive their examination packets only after the Board office confirms availability of a seat and receives all required documentation.


Examination Applicants: Requirement After the Practical Examination

You must submit the following items after you have passed the exam in order to be considered for licensure:

  • Your National Dental Hygiene Board Examination score report, sent directly from the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations to the Board office. See Score Report Request.
  • A letter of reference attesting to your good moral character and reputation.
  • State/Jurisdiction Licensure Verification sent directly to the Board office from each state or jurisdiction in which you currently hold or have ever held a license.
  • Your completed, signed and notarized Jurisprudence Examination for Dental Hygienist Candidates.
  • A State of Delaware and Federal Bureau of Investigation criminal background check (CBC). Go to the Criminal Background Check Process page to find the Service Code required to obtain a State of Delaware and Federal Bureau of Investigation criminal background check. Once you have your Service Code, you will be directed to the IdentoGO website for instructions to complete the fingerprinting process.
    • Criminal background checks completed for any other purpose (e.g., employment, licensure in other states) will not meet this requirement.


Requirements for Reciprocity Applicants

In addition to submitting the application and fee in DELPROS, you must submit:

  • An official transcript from Board-approved dental hygiene program showing your degree and date of graduation, sent directly from the school to the Board office.
  • A copy of your current cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification card.
  • Your National Dental Hygiene Board Examination score report, sent directly from the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations to the Board office. See Score Report Request.
  • A letter of reference attesting to your good moral character and reputation.
  • State/Jurisdiction Licensure Verification sent directly to the Board office from each state or jurisdiction in which you currently hold or have ever held a license.
  • A tax form W-2s or other proof that you have practiced actively for three years in another state or U.S. territory.
  • A State of Delaware and Federal Bureau of Investigation criminal background check (CBC). Go to the Criminal Background Check Process page to find the Service Code required to obtain a State of Delaware and Federal Bureau of Investigation criminal background check. Once you have your Service Code, you will be directed to the IdentoGO website for instructions to complete the fingerprinting process.
    • Criminal background checks completed for any other purpose (e.g., employment, licensure in other states) will not meet this requirement.

 


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