License renewal · Massachusetts

Dental Hygienist License Renewal in Massachusetts

The Massachusetts Board of Registration in Dentistry (Department of Public Health, Bureau of Health Professions Licensure) sets the rules. Renewal: every 2 years (biennial); deadline: no later than March 31st of odd-numbered years. Continuing education: 20 CEUs during the 24 months immediately preceding March 31st in odd numbered years. Each fact below is quoted from an official state source, linked beside it, and was checked on 2026-10-12. Confirm with the board before you rely on it: rules change.

Renewal cycle and deadline

every 2 years (biennial) — no later than March 31st of odd-numbered years

Source: mass.gov · mass.gov · mass.gov

Continuing education

20 CEUs during the 24 months immediately preceding March 31st in odd numbered years.

CDC Guidelines
Continuous certification in CPR/AED, or BLS

CEUs may not be carried over from one renewal cycle to the next; CEUs required by a consent agreement or final decision and order may not be used for renewal

Source: mass.gov · mass.gov

CPR / BLS

Continuous certification in CPR/AED, or BLS

Source: mass.gov

Late renewal and lapse

A license expired less than two renewal cycles may be renewed by filing the renewal application, paying the renewal fee for each intervening cycle plus the late renewal fee, submitting CE documentation for each cycle, and giving a written explanation; the Board page lists a late renewal fee of $57 in addition to the renewal fee. A licensee shall not practice with an expired license.

Source: mass.gov · mass.gov

Verify a license

The board's public lookup: checkahealthlicense.mass.gov

For the office manager

The renewal is the hygienist's to complete, but a lapsed license is the practice's problem on the schedule. Keep each hygienist's expiry date where an alert reaches both of you well before it, long enough for any CE still owed. The free renewal calendar makes reminders for your own calendar; LVL Up Performance keeps the dates on each staff record and alerts ahead. Neither tracks CE hours or checks anything with the board.

Sources, quoted

“Dentists, dental hygienists, and dental assistants must renew their licenses every 2 years.” — mass.gov (read from an archived copy of this page; the board's site blocks automated readers, so check the live page)
“A licensed dental hygienist shall renew a dental hygiene license biennially no later than March 31st of odd-numbered years.” — mass.gov (read from an archived copy of this page; the board's site blocks automated readers, so check the live page)
“Dental hygienists must have their CEUs completed by March 31 st in odd-numbered years” — mass.gov (read from an archived copy of this page; the board's site blocks automated readers, so check the live page)
“must complete a minimum of 20 CEUs during the 24 months immediately preceding March 31st in odd numbered years.” — mass.gov (read from an archived copy of this page; the board's site blocks automated readers, so check the live page)
“Dental hygienists must complete a minimum of 20 CEUs each 2-year renewal cycle” — mass.gov (read from an archived copy of this page; the board's site blocks automated readers, so check the live page)
“(a) CDC Guidelines; and (b) Continuous certification in CPR/AED, or BLS,” — mass.gov (read from an archived copy of this page; the board's site blocks automated readers, so check the live page)
“A licensee shall complete continuing education as a condition precedent to the biennial renewal of a license” — mass.gov (read from an archived copy of this page; the board's site blocks automated readers, so check the live page)
“CEUs may not be carried over from one renewal cycle to the next.” — mass.gov (read from an archived copy of this page; the board's site blocks automated readers, so check the live page)
“is exempt from the CEU requirements for the licensing period in which the licensee graduates.” — mass.gov (read from an archived copy of this page; the board's site blocks automated readers, so check the live page)
“Paying license renewal fee for each intervening renewal cycle and paying the late renewal fee established by the Executive Office of Administration and Finance;” — mass.gov (read from an archived copy of this page; the board's site blocks automated readers, so check the live page)
“A licensee shall not practice dentistry, dental hygiene or dental assisting with an expired, suspended, surrendered or revoked license.” — mass.gov (read from an archived copy of this page; the board's site blocks automated readers, so check the live page)
“Late Renewal Fee $57 per late license renewal (in addition to renewal fee)” — mass.gov (read from an archived copy of this page; the board's site blocks automated readers, so check the live page)
“Dental hygienist license renewal fee $60 each” — mass.gov (read from an archived copy of this page; the board's site blocks automated readers, so check the live page)
“(MA REG. # 1363, Dated 4-20-18)” — mass.gov (read from an archived copy of this page; the board's site blocks automated readers, so check the live page)
“Please visit DPH Check a License (mass.gov) to verify all dental licenses (expired or current) to be verified at no cost.” — mass.gov (read from an archived copy of this page; the board's site blocks automated readers, so check the live page)
“CEUs required by a consent agreement or final decision and order shall not be used to satisfy the CEU requirement for license renewal.” — mass.gov (read from an archived copy of this page; the board's site blocks automated readers, so check the live page)
“is exempt from CEU requirements while he or she is enrolled in a CODA-accredited dental school.” — mass.gov (read from an archived copy of this page; the board's site blocks automated readers, so check the live page)
“a statement, signed under pains and penalties of perjury, that the applicant has completed the requisite number of CEUs.” — mass.gov (read from an archived copy of this page; the board's site blocks automated readers, so check the live page)
“Dentists and Limited Licensees You are also required to complete mandatory CEUs on safe and effective opioid prescribing/pain management” — mass.gov (read from an archived copy of this page; the board's site blocks automated readers, so check the live page)

Checked 2026-10-12. Something out of date? Write to mauricio@lvlupperformance.com and we will fix it. This page is information, not legal advice.