License renewal · Tennessee

Dental Hygienist License Renewal in Tennessee

The Tennessee Board of Dentistry (Tennessee Department of Health, Division of Health Related Boards) sets the rules. Renewal: biennially (every two years); CE cycle is two calendar years, January 1 of an odd year through December 31 of an even year; deadline: The last day of the month in which a licensee's birthday falls. Continuing education: 30 hours per two calendar-year cycle (January 1 of an odd year - December 31 of an even year). 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

biennially (every two years); CE cycle is two calendar years, January 1 of an odd year through December 31 of an even year — The last day of the month in which a licensee's birthday falls

Source: publications.tnsosfiles.com · publications.tnsosfiles.com

Continuing education

30 hours per two calendar-year cycle (January 1 of an odd year - December 31 of an even year).

Chemical dependency education: at least 2 of the 30 hours

Dental hygienists can obtain no more than 50% of their continuing education via online or web-based courses; a live interactive webinar is considered in-person.

Source: tn.gov · publications.tnsosfiles.com · publications.tnsosfiles.com

CPR / BLS

current training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) which is defined as successful completion of a BLS for Healthcare Providers, or CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers, or an equivalent course, which provides training for healthcare professionals in CPR and the use of an AED. The course must be conducted in person and include a skills examination on a manikin with a certified instructor.

Source: tn.gov · publications.tnsosfiles.com

Late renewal and lapse

Reinstatement of an expired license requires payment of all past-due renewal fees, state regulatory fees and the reinstatement fee ($150.00 for dental hygienists), documentation of CE for the entire time the license was expired, and proof of passing the Ethics and Jurisprudence exam. The Board states it is a violation of the law and of its rules to practice on an expired license.

Source: publications.tnsosfiles.com · publications.tnsosfiles.com · tn.gov

Verify a license

The board's public lookup: internet.health.tn.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

“The due date for licensure renewal is the last day of the month in which a licensee’s birthday falls” — publications.tnsosfiles.com
“on their biennial renewal application, attest to attendance and successful completion of the required continuing education hours” — publications.tnsosfiles.com
“Licensure Renewal Fee - Payable biennially by all licensees, including criteria approved and educational $75.00” — publications.tnsosfiles.com
“Dental hygienists are all required to fulfill 30 hours of continuing education during the two calendar year cycle” — tn.gov
“each licensed dental hygienist must successfully complete thirty (30) hours of continuing education in courses approved by the Board” — publications.tnsosfiles.com
“A minimum of 2 of the required 30 biennial hours must be obtained in the area of chemical dependency education.” — tn.gov
“dental hygienists can obtain no more than 50% of their continuing education via online or web-based” — tn.gov
“keep a current C.P.R. card at all times” — tn.gov
“which indicates current training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)” — publications.tnsosfiles.com
“The course must be conducted in person and include a skills examination on a manikin with a certified instructor.” — publications.tnsosfiles.com
“Proof of successful completion of the Tennessee Board of Dentistry Ethics and Jurisprudence examination” — publications.tnsosfiles.com
“Payment of all past due renewal fees, state regulatory fees and the reinstatement fee as established in Rule 0460-01-.02” — publications.tnsosfiles.com
“Provide documentation of successfully completing continuing education requirements for the entire time the license was expired” — publications.tnsosfiles.com
“past due licensure renewal fees. $150.00” — publications.tnsosfiles.com
“It is a violation of the law and of the board’s rules to practice on an expired license.” — tn.gov
“New licensees and new registrants are exempt from the provisions of subparagraphs (1)(a), (1)(b), and (1)(c)” — publications.tnsosfiles.com
“a live interactive webinar is to be considered in-person continuing education” — tn.gov

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.