Registration & Renewal

In order to practice dental hygiene in British Columbia, applicants must be registered with the College of Dental Hygienists of British Columbia.

Registration Application

Information Guide

First-time applicants must provide the initial registration, application, and annual registration fees (see Schedule D); the annual fee is reduced if applying after September 1.

Persons who are not graduates of dental hygiene education programs are not eligible for registration as dental hygienists in B.C. In particular, persons who are graduates of other dental programs should contact dental regulatory agencies to determine their registration requirements, or should contact dental hygiene education programs in B.C. to determine admission requirements.

Foreign dental hygiene graduates should contact the National Dental Hygiene Certification Board (NDHCB) for credential assessment; if eligible for the national (written) exam, candidates who achieve NDHCB certification are then eligible to challenge the B.C. Dental Hygiene Clinical Examination.

Full Registration

Available to dental hygienists who meet all of the following requirements:

  • Graduation from a dental hygiene education program listed in Schedule I of the CDHBC bylaws;*
  • Certification by the National Dental Hygiene Certification Board (NDHCB);
  • Graduation from a CDHBC-approved Local Anesthesia course and/or eligibility to perform Local Anesthesia in the jurisdiction of practice within the past three years;
  • Demonstration of current Continuing Competency (CC) credits;
  • Completion of the B.C. Dental Hygiene Regulation Assessment (Form 1);
  • Possession of professional negligence insurance in the amount of $1 million per occurrence;
  • Demonstration of good standing in every jurisdiction in which currently or previously registered to practice dental hygiene;
  • Demonstration of good character, consistent with the responsibilities and standards expected of a registrant;
  • Authorization for a criminal record search (as required by the Criminal Records Review Act);
  • Submission of a complete registration application form and the applicable fees.

* Graduates from dental hygiene programs not listed in Schedule I and who have not been previously registered within Canada (see AIT) may satisfy this requirement by successfully challenging the B.C. Dental Hygiene Clinical Examination.

Full Registration/Residential Care

For more information, please contact the College office.

Renewal Is Now Closed.

If the College has not received a registrant’s renewal application and payment by the deadline, in accordance with section 21 of the Health Professions Act, that registrant will be removed from the CDHBC register and may not practice dental hygiene until re-registered.

Reinstatement Information

The reinstatement period is now closed; the College bylaws require that reinstatement applications must be submitted no later than April 30. If your registration has lapsed, in order to legally practice dental hygiene in British Columbia you must re-register by fulfilling all registration requirements, including submission of a completed Full Registration application package along with payment of all associated fees. 

 

Conditional Registration

Available to dental hygienists who meet all requirements for Full Registration, with the exception of Local Anesthesia certification/education. Conditional registrants must not administer Local Anesthesia; they are eligible for Full Registration upon providing proof of successful completion of an approved Local Anesthesia course. Conditional Registration may be granted for a maximum period of two years.

Non-Practicing Registration

Available to dental hygienists who currently do not wish to practice dental hygiene. Non-practicing registration will be granted to those who meet the requirements for Full Registration with the exception of current CC credits and/or professional negligence insurance. A non-practicing registrant may transfer to practicing registration by providing proof of completion of all requirements and by paying the applicable fees.

Student Registration

Available to individuals currently enrolled in dental hygiene education programs approved by the CDHBC Board. A student registrant may only practice under the direct supervision of a full registrant. Applicants may obtain student registration after providing a complete application form, a recommendation from the program head specifying those procedures which they are competent to perform and the dates during which they may perform those procedures, confirmation from a full registrant who will provide supervision, and the appropriate fees.

Temporary Registration

Available to dental hygienists who are registered in good standing in another jurisdiction for the purpose of participating in or conducting an educational program sponsored by an agency approved by the Registration Committee. More information is available by contacting the College office.