SUCCESS IS

MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF OTHERS

Health Services

Community

Accreditation and Licensure

The Amarillo College Dental Hygiene Program prepares graduates to pursue dental hygiene licensure. Graduation from the program does not automatically authorize a person to practice. Graduates must successfully complete required examinations, submit a state licensure application, and receive an active license before working as a dental hygienist.

Program Accreditation

The Amarillo College Dental Hygiene Program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and currently holds the status of Approval Without Reporting Requirements. CODA is a specialized accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. 
CODA evaluates dental hygiene programs through a peer-review process that includes a comprehensive self-study, an onsite review, and examination of the program’s curriculum, faculty, facilities, policies, clinical education, and resources. Accredited programs receive periodic site reviews to confirm continued compliance with CODA standards. 

Commission on Dental Accreditation
401 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 3300
Chicago, IL 60611-4250
Phone: 800-232-6108
Learn More About CODA Accreditation 

What Accreditation Means for Students

Graduation from a CODA-accredited dental hygiene program is an important part of eligibility for dental hygiene licensure. Accreditation indicates that the program has been evaluated against established educational standards for dental hygiene education.
Accreditation does not guarantee:

  • Graduation from the program 
  • Successful completion of licensing examinations 
  • Approval of a state license 
  • Employment after graduation 

Students must meet all academic, clinical, professional, graduation, examination, and state licensing requirements.

Dental Hygiene Licensure

Dental hygienists must hold an active license issued by the state in which they plan to practice. Each state establishes its own application, examination, eligibility, and renewal requirements.
Graduates who plan to practice in Texas must apply through the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners. Students planning to practice outside Texas should contact the appropriate state licensing board early because requirements differ by state.

Steps to Texas Licensure

  1. Graduate from a CODA-accredited dental hygiene program
  • Students must successfully complete the Associate of Applied Science degree and all Amarillo College Dental Hygiene Program requirements. An official transcript documenting graduation must be submitted as part of the Texas application process. 
  1. Complete the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination
  • Applicants must complete the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, commonly called the NBDHE. 
  1. Complete a recognized clinical examination
  • Applicants must pass a dental hygiene clinical examination accepted by the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners. They currently accepts results from ADEX and CRDTS-SRTA. Students should confirm the approved examinations with TSBDE before registering because requirements may change.
  1. Complete the Texas Jurisprudence Assessment
  • Applicants must complete the TSBDE Jurisprudence Assessment within the one-year period immediately before submitting the license application. 
  1. Hold current BLS certification
  • Applicants must provide proof of current Basic Life Support CPR certification that includes a hands-on skills demonstration. 
  1. Complete the required human-trafficking prevention course
  • Applicants must complete a human-trafficking prevention course approved by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission and submit proof of completion with the application. 
  1. Submit the application and supporting documents
  • Additional Texas application requirements include:
    • Online application and required fees 
    • Fingerprinting 
    • Identification documents 
    • Passport-style photograph 
    • National Practitioner Data Bank self-query 
    • Verification of any professional license, permit, or registration previously held 
    • Other documentation requested by TSBDE 
  • Requirements and document-validity periods should be reviewed carefully before submission. 
  1. Activate the Texas license
  • TSBDE states that a newly issued license initially appears with an expired status. The graduate must complete the initial renewal process and pay the prorated activation fee before the license becomes active. A graduate may not practice dental hygiene until TSBDE has issued and activated the license. 

Licensure Outside Texas

Licensure requirements differ by state. Students who plan to practice outside Texas should contact that state’s dental licensing board before graduation to confirm its education, examination, application, background-review, and certification requirements.

Important Notice

Accreditation and graduation do not guarantee:

  • Eligibility for licensure 
  • Successful completion of licensing examinations 
  • Approval of a license application 
  • Licensure in every state 
  • Employment after graduation 

An applicant’s criminal history, prior professional-license history, disciplinary history, examination results, or failure to meet state requirements may affect eligibility for licensure. Final licensing decisions are made by the applicable state licensing board.