Initial Registration

Eligibility

In order to be eligible to apply as a new graduate, applicants must:

• have graduated from an accredited dental hygiene education program in Canada (CDAC) or the United States (CODA), and
• have never been registered as a dental hygienist in Alberta or any other jurisdiction

Click the button to download the new graduate application information. Please read the application information document carefully and in its entirety to ensure that you have submitted all required documentation.

New Graduate Application Information

Dental Hygiene Education and Substantial Equivalence

The University of Alberta Dental Hygiene Program is the Council-approved program in Alberta, as it teaches to the full scope of practice in Alberta. It serves as the benchmark program of study for all applicants for registration. Under section 5 of the Dental Hygienist Profession Regulation, when graduates from schools other than the U of A submit an application for registration, the College compares the qualifications and competencies required for graduation from that school to the qualifications and competencies required for graduation from the U of A program to determine if the other school is substantially equivalent to the U of A. This is done through a program review. The results of the review usually apply to cohorts that graduate within the 3 years after the graduation date of the program reviewed. 

For example, if the College reviewed the dental hygiene program of a school whose students graduated in June of 2018 and found it to be substantially equivalent to the U of A program, applicants who graduated from that school between June 2018 and May 2021 would be eligible to apply directly to the College for registration. An application from an individual who graduated from that program after June 2021 would trigger a new program review. The College may, at its sole discretion, conduct program reviews more frequently. 

The outcome of a program review is not guaranteed based on the previous review. The substantial equivalency of a program may change before an individual graduates, depending on when the last review was completed and how long the program is.

An applicant from a dental hygiene program that has been determined to be not substantially equivalent to the U of A program will be required to successfully complete the CPEDH.

Click the button for more information about the CPEDH.

CPEDH

Additional Requirements

In addition to the documentation listed in the Requirements for Registration section, new graduate applicants are also required to provide the following documentation with their application:

• An official transcript sent directly to the College from the Office of the Registrar of the post-secondary institution where you completed your dental hygiene diploma or degree 
• A copy of your National Dental Hygiene Certification Board Exam (NDHCE) of Canada certificate

Fees

• The Application Fee for all new graduate applications is $350.
• The Practice Permit Fee for new graduate applications submitted within 12 months of graduation is $350.
• The Practice Permit Fee for new graduate applications submitted 12 months or more after graduation is $599.

Start the Application Process

Eligibility

If you hold current certification, licensure, or registration in good standing to practice as dental hygiene in another Canadian jurisdiction, your application will be considered under Canada Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) and provincial trade and labour mobility agreements, as well as Section 4 of the Regulation, which deals with equivalent jurisdictions.

You must hold active registration in another Canadian jurisdiction to be eligible to apply under this policy.

• If you do not hold active registration in another Canadian jurisdiction, the College will require either evidence of reinstatement to the general register of that authority, or additional documentation to demonstrate competency and substantial equivalence.
• If you hold active registration in a jurisdiction outside of Canada, please contact the College.

Click the button to download the application information for dental hygienists practicing in other Canadian jurisdictions. Please read the application information document carefully and in its entirety to ensure you have submitted all required documentation.

CFTA Application Information

Currency of Dental Hygiene Practice

If you apply for registration under this policy, you must complete the employment history section and provide supporting documents for this information. The supporting documents could be a signed letter from a current or previous employer or copies of Records of Employment (ROEs).

The College may impose additional training, experience, examinations, or assessments as a condition of registration if you cannot provide evidence of currency of practice.

Additional Requirements

In addition to the documentation listed in the Requirements for Registration section, the following documentation is required for CFTA applications:

• A completed Verification of Registration form for every jurisdiction where you were previously or are currently a regulated health professional. 
  • This must be sent directly from the regulatory authority to the College.

Fees

• The Application Fee for Canadian RDH applications is $350.
• The Practice Permit Fee for Canadian RDH applications is $599.

Start the Application Process

Eligibility

You must apply for registration under this policy if you are a dental hygienist whose dental hygiene program was located outside of Canada or the United States, or was not accredited in Canada (CDAC) or the United States (CODA) at the time of your graduation. Under section 5 of the Dental Hygienists Profession Regulation, the College will need to determine substantial equivalence of your qualifications.

Note: Internationally trained dentists cannot be authorized to work as dental hygienists in Alberta unless they have completed a dental hygiene education program.

Click the button to download the substantial equivalence application information. Please read the application information document carefully and in its entirety to ensure you have submitted all required documentation.

Internationally Trained Application Information

Additional Requirements

All internationally trained dental hygienists will be required to successfully complete both the National Dental Hygiene Certification Exam (NDHCE) and the Canadian Performance Exam in Dental Hygiene (CPEDH). Both exams are administered by the Federation of Dental Hygiene Regulators of Canada. Click the button below for information about the Federation and these exams.

FDHRC

In addition, you must provide the following along with your application for registration:

• Your academic credentials:
  • Transcript from your dental hygiene program
  • A Verification of Authenticity Certificate by an external assessment agency.

World Education Services

International Qualifications Assessment Service 

• Your English language proficiency test results completed within the last 24 months. A language proficiency test is required if:
  • There is no equivalent English proficiency requirement in the jurisdiction where you are currently registered
  • Your primary language is not English
  • The program of study was conducted in a language other than English

TOEFL exam

IELTS exam

Fees

• The Application Fee for internationally trained DH applications is $350
• The Practice Permit Fee for internationally trained DH applications is $599

Start the Application Process