A student in a dental hygiene program that is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada (CDAC) or the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation (ADA/CODA), may apply to write the NDHCE upon confirmation by the dental hygiene program director or designate, that the student, at the application deadline date, is within four months of completion of the dental hygiene program.

An applicant who is a graduate of a dental hygiene program that was accredited by CDAC or ADA/CODA on the date of the applicant’s graduation may apply to write the NDHCE.

An applicant who is a graduate of a dental hygiene program that was not accredited by CDAC or ADA/CODA on the date of the applicant’s graduation may apply to write the NDHCE following verification of eligibility by the FDHRC via an Equivalency Assessment. A successful assessment result establishes eligibility for the applicant to apply to write the NDHCE™ within a period of three (3) years from the date of approval. For more information, please see the NDHCE Equivalency Assessment Guide and associated Forms.