Substantial Equivalency Assessment

The Federation of Dental Hygiene Regulators of Canada^® conducts substantial equivalency assessments for graduates of non-accredited dental hygiene programs on a fee for service basis.

Minimum Requirements

To be considered for a Substantial Equivalency Assessment of your credentials and qualifications, any applicant must be able to provide evidence of minimum requirements. In its assessment process, the FDHRC^® uses four (4) minimum criteria that must be met before it can proceed further:

Criterion 1 - the applicant must have graduated with a diploma/degree or its equivalent, in dental hygiene.
Criterion 2 - the dental hygiene program must be established as a separate school, faculty, division or department recognized by the appropriate government agency in the country/jurisdiction where the program is established at a post-secondary institution which is also recognized by the appropriate government agency.
Criterion 3 - the program must be of a minimum of two (2) full time academic years of formal dental hygiene education in a recognized Dental Hygiene program, including a clinical component with direct client care supervised by dental hygiene faculty.
Criterion 4 - the program must have learning outcomes/competencies and evaluation criteria set out in a clear, concise and detailed manner to the satisfaction of the FDHRC^®.

Note: Applicants must meet all of the criteria listed above before the FDHRC^® can even open a Substantial Equivalency Assessment file on their behalf. If those criteria are not met, the FDHRC^® will not conduct a Substantial Equivalency Assessment, will reimburse the application fee minus a non-refundable application fee, and the applicant will be denied substantial equivalency. Please make sure to consult the Substantial Equivalency Assessment Handbook for further details about how to apply.

Assessment Policies and Decisions

The FDHRC^® determines eligibility to write the NDHCE^® and challenge the CPEDH^® in accordance with established criteria. One copy of the assessment report result will be issued to the applicant or their agent. 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.

When an applicant has met minimum requirements for substantial equivalency, a letter to the applicant will outline the process on how to apply for the NDHCE^®. The letter will also include the date of the next scheduled examination for which the applicant is eligible to apply.

An applicant who did not have their credentials and experience deemed substantially equivalent to those of a graduate of a Canadian accredited dental hygiene program will NOT be eligible to write the NDHCE^®. The assessment report sent to the applicant will outline specific deficiencies. Once an applicant has been notified, in writing, of the negative result of the assessment, the applicant’s assessment file is closed. If the applicant wishes to reactivate the file, a new application, appropriate fees, and additional documentation must be submitted.

Assessment of credentials reports may differ over time as the FDHRC^®'s assessment decisions are based on the most recent competencies for the profession.

Notice of Right to Appeal

Any applicant who is denied equivalency and believes that they were treated unfairly can request an appeal. Please refer to the Rescoring, Reconsideration and Appeal Policy for more details about how to appeal an FDHRC^® decision.

Note: If the applicant is deemed eligible to write the NDHCE^®, a lack of proficiency in either English or French shall not be grounds for review of examination results or for any form of exam accommodations.

Application Forms for a Substantial Equivalency Assessment

For applications received before January 1, 2026:

The Equivalency Assessment Guide provides further information about the forms and documents required to have your qualifications assessed.

Please make sure you download the MS Word version of each Appendix and TYPE IN the information required. You (or a third party) can then print it and mail it in or submit it electronically (preferred).

For applications received after January 1, 2026:

The Substantial Equivalency Assessment Guide (2026) provides further information about the forms and documents required to have your qualifications assessed.

Please make sure you download the MS Word or Excel version of each Appendix and TYPE IN the information required. Please submit it electronically to info@fdhrc.ca.

Note: The Substantial Equivalency Assessment process can take 8-10 weeks from the time we receive all the required documentation (no assessment will start until all documentation has been received).

The FDHRC^® will communicate with the individual applicants in writing once it has reached a decision.

Examination Requirements

National Dental Hygiene Certification Examination^® (NDHCE^®)

Once an applicant has received formal notice that they have been granted equivalency, they are eligible to write the National Dental Hygiene Certification Examination^® (NDHCE^®). Successful completion of the NDHCE^® is required by provincial regulatory bodies in every province but Québec. The NDHCE^® is offered three times per year, in test centre in Canada. It is available in English and French. For a complete overview of how to register for, prepare and write the NDHCE^®, click here.

Canadian Performance Examination in Dental Hygiene^® (CPEDH^®)

Applicants from non-accredited schools who have been granted equivalency and have passed the National Dental Hygiene Certification Examination^® (NDHCE^®), must also successfully complete the Canadian Performance Exam in Dental Hygiene^® (CPEDH^®) before they can register to practice in most provinces. Individuals should check with the Regulator in the province they wish to register to confirm their requirements to practice. A full list of Regulators is available here.

The CPEDH^® is delivered annually in Ottawa. It is available in English only.

Additional Requirements

Language Proficiency

Most provinces require that applicants be able to effectively comprehend and communicate in either English or French, both orally and in writing. Some provinces may require additional language proficiency assessments.

Occupational Training and Upgrading

If an applicant has not practised dental hygiene within a certain time limit before their application is received by the provincial regulator, the applicant may be required to successfully complete an approved clinical refresher course prior to taking the clinical competency examination. This varies with provinces so applicants must contact the provincial regulator for specific registration requirements.