Florida Dental Hygienist Licensure
Examination Practice Questions & [Verified
Answers], Plus Explained Rationales|2026
Latest Update| Instant Download PDF
1. A candidate is applying for initial Florida dental hygienist licensure
by examination. Which combination most accurately represents the
examinations required for a standard applicant who graduated from
an accredited dental hygiene program?
A. Florida Jurisprudence Examination only
B. National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, ADEX Dental Hygiene
Licensing Examination, and Florida Laws and Rules Examination
C. ADEX examination and Florida clinical examination only
D. National Board Dental Examination and Florida jurisprudence
examination only
Answer: B. National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, ADEX Dental
Hygiene Licensing Examination, and Florida Laws and Rules
Examination
Rationale: Florida's Board of Dentistry identifies successful completion
of the Dental Hygiene National Board Examination, the ADEX Dental
Hygiene Licensing Examination, and the Florida Laws and Rules
Examination as components of examination-based dental hygienist
licensure. The ADEX examination may have been completed in Florida
or another jurisdiction under the applicable requirements.
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,2. What is the minimum age generally required for an applicant
seeking Florida dental hygienist licensure by examination?
A. 16 years
B. 17 years
C. 18 years
D. 21 years
Answer: C. 18 years
Rationale: Florida Statutes specify that an applicant for dental
hygienist licensure by examination must be at least 18 years of age.
This is an eligibility requirement in addition to the educational and
examination requirements.
3. A dental hygienist graduated from a dental hygiene program
accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. Which
statement best describes the educational requirement for Florida
examination-based licensure?
A. The applicant must complete a Florida-specific two-year program
after graduation
B. The applicant must have graduated from a board-approved or
appropriately accredited dental hygiene program
C. The applicant must have completed a dental degree program
D. The applicant must complete an additional bachelor's degree in
public health
Answer: B. The applicant must have graduated from a board-
approved or appropriately accredited dental hygiene program
Rationale: Florida recognizes graduation from a dental hygiene
college or school approved by the Board or appropriately accredited
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,by CODA or another recognized accrediting entity. An additional
Florida dental hygiene degree is not generally required merely
because the applicant seeks Florida licensure.
4. Which organization administers the national examination
specifically designed for dental hygiene graduates?
A. American Dental Association Joint Commission on National Dental
Examinations
B. American Dental Education Association
C. American Board of Dental Examiners
D. Florida Department of Health
Answer: A. American Dental Association Joint Commission on
National Dental Examinations
Rationale: The National Board Dental Hygiene Examination is
administered through the national dental examination system
associated with the ADA's Joint Commission on National Dental
Examinations. Florida requires successful completion of the national
dental hygiene examination for the standard examination pathway.
5. A hygienist completed the ADEX Dental Hygiene Examination in
another state and wants to apply for Florida licensure. Which
statement is most accurate?
A. The ADEX examination must always be retaken in Florida
B. An out-of-state ADEX examination can never satisfy Florida
requirements
C. An eligible passing ADEX examination completed in another
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, jurisdiction may satisfy Florida's clinical examination requirement
D. Only a Florida school can administer the examination
Answer: C. An eligible passing ADEX examination completed in
another jurisdiction may satisfy Florida's clinical examination
requirement
Rationale: Florida recognizes qualifying ADEX Dental Hygiene
Examination results obtained in another jurisdiction. The Board's
current licensure information states that ADEX scores are accepted
when taken on or after June 1, 2010, subject to the applicable
requirements.
6. A candidate has failed the ADEX Dental Hygiene Examination three
times. What is the most appropriate conclusion under Florida law?
A. The candidate may immediately retake it an unlimited number of
times
B. The candidate becomes permanently ineligible for dental hygiene
licensure
C. The candidate must satisfy additional education requirements
specified by the Board before another attempt
D. The candidate must take the National Board Dental Examination
instead
Answer: C. The candidate must satisfy additional education
requirements specified by the Board before another attempt
Rationale: Florida law provides that after three unsuccessful attempts
at the ADEX Dental Hygiene Examination, the applicant is not eligible
for another attempt unless additional education requirements
specified by the Board have been completed.
4|Page
Examination Practice Questions & [Verified
Answers], Plus Explained Rationales|2026
Latest Update| Instant Download PDF
1. A candidate is applying for initial Florida dental hygienist licensure
by examination. Which combination most accurately represents the
examinations required for a standard applicant who graduated from
an accredited dental hygiene program?
A. Florida Jurisprudence Examination only
B. National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, ADEX Dental Hygiene
Licensing Examination, and Florida Laws and Rules Examination
C. ADEX examination and Florida clinical examination only
D. National Board Dental Examination and Florida jurisprudence
examination only
Answer: B. National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, ADEX Dental
Hygiene Licensing Examination, and Florida Laws and Rules
Examination
Rationale: Florida's Board of Dentistry identifies successful completion
of the Dental Hygiene National Board Examination, the ADEX Dental
Hygiene Licensing Examination, and the Florida Laws and Rules
Examination as components of examination-based dental hygienist
licensure. The ADEX examination may have been completed in Florida
or another jurisdiction under the applicable requirements.
1|Page
,2. What is the minimum age generally required for an applicant
seeking Florida dental hygienist licensure by examination?
A. 16 years
B. 17 years
C. 18 years
D. 21 years
Answer: C. 18 years
Rationale: Florida Statutes specify that an applicant for dental
hygienist licensure by examination must be at least 18 years of age.
This is an eligibility requirement in addition to the educational and
examination requirements.
3. A dental hygienist graduated from a dental hygiene program
accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. Which
statement best describes the educational requirement for Florida
examination-based licensure?
A. The applicant must complete a Florida-specific two-year program
after graduation
B. The applicant must have graduated from a board-approved or
appropriately accredited dental hygiene program
C. The applicant must have completed a dental degree program
D. The applicant must complete an additional bachelor's degree in
public health
Answer: B. The applicant must have graduated from a board-
approved or appropriately accredited dental hygiene program
Rationale: Florida recognizes graduation from a dental hygiene
college or school approved by the Board or appropriately accredited
2|Page
,by CODA or another recognized accrediting entity. An additional
Florida dental hygiene degree is not generally required merely
because the applicant seeks Florida licensure.
4. Which organization administers the national examination
specifically designed for dental hygiene graduates?
A. American Dental Association Joint Commission on National Dental
Examinations
B. American Dental Education Association
C. American Board of Dental Examiners
D. Florida Department of Health
Answer: A. American Dental Association Joint Commission on
National Dental Examinations
Rationale: The National Board Dental Hygiene Examination is
administered through the national dental examination system
associated with the ADA's Joint Commission on National Dental
Examinations. Florida requires successful completion of the national
dental hygiene examination for the standard examination pathway.
5. A hygienist completed the ADEX Dental Hygiene Examination in
another state and wants to apply for Florida licensure. Which
statement is most accurate?
A. The ADEX examination must always be retaken in Florida
B. An out-of-state ADEX examination can never satisfy Florida
requirements
C. An eligible passing ADEX examination completed in another
3|Page
, jurisdiction may satisfy Florida's clinical examination requirement
D. Only a Florida school can administer the examination
Answer: C. An eligible passing ADEX examination completed in
another jurisdiction may satisfy Florida's clinical examination
requirement
Rationale: Florida recognizes qualifying ADEX Dental Hygiene
Examination results obtained in another jurisdiction. The Board's
current licensure information states that ADEX scores are accepted
when taken on or after June 1, 2010, subject to the applicable
requirements.
6. A candidate has failed the ADEX Dental Hygiene Examination three
times. What is the most appropriate conclusion under Florida law?
A. The candidate may immediately retake it an unlimited number of
times
B. The candidate becomes permanently ineligible for dental hygiene
licensure
C. The candidate must satisfy additional education requirements
specified by the Board before another attempt
D. The candidate must take the National Board Dental Examination
instead
Answer: C. The candidate must satisfy additional education
requirements specified by the Board before another attempt
Rationale: Florida law provides that after three unsuccessful attempts
at the ADEX Dental Hygiene Examination, the applicant is not eligible
for another attempt unless additional education requirements
specified by the Board have been completed.
4|Page
