Registered Dental Hygiene in Alternative Practice (RDHAP)

The Dental Hygiene Board shall grant initial licensure as a Registered Dental Hygienist in Alternative Practice (RDHAP) to a person who satisfies all the requirements.

1. Holds a current California license as a registered dental hygienist and meets the following requirements:
1. Has been engaged in the practice of dental hygiene, as defined in Section 1908, as a registered dental hygienist in any setting, including, but not limited to, educational settings and public health settings, for a minimum of 2,000 hours during the immediately preceding 36 months.
2. Has successfully completed a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent, recognized as a minimum of 120 semester credit hours or 180 quarter credit hours in postsecondary education, from a college or institution of higher education that is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education, and a minimum of 150 hours of additional educational requirements, as prescribed by the dental hygiene board by regulation, that are consistent with good dental and dental hygiene practice, including, but not necessarily limited to, dental hygiene technique and theory including gerontology and medical emergencies, and business administration and practice management.
2. Has received a letter of acceptance into the employment utilization phase of the Health Workforce Pilot Project No. 155 established by the Department of Health Care Access and Information pursuant to Article 1 (commencing with Section 128125) of Chapter 3 of Part 3 of Division 107 of the Health and Safety Code.

How To Submit An Application

Online Application Submission:

Applicants are encouraged to use the online portal to apply for licensure to become an RDHAP. You can upload the required licensing documents and pay the application fees online through the BreEZe computer system at www.breeze.ca.gov. The online BreEZe system allows one opportunity to upload your documents with your initial application. All documents must be in either the .pdf or .jpeg format when uploading to your application. Applicants may email subsequent documents in the same format to dhbcapplicantsinfo@dca.ca.gov. The accepted method of fee payment is with a credit card for online applications only.

Paper Application Submissions:

Applicants may submit a hard copy paper application with the required licensing documents and application fee at the following link: RDHAP Paper Application

Please make the check, cashier’s check, or money order payable to: DHBC and mail completed application to:

Dental Hygiene Board of California (DHBC)
ATTN: Licensing Program
2005 Evergreen Street, Ste. 1350
Sacramento, CA 95815

Please use the following documents and links to complete the RDHAP Application process.

• RDHAP Clinical Application Checklist
• Application Processing Time

Note: This information is also on the online application www.breeze.ca.gov.

Additional Forms

• Dentist (DDS) Relationship Form
• Clinical Practice Hours Form
• Livescan Fingerprint Form
• Request for Special Accommodations for taking the Law and Ethics Written Exam

If Applicable Additional Forms

• Out-of-State Licensure Certification Form
• Request for Hard Fingerprints Cards

Links to:

• Law and Ethics Written Examinations - PSI Candidate Handbook
• Approved RDHAP Educational Programs