Dental Hygienist Initial Registration

General registration requirements 

• a recognized dental hygiene diploma or a recognized dental hygiene degree.

  If your program is not listed in Schedule C of the BCCOHP Bylaws or not considered an accredited program by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada (CDAC), and you are not currently registered as a practising dental hygienist in another Canadian jurisdiction, you may satisfy this requirement by completing the Federation of Dental Hygiene Regulators of Canada’s (FDHRC) Canadian Performance Exam in Dental Hygiene (CPEDH). To confirm if you need to complete the CPEDH, you can reach out to the Registration Department using the Contact form on the Contact Us page. 

• successful completion of the National Dental Hygiene Certification Examination (NDHCE) administered by the FDHRC  
• Successful completion of the BCCOHP’s Jurisprudence Module (JEM). See Step 6 below for more information. 

This online application process will require you to open a web account and submit the required information for your registration with BCCOHP. If you already have a web account from before, you can apply using the same account.  

• Your application must be completed in one attempt.  
• If you logout or close your web browser, your partially completed application will not be saved.  
• You will be able to upload documents after your application has been completed.  
• The online application process may take up to 20 minutes.  
• The general application processing time is eight weeks. Please note that incomplete applications or insufficient information may delay your application process.  
• A criminal record check (CRC) may take four weeks to process. To ensure timely submission, please submit your initial payment and notarized copy of government issued photo ID, required for CRC submission, as soon as you can.  

​Step 1: Create an online account 

If you have not been a registrant with BCCOHP, you will need to create a new account. Once you complete reading the following instructions, click on “Apply now >>” at the bottom to create an online account to start the application process. You will be required to enter your contact information. 

Step 2: Log in to start application 

You will require the following information to complete the online application form:  

• Contact information – home and practice addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses (if applicable)  
• BC Driver’s Licence number or other form of government issued photo identification  
• Dental education – institution, graduation/conferral date, degree/diploma received  
• National Dental Hygiene Certification Examination (NDHCE) certification information  
• Canadian Performance Exam in Dental Hygiene (CPEDH) information (if applicable) 
• Names of other jurisdiction(s) you have been registered with, along with dates  
• Malpractice insurance information  

Step 3: Submit payment of application and criminal record check (CRC) fees 

Once the application is completed, you will be prompted to pay the application and criminal record check fees (non-refundable).  

NOTE: A separate payment of the registration fee will be required once BCCOHP staff have confirmed application completion. This takes place closer to the end of the application process.  

Payment options are as follows:  

• Credit card (Visa, Mastercard)  
• Cheque/money order (mail)  

Step 4: Submit/upload required documents 

Once you have completed the application, you will be able to upload the required documents. For documents that require notarization, please only upload these documents after they are notarized.  

For all documents that require notarization, the original must be received by the BCCOHP office. At this time, we ask that you send via mail rather than delivering in person.​ For our mailing address, please visit our contact page​.​  

• Notarized Statutory declaration (available for download during the application process)  
• Notarized Photo Identification Notarization form, along with notarized photocopy of two pieces of photo ID (one primary and one secondary) 
• Notarized or certified copy of education degree/diploma*†  
• Notarized or certified copy of NDHCE certificate​*†  
• Certificates or Letters of Standing from jurisdictions currently and/or previously registered/certified with  
• Name change documents (if required)  

*If the applicant is currently registered/certified to practise dental hygiene in another Canadian jurisdiction, and the applicant is applying for the same or equivalent registration class in BC while they hold active registration in the other Canadian jurisdiction, submission of these documents is not required.  

†If confirmation of successful completion is provided to BCCOHP by your educational institution or the FDHRC directly, notarization of these documents is not required during submission.  

IMPORTANT: If you have ever been or are currently registered/licensed in another province or country, please contact that provincial or national regulatory body to request a Certificate of Standing or Letter of Standing for your BCCOHP application. The certificate must be delivered directly to BCCOHP from the licensing/regulating body in a sealed envelope.  

The certificate is valid for up to 60 days from the date that it was signed. If your registration application is not completed within 60 days of the dated Certificate of Standing or Letter of Standing, a new certificate will be required.  

Step 5: Submit payment of registration fee 

Once all the required documents are received and your application is ready to be finalized, you will receive an email notification to make your final payment. You will need to log in to your account and pay the registration fee. View the list of dental hygiene registration fees ​on Schedule A.  

Step 6: Complete JEM and provide proof of completion 

You are required to complete the BCCOHP’s Jurisprudence Module (JEM) and attest to completion. The link to the module will be available on the Application Status page after you apply online. You can complete the module any time after you submit your application.  

Step 7: Registration confirmation 

Once your registration fee has been processed, you will be sent an email from BCCOHP within three to five business days confirming that your status has been changed to active.  

You cannot practise until you receive a registration confirmation email.  

Apply now >>  

General registration requirements 

• a recognized dental hygiene degree.

  If your program is not listed in Schedule C of the BCCOHP Bylaws or not considered an accredited program by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada (CDAC), and you are not currently registered as a practising dental hygienist in another Canadian jurisdiction, you may satisfy this requirement by completing the Federation of Dental Hygiene Regulators of Canada’s (FDHRC) Canadian Performance Exam in Dental Hygiene (CPEDH). To confirm if you need to complete the CPEDH, you can reach out to the Registration Department using the Contact form on the Contact Us page  

• successful completion of the National Dental Hygiene Certification Examination (NDHCE) administered by the FDHRC  
• Successful completion of the BCCOHP’s Jurisprudence Module (JEM). See Step 6 below for more information.  

This online application process will require you to open a web account and submit the required information for your registration with BCCOHP. If you already have a web account from before, you can apply using the same account.  

• Your application must be completed in one attempt.  
• If you logout or close your web browser, your partially completed application will not be saved.  
• You will be able to upload documents after your application has been completed.  
• The online application process may take up to 20 minutes.  
• The general application processing time is eight weeks. Please note that incomplete applications or insufficient information may delay your application process.  
• A criminal record check (CRC) may take four weeks to process. To ensure timely submission, please submit your initial payment and notarized copy of government issued photo ID, required for CRC submission, as soon as you can.  

​Step 1: Create an online account 

If you have not been a registrant with BCCOHP, you will need to create a new account. Once you complete reading the following instructions, click on “Apply now >>” at the bottom to create an online account to start the application process. You will be required to enter your contact information. 

Step 2: Log in to start application 

You will require the following information to complete the online application form:  

• Contact information – home and practice addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses (if applicable)  
• BC Driver’s Licence number or other form of government issued photo identification  
• Dental education – institution, graduation/conferral date, degree received  
• National Dental Hygiene Certification Examination (NDHCE) certification information  
• Canadian Performance Exam in Dental Hygiene (CPEDH) information (if applicable) 
• Names of other jurisdiction(s) you have been registered with, along with dates  
• Malpractice insurance information  

Step 3: Submit payment of application and criminal record check (CRC) fees 

Once the application is completed, you will be prompted to pay the application and criminal record check fees (non-refundable).  

NOTE: A separate payment of the registration fee will be required once BCCOHP staff have confirmed application completion. This takes place closer to the end of the application process.  

Payment options are as follows:  

• Credit card (Visa, Mastercard)  
• Cheque/money order (mail)  

Step 4: Submit/upload required documents 

Once you have completed the application, you will be able to upload the required documents. For documents that require notarization, please only upload these documents after they are notarized.  

For all documents that require notarization, the original must be received by the BCCOHP office. At this time, we ask that you send via mail rather than delivering in person.​ For our mailing address, please visit our contact page​.​  

• Notarized Statutory declaration (available for download during the application process)  
• Notarized Photo Identification Notarization form, along with notarized photocopy of two pieces of photo ID (one primary and one secondary) 
• Notarized or certified copy of education degree/diploma*†  
• Notarized or certified copy of NDHCE certificate​*†  
• Certificates or Letters of Standing from jurisdictions currently and/or previously registered/certified with  
• Name change documents (if required)  

*If the applicant is currently registered/certified to practise dental hygiene in another Canadian jurisdiction, and the applicant is applying for the same or equivalent registration class in BC while they hold active registration in the other Canadian jurisdiction, submission of these documents is not required.  

†If confirmation of successful completion is provided to BCCOHP by your educational institution or the FDHRC directly, notarization of these documents is not required during submission.  

IMPORTANT: If you have ever been or are currently registered/licensed in another province or country, please contact that provincial or national regulatory body to request a Certificate of Standing or Letter of Standing for your BCCOHP application. The certificate must be delivered directly to BCCOHP from the licensing/regulating body in a sealed envelope.  

The certificate is valid for up to 60 days from the date that it was signed. If your registration application is not completed within 60 days of the dated Certificate of Standing or Letter of Standing, a new certificate will be required.  

Step 5: Submit payment of registration fee 

Once all the required documents are received and your application is ready to be finalized, you will receive an email notification to make your final payment. You will need to log in to your account and pay the registration fee. View the list of dental hygiene registration fees ​on Schedule A.  

Step 6: Complete JEM and provide proof of completion 

You are required to complete the BCCOHP’s Jurisprudence Module (JEM) and attest to completion. The link to the module will be available on the Application Status page after you apply online. You can complete the module any time after you submit your application.  

Step 7: Registration confirmation 

Once your registration fee has been processed, you will be sent an email from BCCOHP within three to five business days confirming that your status has been changed to active.  

You cannot practise until you receive a registration confirmation email.  

Apply now >>  

Class description 

This registration category is available to dental hygienists for the purpose of participating in or conducting an educational program or course, or administering or delivering an examination or assessment, that is sponsored by an agency approved by the registration committee. 

General registration requirements 

• Holds current registration or licensure in another jurisdiction as the equivalent of a Registered Dental Hygienist or a Dental Hygiene Practitioner  
• Successful completion of the BCCOHP’s Jurisprudence Module (JEM). BCCOHP staff will contact you for access to complete the module upon receipt of your application.  

Registration conditions 

• may be granted for a period not exceeding 30 days and may be granted again to a previous temporary registrant 
• may only practise dental hygiene for the purpose described above and must not practise dental hygiene on a fee-for-service basis. 

Application package 

Temporary registration  

IMPORTANT: If you have ever been or are currently registered/licensed in another province or country, please contact that provincial or national regulatory body to request a Certificate of Standing or Letter of Standing for your BCCOHP application. The certificate must be delivered directly to BCCOHP from the licensing/regulating body in a sealed envelope. 

The certificate is valid for up to 60 days from the date that it was signed. If the applicant does not have their registration/certification process completed within the 60 days, a new certificate will be required.