NBDHE · ADA JCNDE (United States)
National Board
Dental Hygiene.
Free 20-question NBDHE diagnostic, built from real exam-style items. See exactly where you stand across all 3 domains in about 30 minutes — no signup to start, instant topic-gap report.
20 questions · ~30 min · no signup to start · instant topic-gap report
Mock variants
5 ways to sit NBDHE.
Blueprint · topic weights
3 domains, honestly weighted.
Diagnostic and mock items are sampled in proportion to the published ADA JCNDE (United States) competency document — never random.
FAQ
Everything candidates ask about NBDHE.
- Who writes the NBDHE?
- The National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) is administered by the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations (JCNDE), an ADA body. It is required for US dental hygiene licensure in all states and is also recognised by Canadian dental hygiene regulators (the exam runs at Pearson VUE centres in both countries year-round).
- What is the NBDHE format?
- Per the 2026 NBDHE Candidate Guide: 350 total items split across two components. Component A is 200 discipline-based multiple-choice items (Scientific Basis ~30%; Provision of Clinical Dental Hygiene Services ~58%; Community Health and Research Principles ~12%, with testlets). Component B is 150 case-based items grouped into 12-15 patient cases with 8-15 items per case. Item time is 7 hours 30 minutes within a 9-hour total appointment (two sessions with a 30-minute between-session break + 15-minute in-session optional breaks).
- What is the NBDHE pass mark?
- The JCNDE reports a scale score from 49-99 using criterion-referenced standard-setting equated across forms. The passing scaled score is 75. Failing candidates receive a performance breakdown across all three Component A sections and the case-based Component B; passing candidates receive a single pass indicator.
- When is the NBDHE administered and what does it cost?
- The 2026 NBDHE is delivered year-round at Pearson VUE centres in the US and Canada — there are no fixed testing windows. The 2026 examination fee is USD $600; candidates from non-CODA-accredited dental hygiene programs pay an additional $435 international processing fee.
- Can I retake the NBDHE?
- Per 2026 JCNDE policy: 60-day minimum wait between unsuccessful attempts (liberalized from 90 days), maximum 4 attempts per calendar year, with a 5-attempt-in-5-years cap. After 5 unsuccessful attempts a candidate must wait 12 months before attempting again. (2025 policy required a 90-day wait — verify currency against the JCNDE 2026 Candidate Guide if more than one cycle has passed.)
- How long should I study for the NBDHE?
- Most candidates allocate 10 to 14 weeks of dedicated prep, with two weeks on Scientific Basis (Domain ~30%), four weeks on Provision of Clinical Dental Hygiene Services (Domain ~58%, the largest band), one week on Community Health and Research Principles (Domain ~12%), and three to four weeks of mixed Component A mocks plus Component B case packs.
- What does Lumen's NBDHE module cover?
- Lumen's NBDHE module follows the JCNDE 2026 content outline with the published weightings — Component A discipline-based item mocks, Component B case packs (8-15 items per case), and topic-level gap analysis so you target the right percentages of practice toward each section. Note: the JCNDE 2026 Guide signals an October 2026 'After Update' rename of the third area to 'Research Principles and Community Health' with a slight weight shift to ~10%; Lumen will mirror that update when it lands.
- How do I sign up for Lumen?
- You can take the free diagnostic without an account. To save attempts, see rationales, and unlock full mocks, sign in with email — we send a magic link, no password to forget.
- Are rationales reviewed by clinicians?
- Yes. Every item ships with a clinician-written rationale that cites the published competency guideline it maps to. Items flagged by users get re-reviewed within a business day.
From the blog
Further reading.
Why Lumen for NBDHE
Built by clinicians, priced for students.
01
Blueprint-aligned items.
Topic weights match the published competency document. No guessing what the test cares about.
02
Every rationale signed.
A licensed clinician wrote, reviewed, and cited every explanation. Flag one and we re-review within a day.
03
Diagnostic before you pay.
Free 20-item diagnostic with full topic gap analysis. No credit card. Decide if we’re right for you, then upgrade.
Independent study tool. Not endorsed by NDEB, ADA, or JCNDE. We do not promise passing scores. All items are exam-style and based on publicly available competency guidelines.