If I was to move out of state would my dental hygienist license allow me to work anywhere ?

That is a great answer! More specifically, whenever you are initially licensed, you will take a national board (written or computerized exam) and a regional board (a hands on practical test). The regional board allows you to work, without re-testing, in any of the states that subscribe to it. For example, SRTA (southern regional testing authority) was at one time accepted by states like GA, VA, SC, MS, TN and so on - but not by FL. Other exams, like CRDTS, are accepted by as many 32 states!

The good thing is that these days, after you have worked a few years as a hygienist, most states will allow you to just fill out paperwork, take a test on their laws and pay a few hundred dollars to make a switch.

Typically your license is state-specific and will not apply in your new state. However, you can still move and get relicensed in your new state. This is quite common. Lawyers do the same thing when they move states, and many other professions do as well. If being a Dental Hygienist is something you're excited about, but you also see yourself living in multiple places in the future, you shouldn't let the licensing requirements be a barrier. You should be fine as long as you continue to stay up on your craft, and prepare for each licensing exam.

Look up the licensing laws because I wanted to move from Connecticut to Florida, but could not do so without retaking my Boards. I am now in Texas which allows you to just apply for licensure via credentials. Each state is different and sometimes it may not be so easy to go from state to state depending on which regional exam you take. Good luck!