Q: How long is the National Dental Hygiene Canadian Examination or the NDHCE?

  • The exam is 4 hours in total. Part I is 2 hours and Part II is 2 hours. There is a compulsory 15 min break in between.
  • It consists of 200 items in total, of which 20 are experimental questions that are tested for statistics gathering only (these items will not count towards the final score).
  • For the full guide and breakdown of the exam, click here.


Q: What types of questions will I see in the exam?

  • There are only multiple-choice questions in the NDHCE. Only one of the possible answers choices is correct.
  • 20-30% of the questions are case-based items.
  • 70-80% of the questions are independent items.


Q: What is a case study in the exam?

  • Case study test items consist of a description of a client in a clinical or community health situation followed by a series of three to six multiple-choice test items. The description in the case study will be entirely written information and may include radiographic material.


StudentRDH dental hygiene (online) boards prep solution features case studies. Find them under Community Oral Health and NDHCE Mock exam when you sign up.


Q: What is the schedule on the day of the exam?

  • The examination questions are divided into two separate 2-hour sessions with a 15-minute break in between.
  • All candidates are required to attend both consecutive sessions. Partial credit is not given.


Q: How can I take notes during the exam?

  • There is no manual note-taking during the examination, but candidates will be able to use a notepad function on the computer.


StudentRDH’s advice

Use an online review tool that tests your knowledge on the computer. If you get used to studying and taking tests on paper, you are at higher risk of failure.


Here is the science: Social media has trained us to read fast on the computer. If you did NOT retrain yourself to read carefully on the computer, all your hard work in dental hygiene school would go down the drain.


The only way to overcome this challenge is by using a dental hygiene boards prep tool that is built into the computer, just like StudentRDH.

Q: What else can I bring to the exam?

  • Transparent water bottle, with all labels, removed
  • Earplugs
  • Extra clothing
  • No books, papers, electronic equipment are permitted on or around the examination desk


Q: What is the passing grade?

  • The passing score is calculated using a proven psychometric method. The scaled score range is from 200 to 800 with a passing score of 550. Candidates whose total score is at or above 550 pass the exam. Candidates whose total score is below 550 do not pass the exam.


Q: When are the results reported?

  • A list of the ID number of all the candidates who have written the most recent examination (with the caption “pass,” “fail” or “Under Review”) will be posted on the NDHCB website as soon as it is available from the Testing Agency.
  • Results will be sent to the candidate within 6 weeks after the testing date.
  • The successful candidates will also get a copy of their certificate through regular mail while the unsuccessful candidates will get their results through email.


Q: How can I cancel or reschedule the exam?

  • A candidate who requests transfer of examination fees to a future date must notify the NDHCB in writing (by mail, email or fax) no later than two (2) weeks prior to the original examination date.
  • A candidate may have his/her examination fees transferred to a future examination one time only.


"I tried everything else. StudentRDH is the best!" Kathy N, Toronto, ON


Q: How many times can I retake the exam?

  • A candidate will be allowed a maximum of three (3) opportunities to write the NDHCE.


Q: How do I study for the National Dental Hygiene Canadian Examination (NDHCE)?

  • You have a few options: Mosby review book, Darby review book, StudentRDH online boards prep solution.
  • Make sure that you become familiar with the computer format. The exam is 100% on the computer. Students who go to the exam without practicing on a computer are more likely to fail.
  • Find a solution such as StudentRDH that has a full mock exam just like the one you will see on the NDHCE with a timer.


Failing the exam is costly. It is financially and emotionally draining. Find a way to get prepared as much as possible. We would like to emphasize the need for a STEP by STEP dental hygiene boards prep that gives you everything you need.

Study guides + Quiz + Mock exam.

It is extremely important that you prepare yourself for the computer exam. Students who have only used books are likely to panic when seeing the computer exam for the first time in their lives. The format was not what they expected, and frustration pushed them to fail. Prevent this by using a dental hygiene boards prep that is built on the computer, such as StudentRDH. Don’t make mistakes others have made. Be a #SUCCESS.


"I am so glad I found StudentRDH" - Jayne A, Vancouver, BC

Q: How do I apply for the National Dental Hygiene Canadian Examination (NDHCE)?

  • Online: You can fill an exam application, upload a photograph of yourself and pay by credit card online. Click here.
  • By mail: You can download and print an Examination Application Form to write the NDHCE. Click here.


Q: What are the next dates for the National Dental Hygiene Canadian Examination (NDHCE)?

  • Every year, the exam is offered on certain dates in January, May, and September.
  • Please check the NDHCB website to find out the exact dates.