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Application Timelines

All timelines are approximate.

Processing Timeline

TIME: 10 business days

APPLIES TO: All applicants

NOTE: Complete applications are processed within 10 business days from the date all required documents are received.

National Dental Hygiene Certification Examination (NDHCE)

TIME: Results issued approximately one month after completion.

  • Held three times per year.
  • Completion timeline varies depending on the number of required attempts (three allotted attempts.
    A fourth and final attempt may be granted by the Registration Committee).

APPLIES TO: Accredited and non-accredited education applicants

Canadian Performance Examination in Dental Hygiene (CPEDH)

TIME:

  • Held one-two times per year, depending on the demand
  • Completion of the NDHCE is a prerequisite

APPLIES TO: Non-accredited education applicants

Jurisprudence Examination

TIME: One day. Timeline dependent on the number of required attempts (no limit to the number of attempts).

APPLIES TO: All applicants

NOTES: Applicants must complete the exam within the 12-month period immediately before submitting their completed application.

Refresher Course or Competency Assessment

TIME: Refresher Course: Three-six months; Competency Assessment: Two days

APPLIES TO: Applicants who:

  • graduated from an accredited program in dental hygiene three years or more before applying to CDHO, and have not practised dental hygiene in the intervening period; or
  • were previously registered as a Dental Hygienist in Ontario or in another jurisdiction but have not practised dental hygiene in the past three years.

NOTES: Applicants have the option of completing a refresher course or competency assessment.

Educational Assessment — Substantial Equivalency

IMPORTANT: Non-accredited dental hygiene programs completed within Canada or the United States on or before March 26, 2015, will not be considered to meet the registration requirements and are not eligible for assessment by either the FDHRC or CDHO.

TIME: Three months. The assessment process may be longer if the Committee determines that further documentation or clarification is needed.

APPLIES TO: Non-accredited education applicants that the FDHRC has determined are not eligible for the NDHCE or whose programs the FDHRC will not assess.

Written Competency Evaluation

TIME: One day. Scheduling time may vary.

APPLIES TO: Non-accredited education applicants whose education programs the Registration Committee has deemed to be substantially equivalent to an accredited program in dental hygiene.

Clinical Competency Evaluation

TIME: One day. Scheduling time may vary.

APPLIES TO: Non-accredited education applicants whose education programs the Registration Committee has deemed to be substantially equivalent to an accredited program in dental hygiene.

NOTES: Successful completion of the written competency evaluation is a prerequisite.

Professional Liability Insurance

TIME: Varied

APPLIES TO: All applicants

Canadian Police Information Centre Criminal Record Report (CPIC report)

TIME: Varied

APPLIES TO: All applicants

NOTES: Valid for 12 months from date of issuance.

Proof of Canadian Work Authorization

TIME: Varied

APPLIES TO: All applicants

NOTES: Documents with an expiration date must still be valid at the time of registration.

Transcripts

TIME: Varied

APPLIES TO: All applicants

Certificate of Professional Conduct

TIME: Varied. CDHO processing timeframe is 15 business days.

APPLIES TO: Some applicants

Registrar Review

TIME: 30 Days

APPLIES TO: Some applicants

Registration Committee Referral

TIME: Varied. Timelines dependent on the nature of the referral and applicant’s submission of requirements.

APPLIES TO: Some applicants