This is a critical topic for RDHs considering employment with any of MPM Dental's partnered practices across the Midwest and Southeast!
As a DSO supporting dental professionals, the focus is not just on what the rules are, but how they impact an RDH's career mobility and day-to-day practice.
Here is the next blog post, focusing specifically on licensure and practice rules, tailored for the MPMdental.com audience.
The RDH Rulebook: Licensure, CE, and Autonomy in Michigan, Indiana, & Tennessee
(Targeted for: RDHs seeking seamless career transitions within the MPM Dental network)
Navigate Your Professional Path with Confidence
At MPM Dental, our value proposition includes providing seamless administrative support and transparent information, allowing our professionals to rediscover the joy of dentistry. For the Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH), this starts with understanding the licensure rules that govern where and how you practice.
If you are an RDH looking to move or practice across state lines within our network—Michigan, Indiana, or Tennessee—here is the essential guide to renewal cycles, Continuing Education (CE) mandates, and the levels of autonomy that define your professional life.
Part I: License Renewal and Continuing Education (CE)
Maintaining your license is non-negotiable, but the effort required varies significantly. Indiana offers the most streamlined process, while Michigan has the most complex mandatory training requirements.
| Renewal Cycle | 3 Years | 2 Years | 2 Years |
| Total CE Hours | 36 Hours | 19 Hours | 30 Hours (over) |
| (over 3 years) | (over 2 years) | 2 Years | |
| Online/Self-Study Limit | Up to 18 Hours (Half) | Up to 9.5 Hours (Half) | Up to 50% (15 hours) |
The Mandatory CE Deep Dive
This is where the states show the most significant divergence. Compliance with these specific topics is absolutely required for renewal.
| Ethics/Jurisprudence | 1 Hour (plus delegation of duties) | 2 Hours (Ethics, Professional Responsibility & Statutes) | N/A |
| Pain Management | 2 Hours (Mandatory for all RDHs) | N/A | N/A |
| Chemical Dependency | N/A | N/A | 2 Hours (Mandatory for all RDHs) |
| Infection Control | 1 Hour | Covered by Federal OSHA Mandate | N/A |
| Implicit Basic | 3 Hours (Required in addition to 36 CE hours) | N/A | N/A |
| Human Trafficking | 1-Time Course (Required) | N/A | N/A |
| CPR/BLS | Required (Maintained, but does not count toward CE hours) | Required (Maintained) | Required (Maintained) |
MPM Excellence Note: While Indiana has the lowest total CE, Michigan RDHs must track several state-specific mandates, including Implicit Bias Training and Human Trafficking recognition. Tennessee focuses specifically on Chemical Dependency Education in response to regional substance abuse challenges.
Part II: Licensure by Endorsement (Reciprocity)
RDHs often seek licensure by endorsement—a pathway to practice based on a license held in good standing in another state, bypassing the need to retake a clinical exam.
| Renewal Cycle | 3 Years | 2 Years | 2 Years |
| Total CE Hours | 36 Hours | 19 Hours | 30 Hours (over) |