What does it cost to register as a dental hygienist in Ontario?
Passing the NDHCE does not mean you can start working. In Ontario you also have to register with the College, and that has its own costs.
Here is what registering as a dental hygienist in Ontario costs, using the published fee schedules.
Short answer
In Ontario you pay two organizations: the FDHRC for the NDHCE, which is $960.50 with 13% HST, and the College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario (CDHO) for your registration.
CDHO charges a $50 application fee and a first certificate fee of $207.50 if you register within 12 months of graduating, or $415 if it's later. Together with the exam, that's $1,218.00 or $1,425.50.
Renewal of a General or Specialty certificate is $415. It opens October 15 and is due December 1.
What you pay to get registered
The first registration has three charges that the two organizations list: the exam, the CDHO application and the first certificate. The exam is paid to the FDHRC. The other two go to the CDHO.
| Charge | Paid to | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| NDHCE registration ($850 plus 13% HST) | FDHRC | $960.50 |
| Application | CDHO | $50 |
| General Certificate of Registration, within 12 months of graduating | CDHO | $207.50 |
| General Certificate of Registration, more than 12 months after graduating | CDHO | $415 |
| Total, within 12 months of graduating | All three | $1,218.00 |
| Total, more than 12 months after graduating | All three | $1,425.50 |
The 13% HST on the exam applies to people who live in Ontario, and the totals are our own sums of the fees above.
How timing changes the certificate fee
The certificate fee depends on when you register. Within 12 months of graduating it's $207.50. If you register more than 12 months after graduating it's $415, which is $207.50 more.
What it costs every year
The registration year runs from January 1 to December 31. Renewal of a General or Specialty certificate is $415. It opens on October 15, and the deadline, including payment of the fee, is December 1. Renewals received after December 1 carry a $100 late penalty.
The CDHO also asks registrants with a General or Specialty certificate to submit a copy of their professional liability insurance policy when they renew. The policy itself is a cost this page doesn't cover.
What isn't in these numbers
This is the exam, application and first certificate. Other routes have their own fees on the CDHO's page, for example the CDHO Assessment of Educational Credentials, the CDHO Written Assessment and the CDHO Clinical Competency Evaluation. School costs, insurance and prep material aren't included.
The one-time registration costs and the yearly renewal are different things, so budget for both.
As always, the College's current fee schedule is the final word.
Frequently asked questions
How much do the exam and first registration cost in Ontario?
$1,218.00 if you register within 12 months of graduating, or $1,425.50 if you register later. That adds the NDHCE at $960.50 with 13% HST, the CDHO application at $50, and the General Certificate of Registration at $207.50 or $415. Other fees apply to other routes.
How much does the CDHO charge to renew?
$415 for a General or Specialty certificate. Renewal opens October 15 and is due December 1, with a $100 late penalty after that.
Does the NDHCE fee include HST?
No. The FDHRC lists $850 plus applicable tax. Ontario residents pay 13% HST, which makes it $960.50.
Sources
- CDHO: FeesFee for applicants registering within 12 months of graduationChecked October 18, 2026
- CDHO: Annual RenewalA $100 late penalty fee is charged for renewals received after December 1Checked October 18, 2026
- FDHRC: 2026 Fee ScheduleThis includes a $62.00 (+ tax) non-refundable feeChecked October 18, 2026