I. For the protection of the public health, safety, and welfare, any person providing dental hygiene services in New Hampshire shall submit evidence that such person is qualified to provide those services and shall be licensed as provided in this chapter. No person shall provide dental hygiene services in New Hampshire or use any sign, card, device or the abbreviation R.D.H. or any other designation indicating such person is providing dental hygiene services, unless such person has been licensed under the provisions of this chapter.
II. Applications for licensure as a dental hygienist shall be made to the board in writing and shall be accompanied by a fee established by the office of professional licensure and certification and by satisfactory proof that the applicant is a graduate of a school of dentistry or a school of dental hygiene with a minimum of a 2-year program in an institution of higher education, the program of which is accredited by a national accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Commission on Dental Accreditation.