Dental Hygiene is a licensed profession, requiring successful completion of the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, the Western Regional Examining Board (WREB), and a state Jurisprudence Examination. The National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, given during the spring semester of the second year, is a comprehensive written examination covering dental and dental hygiene sciences, theoretical aspects of patient care, and principles of dental hygiene therapy. The WREB is offered immediately before graduation and requires a practical demonstration of clinical competence. A Texas license to practice dental hygiene is granted upon successful completion of the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, WREB, the Texas Jurisprudence Exam, and payment of appropriate fees to the State Board of Dental Examiners.