36-6A-44.2. Criteria for license to practice as dental hygienist.
Any person desiring to practice as a dental hygienist may obtain a license to practice as a dental hygienist if the applicant satisfies each of the following criteria:
(1)The application for a license to practice as a dental hygienist is in writing and signed by the applicant;
(2)The applicant has passed a standardized national comprehensive examination approved by the board;
(3)The applicant has graduated from an American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation accredited United States dental hygiene school, having obtained a dental hygiene degree;
(4)Within five years preceding the date of application, the applicant has passed a clinical regional or national examination approved by the board or a state examination or examinations that the board deems equivalent;
(5)The applicant has passed an examination concerning the state laws and rules relating to dentistry;
(6)The applicant has no disciplinary proceeding or unresolved disciplinary complaint pending before a dental board at the time a license is to be issued by the board; and
(7)The applicant provides references that indicate the applicant is of good moral character.
The board may require a laboratory or clinical examination of an applicant if it has reason to believe the applicant cannot practice safely.
Any foreign-trained or any other graduate from a dental hygiene program not accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation may apply for a license to practice as a dental hygienist. The board, by rule promulgated pursuant to chapter 1-26, shall establish requirements to reasonably ensure that an applicant's training and education are sufficient for licensure.
Source: SL 2015, ch 199, §50.