Brief Description: Modifying dental licensure provisions.

Sponsors: Representatives Moeller and Morrell.

Hearing Date: 1/24/06

Staff: Chris Blake (786-7392).

Background:

The practice of dentistry is regulated by the Dental Quality Assurance Commission (Commission). The Commission's responsibilities include coordinating examinations, adopting licensing requirements, investigating complaints of unprofessional conduct, and issuing findings of unprofessional conduct and imposing sanctions for those violations.

Applicants for a license to practice dentistry are required to: (1) show proof of graduation from a dental program approved by the Commission; (2) submit a recent picture; and (3) pass an examination approved by the Commission. The Washington Administrative Code specifies that the examination requirement is met by passing the written examination offered by the National Board and the practical examination offered by the Western Regional Examining Board. The examination requirement may be waived if the applicant holds a license to practice dentistry in another state, is currently engaged in practice in that state, and has graduated from a dental school approved by the Commission.

Summary of Bill:

It is specified that an applicant for a license to practice dentistry without examination who graduated from a dental school prior to the creation of the National Board Dental Examination is not required to take and pass that examination. The term "currently engaged in practice" is defined to mean that the person must have engaged in clinical practice for at least 288 hours per year for two of the three years prior to applying for the license.

It is specified that the exception from the practice of dentistry that applies to dental students acting under the direction of dental school faculty who are licensed in Washington applies to students who practice under a dentist who is licensed in Washington and is a member of a dental school faculty.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.