HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 2126
As Passed Legislature
Title: An act relating to inactive licenses for dentists.
Brief Description: Allowing a dentist to obtain an inactive license.
Sponsors: Representatives Dyer, Cody, Sheldon, Smith, Van Luven, Thompson and Murray.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Health Care: 1/16/96 [DP].
Floor Activity:
Passed House: 1/22/96, 94-0.
Senate Amended.
House Concurred.
Passed Legislature.
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 11 members: Representatives Dyer, Chairman; Backlund, Vice Chairman; Hymes, Vice Chairman; Cody, Ranking Minority Member; Murray, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Campbell; Casada; Conway; Crouse; Sherstad and H. Sommers.
Staff: John Welsh (786-7133).
Background: The Dental Quality Assurance Commission governs the practice of dentistry by examining applicants for licensure and acting as the dental disciplinary authority.
A person may not practice dentistry without obtaining a license, which is renewable annually, and paying the license fee, currently set at $220.
There is no inactive license status for dentists retiring from the practice or moving out of state or otherwise ceasing practice in this state. Such a license would command a lower fee resulting from fewer costs.
Summary of Bill: The Dental Quality Assurance Commission is authorized to establish by rule an inactive license status. A dentist may place his or her license on inactive status, but may not practice without first activating the license.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Testimony For: Dentists wishing to remain licensed while disengaging from active practice for a variety of reasons, such as teaching or military service, are served by the inactive license status. This is currently available for physicians and nurses in this state.
Testimony Against: None.
Testified: Linda Hull, Washington State Dental Association (pro); and Ron Weaver, Department of Health (pro).