WSR 21-09-011
PERMANENT RULES
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
(Dental Quality Assurance Commission)
[Filed April 8, 2021, 11:55 a.m., effective May 9, 2021]
Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing.
Purpose: WAC 246-817-120 Examination content, the dental quality assurance commission (commission) adopted permanent rule amendments to add the Joint Commission's Dental Licensure Objective Structured Clinical Examination (DLOSCE) to the list of allowable practical/clinical examinations and to allow an applicant the option to pass components of the practical examination using a maximum of two testing agencies administering all the practical examination sections in coordination with each other.
The commission adopted an emergency rule to add the Joint Commission on National Dental Examination's DLOSCE to the list of allowable practical/clinical examinations; and to allow an applicant to pass components of the practical examination using one or more testing agencies, rather than only one agency. When this permanent rule becomes effective, it will supersede the existing emergency rule.
In response to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), all regional, patient-based clinical dentist examinations were cancelled for 2020 in the United States. Examination restrictions have continued into 2021. Prior to COVID-19, the commission was evaluating the new DLOSCE as it was being developed. The pandemic caused the Joint Commission to publish the DLOSCE one year earlier than anticipated.
The commission received a request from the University of Washington School of Dentistry and other dental organizations to approve a new simulated-based clinical exam. The DLOSCE is a practical/clinical examination that is computer-based and does not use patients. Adding DLOSCE to the list of allowable practical/clinical examinations will allow graduates an additional examination option to obtain Washington state dentist licensure.
Regional examination testing agencies have developed simulated-based clinical dentist examinations to replace patient-based examinations. However, one or more of the testing agencies are unable to offer all required sections through simulated-based examination. Removing the requirement for all examination content sections to be passed with a single testing agency will provide additional options for new graduates to obtain clinical examinations for Washington state dentist licensure.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 246-817-120.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 18.32.002 and 18.32.0365.
Other Authority: RCW 18.32.040.
Adopted under notice filed as WSR 21-04-024 on January 25, 2021.
Changes Other than Editing from Proposed to Adopted Version: The adopted rule does not differ from text of the proposed rule as published. The text does differ from the emergency rule filed. The commission determined during collaborative rule making that allowing two or more testing agencies was too broad and limited the number of testing agencies an applicant can use to two that have coordinated with each other. When this permanent rule becomes effective, it will supersede the existing emergency rule.
A final cost-benefit analysis is available by contacting Jennifer Santiago, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504, phone 360-236-4893, fax 360-236-2901, TTY 711, email jennifer.santiago@doh.wa.gov, website www.doh.wa.gov/dental, dental@doh.wa.gov.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0.
Date Adopted: March 12, 2021.
Aaron Stevens, D.M.D., Chairperson
Dental Quality Assurance Commission
OTS-2209.3
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 19-15-094, filed 7/22/19, effective 8/22/19)
WAC 246-817-120Examination content.
(1) An applicant seeking dentist licensure in Washington by examination, must successfully pass a written and practical examination approved by the Dental Quality Assurance Commission (commission).
The examination will consist of:
(a) A written examination. The Integrated National Board Dental Examination, Parts I and II of the National Board Dental Examination, or the Canadian National Dental Examining Board examination will be accepted, except as provided in subsection (4) of this section.
(b) A practical examination containing at least the following sections:
(i) Restorative;
(ii) Endodontic;
(iii) Periodontal;
(iv) Prosthodontic; and
(v) Comprehensive treatment planning or diagnostic skills.
(2)(a) The commission accepts the following practical examinations provided the testing agency offers at least the sections listed in subsection (1)(b) of this section:
(i) The Western Regional Examining Board's (WREB) clinical examination;
(ii) The Central Regional Dental Testing Services (CRDTS) clinical examination;
(iii) The Commission on Dental Competency Assessments (CDCA) formally known as Northeast Regional Board (NERB) clinical examination;
(iv) The Southern Regional Testing Agency (SRTA) clinical examination;
(v) The Council of Interstate Testing Agency's (CITA) clinical examination;
(vi) U.S. state or territory with an individual state board clinical examination;
(vii) The Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations dental licensure objective structured clinical examination (DLOSCE); or
(b) The commission will accept the complete National Dental Examining Board (NDEB) of Canada clinical examination as meeting its standards if the applicant is a graduate of an approved dental school defined in WAC 246-817-110 (2)(a).
(3) The applicant must pass all practical examination sections listed in subsection (1)(b) of this section ((of the practical examination)) with the following:
(a) The same testing agency; or
(b) A maximum of two testing agencies listed in subsection (2)(a) of this section administering all the practical examination sections in coordination with each other.
(4) The commission will only accept results of approved practical examinations taken within the preceding five years from the date of an application for licensure.
(5) The commission may, at its discretion, give or require an examination in any other subject under subsection (1)(a) and (b) of this section, whether in written or practical form or both written and practical.