AN
ACT Relating to the authority of the Washington state board of denturists;
amending RCW 18.30.010, 18.30.020, 18.30.040, 18.30.050, 18.30.090, 18.30.100,
and 18.30.140; adding a new section to chapter 18.30 RCW; and repealing RCW
18.30.080.
BE IT
ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
Sec.
1. RCW
18.30.010 and 1995 c 1 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
Unless
the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply
throughout this chapter.
(1)
"Board" means the Washington state board of ((denture
technology)) denturists.
(2)
"Denture" means a removable full or partial upper or lower dental
appliance to be worn in the mouth to replace missing natural teeth.
(3)
"Denturist" means a person licensed under this chapter to engage in
the practice of denturism.
(4)
"Department" means the department of health.
(5)
"Practice of denturism" means:
(a)
Making, placing, constructing, altering, reproducing, or repairing a denture;
and
(b)
Taking impressions and furnishing or supplying a denture directly to a person
or advising the use of a denture, and maintaining a facility for the same.
(6)
"Secretary" means the secretary of health or the secretary's
designee.
Sec.
2. RCW
18.30.020 and 1995 c 198 s 18 are each amended to read as follows:
(1)
Before making and fitting a denture, a denturist shall examine the patient's
oral cavity.
(a)
If the examination gives the denturist reasonable cause to believe that there
is an abnormality or disease process that requires medical or dental treatment,
the denturist shall immediately refer the patient to a dentist or physician.
In such cases, the denturist shall take no further action to manufacture or
place a denture until the patient has been examined by a dentist or physician
and the dentist or physician gives written clearance that the denture will pose
no threat to the patient's health.
(b)
If the examination reveals the need for tissue or teeth modification in order
to assure proper fit of a full or partial denture, the denturist shall refer
the patient to a dentist and assure that the modification has been completed
before taking an impression for the completion of the denture.
(2)
A denturist who makes or places a denture in a manner not consistent with this
section is subject to the sanctions provided in chapter 18.130 RCW, the uniform
disciplinary act.
(3)
A denturist must successfully complete special training in oral pathology
prescribed by the ((secretary)) board, whether as part of an
approved associate degree program or equivalent training, and pass an
examination prescribed by the ((secretary)) board, which may be a
part of the examination for licensure to become a licensed denturist.
Sec.
3. RCW
18.30.040 and 1995 c 1 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:
Nothing
in this chapter prohibits or restricts:
(1)
The practice of a profession by an individual who is licensed, certified, or
registered under other laws of this state and who is performing services within
the authorized scope of practice;
(2)
The practice of denturism by an individual employed by the government of the
United States while the individual is engaged in the performance of duties
prescribed by the laws and regulations of the United States;
(3)
The practice of denturism by students enrolled in a school approved by the ((department))
board. The performance of services must be pursuant to a course of
instruction or an assignment from an instructor and under the supervision of an
instructor; or
(4)
Work performed by dental labs and dental technicians under the written
prescription of a dentist.
Sec.
4. RCW
18.30.050 and 1995 c 1 s 6 are each amended to read as follows:
(1)
The Washington state board of ((denture technology)) denturists
is created. The board shall consist of seven members appointed by the
secretary as follows:
(a)
Four members of the board must be denturists licensed under this chapter,
except initial appointees, who must have five years' experience in the field of
denturism or a related field.
(b)
Two members shall be selected from persons who are not affiliated with any
health care profession or facility, at least one of whom must be over
sixty-five years of age representing the elderly.
(c)
One member must be a dentist licensed in the state of Washington.
(2)
The members of the board shall serve for terms of three years. The terms of
the initial members shall be staggered, with the members appointed under
subsection (1)(a) of this section serving two-year and three-year terms
initially and the members appointed under subsection (1)(b) and (c) of this
section serving one-year, two-year, and three-year terms initially. Vacancies
shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments are made.
Appointments to fill vacancies shall be for the remainder of the unexpired term
of the vacant position.
(3)
No appointee may serve more than two consecutive terms.
(4)
Members of the board shall be reimbursed for travel expenses under RCW
43.03.050 and 43.03.060.
(5)
A member of the board may be removed for just cause by the secretary.
NEW
SECTION. Sec. 5. A
new section is added to chapter 18.30 RCW to read as follows:
The
board shall:
(1)
Determine the qualifications of persons applying for licensure under this
chapter;
(2)
Prescribe, administer, and determine the requirements for examinations under
this chapter and establish a passing grade for licensure under this chapter;
(3)
Adopt rules under chapter 34.05 RCW to carry out the provisions of this chapter
in consultation and in agreement with the secretary;
(4)
Have authority to provide requirements for continuing competency as a condition
of license renewal by rule in agreement with the secretary; and
(5)
Evaluate and approve those schools from which graduation is accepted as proof
of an applicant's completion of coursework requirements for licensure.
Sec.
6. RCW
18.30.090 and 1995 c 198 s 20 are each amended to read as follows:
The
secretary shall issue a license to practice denturism to an applicant who
submits a completed application, pays the appropriate fees, and meets the
following requirements:
(1)
A person currently licensed to practice denturism under statutory provisions of
another state, territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or
Puerto Rico, with substantially equivalent licensing standards to this
chapter shall be licensed without examination upon providing the department
with the following:
(a)
Proof of successfully passing a written and clinical examination for denturism
in a state, territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or Puerto
Rico, that the ((secretary)) board has determined has
substantially equivalent licensing standards as those in this chapter ((in)),
including but not limited to both the written and clinical examinations;
and
(b)
An affidavit from the ((state)) licensing agency where the person
is licensed or certified attesting to the fact of the person's licensure or
certification.
(2)
A person graduating from a formal denturism program shall be licensed if he or
she:
(a)
Documents successful completion of formal training with a major course of study
in denturism of not less than two years in duration at an educational
institution ((recognized)) approved by the ((secretary)) board;
and
(b)
Passes a written and clinical examination approved by the ((secretary)) board.
(((3)
An applicant who does not otherwise qualify under subsection (1) or (2) of this
section shall be licensed within two years of December 8, 1994, if he or she:
(a)
Provides to the secretary three affidavits by persons other than family members
attesting to the applicant's employment in denture technology for at least five
years, or provides documentation of at least four thousand hours of practical
work within denture technology;
(b)
Provides documentation of successful completion of a training course approved
by the secretary or completion of an equivalent course approved by the
secretary; and
(c)
Passes a written and clinical examination administered by the secretary.))
Sec.
7. RCW
18.30.100 and 1995 c 198 s 21 are each amended to read as follows:
The
((secretary)) board shall administer the examinations for
licensing under this chapter, subject to the following requirements:
(1)
Examinations shall determine the qualifications, fitness, and ability of the
applicant to practice denturism. The test shall include a written examination
and a practical demonstration of skills.
(2)
Examinations shall be held at least annually.
(3)
The first examination shall be conducted not later than July 1, 1995.
(4)
The written examination shall cover the following subjects: (a) Head and oral
anatomy and physiology; (b) oral pathology; (c) partial denture construction
and design; (d) microbiology; (e) clinical dental technology; (f) dental
laboratory technology; (g) clinical jurisprudence; (h) asepsis; (i) medical
emergencies; and (j) cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
(5)
Upon payment of the appropriate fee, an applicant who fails either the written
or practical examination may have additional opportunities to take the portion
of the examination that he or she failed.
The
secretary may hire trained persons licensed under this chapter to prepare,
administer, and grade the examinations or may contract with regional examiners
who meet qualifications adopted by the ((secretary)) board.
Sec.
8. RCW
18.30.140 and 1995 c 198 s 24 are each amended to read as follows:
(1)
An individual may place his or her license on inactive status. The holder of
an inactive license shall not practice denturism in this state without first
activating the license.
(2)
((The inactive renewal fee shall be established by the secretary. Failure
to renew an inactive license shall result in cancellation in the same manner as
failure to renew an active license results in cancellation.
(3))) An
inactive license may be placed in an active status upon compliance with rules
established by the ((secretary)) board.
(((4)))
(3) The provisions relating to denial, suspension, and revocation of a
license are applicable to an inactive license, except that when proceedings to
suspend or revoke an inactive license have been initiated, the license shall
remain inactive until the proceedings have been completed.
NEW
SECTION. Sec. 9. RCW
18.30.080 (Secretary--Powers and duties) and 1995 c 198 s 19
& 1995 c 1 s 9 are each repealed.
