DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

(Dental Quality Assurance Commission)

[Filed March 27, 2026, 8:56 a.m.]

Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: Updating testing agency names of approved examinations for dental licensure in WAC 246-817-120.

The dental quality assurance commission (commission) is proposing amendments to WAC 246-817-120 updating approved testing agency names for practical examinations.

Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: Some of the testing agencies that provide commission-approved examinations have merged, resulting in testing agency name changes.

Reasons Supporting Proposal: Rule making is necessary to change and add the correct testing agency names to accurately represent which testing agencies currently provide commission-approved examinations for dental licensure in Washington state.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 18.32.0357 and 18.32.0365.

Statute Being Implemented: RCW 18.32.0357.

Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.

Name of Proponent: Dental quality assurance commission, governmental.

Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting, Implementation, and Enforcement: Debbie Gardner, 111 Israel Road S.E., Tumwater, WA 98501, 360-236-4893.

This notice meets the following criteria to use the expedited adoption process for these rules:

Corrects typographical errors, makes address or name changes, or clarifies language of a rule without changing its effect.

Explanation of the Reason the Agency Believes the Expedited Rule-Making Process is Appropriate: Some of the testing agencies that provide commission-approved examinations have recently merged, resulting in testing agency name changes. This proposed amendment only reflects those name changes in rule and does not change the rule's effect.

THIS RULE IS BEING PROPOSED UNDER AN EXPEDITED RULE-MAKING PROCESS THAT WILL ELIMINATE THE NEED FOR THE AGENCY TO HOLD PUBLIC HEARINGS, PREPARE A SMALL BUSINESS ECONOMIC IMPACT STATEMENT, OR PROVIDE RESPONSES TO THE CRITERIA FOR A SIGNIFICANT LEGISLATIVE RULE. IF YOU OBJECT TO THIS USE OF THE EXPEDITED RULE-MAKING PROCESS, YOU MUST EXPRESS YOUR OBJECTIONS IN WRITING AND THEY MUST BE SENT TO Debbie Gardner, Dental Quality Assurance Commission, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504-7852, phone 360-236-4893, email dental@doh.wa.gov, web https://fortress.wa.gov/doh/policyreview/, BEGINNING at the date and time of filing, AND RECEIVED BY June 1, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.

Bryan Swanson, DDS, Chair

Dental Quality Assurance Commission

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 21-09-011, filed 4/8/21, effective 5/9/21)

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))Agencies (CITA) clinical examination;

(vi) The American Board of Dental Examiners (ADEX), formally known as CDCA-WREB-CITA, clinical examination;

(vii) U.S. state or territory with an individual state board clinical examination;

(((vii)))(viii) 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 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.