Report Title:
Dental Hygienists; Licensure Without Examination
Description:
Authorizes the licensure of dental hygienists who are licensed in another state with equivalent or higher licensing standards without requiring passage of the state exam. (SB1229 HD1)
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
1229 |
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TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2005 |
S.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
H.D. 1 |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO THE LICENSING OF DENTAL HYGIENISTS.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. Chapter 447, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§447- Licensure without examination for dental hygienists licensed in another state; exception. (a) The board may grant a license to practice dental hygiene to an applicant who has not fulfilled the examination requirements of section 447-1 if the applicant is licensed to practice dental hygiene in another state and complies with the requirements of subsection (b).
(b) The applicant shall submit to the board:
(1) A completed application and all required fees;
(2) Proof of graduation from a dental hygiene program accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation, recognized and approved by the board, together with documentary proof of the applicant's certification in the administration of intra-oral infiltration local anesthesia and intra-oral block anesthesia;
(3) Proof of a current active license issued by another state with licensing standards that are deemed by the board to be equal to or greater than the current requirements for a license in this state; provided that the license is not revoked, suspended, or otherwise restricted;
(4) Proof that the applicant has been lawfully engaged in the practice of dental hygiene for at least five years preceding the date of the application;
(5) Proof that the applicant has not been subject to disciplinary action by any jurisdiction in which the applicant is or has been previously licensed to practice dental hygiene; provided that if the applicant has been subjected to disciplinary action, the board shall review that action to determine if it warrants refusal to issue a license to the applicant;
(6) Proof that the applicant has no felony conviction of any kind that may affect the applicant's ability to render competent dental hygiene care;
(7) Proof that the applicant has completed at least twenty hours of continuing education within the two years immediately preceding the application for licensure by credentials, including continuing education in cardiopulmonary resuscitation certification;
(8) A letter of intent to engage in the practice of dental hygiene in the state within six months of licensure;
(9) An affidavit attesting to the applicant's professional standing and moral character from a dentist licensed and practicing in the jurisdiction in which the applicant is licensed and has been engaged in practice; and
(10) Any other information required by the board to determine the applicant's fitness for licensure.
(c) An applicant shall not be eligible for licensure without examination if the applicant:
(1) Has failed the Hawaii dental hygiene examination more than once; or
(2) Has failed a regional dental hygiene examination more than three times without completing follow-up remedial courses.
(d) The board shall create an approved listing of state and regional examinations that meet or exceed the Hawaii dental hygienist examination standards. The board shall also establish a panel of dental hygienists who shall initially review the applications for licensure without examination and make recommendations to the board for its approval."
SECTION 2. Section 447-1, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (e) to read as follows:
"(e) No person shall practice dental hygiene, either gratuitously or for pay, or shall offer or attempt [so] to practice, or shall advertise or announce publicly or privately as being prepared or qualified [so] to practice, without having a license as provided in this [section] chapter [provided], nor shall any licensed dental hygienist practice except under the supervision of a licensed dentist as provided in this chapter [provided]."
SECTION 3. The board of dental examiners shall begin to accept applications for licensure pursuant to this Act without examination no later than September 1, 2005.
SECTION 4. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect upon its approval, and shall be repealed on June 30, 2007.