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. Disallows licensure without examination for certain applicants who have previously failed the Hawaii exam or a regional exam. (SD1)

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

1229

TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2005

S.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

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 convictions 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; and

(8) 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 within the preceding five years;

(2) Has failed the Hawaii dental hygiene examination more than once, before the preceding five years; or

(3) 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. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect upon its approval; provided that the board of dental examiners shall begin to receive applications for licensure by examination no later than September 1, 2005.