TITLE 16             OCCUPATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSING

CHAPTER 5       DENTISTRY (DENTISTS, DENTAL HYGIENISTS, ETC.)

PART 19              DENTAL HYGIENISTS, LICENSURE BY EXAMINATION

 

16.5.19.1               ISSUING AGENCY:  New Mexico Board of Dental Health Care.

[16.5.19.1 NMAC – Rp, 16.5.19.1 NMAC, 5/31/2023]

 

16.5.19.2               SCOPE:  The provisions of Part 19 of Chapter 5 apply to all applicants for licensure as a dental hygienist by examination. Part 19 also applies to dental hygienists previously licensed in New Mexico who have allowed their license to expire and do not qualify for licensure by credentials.

[16.5.19.2 NMAC - Rp, 16.5.19.2 NMAC, 5/31/2023]

 

16.5.19.3               STATUTORY AUTHORITY:  Part 19 of Chapter 5 is promulgated pursuant to the Dental Health Care Act, Section 61-5A-13 NMSA 1978.

[16.5.19.3 NMAC - Rp, 16.5.19.3 NMAC, 5/31/2023]

 

16.5.19.4               DURATION:  Permanent.

[16.5.19.4 NMAC - Rp, 16.5.19.4 NMAC, 5/31/2023]

 

16.5.19.5               EFFECTIVE DATE:  May 31, 2023, unless a later date is cited at the end of a section.

[16.5.19.5 NMAC – Rp, 16.5.19.5 NMAC, 5/31/2023]

 

16.5.19.6               OBJECTIVE:  To establish the requirements for application for licensure by examination.

[16.5.19.6 NMAC - Rp, 16.5.19.6 NMAC, 5/31/2023]

 

16.5.19.7               DEFINITIONS:  [RESERVED]

[16.5.19.7 NMAC - Rp, 16.5.19.7 NMAC, 5/31/2023]

 

16.5.19.8               PREREQUISITE REQUIREMENTS FOR LICENSE:  Each applicant for licensure as a dental hygienist by examination must possess the following qualifications:

                A.            graduated and received a diploma from an accredited dental hygiene program consisting of at least two academic years of dental hygiene curriculum as defined in Section 61-5A-13 NMSA 1978;

                B.            passed the dental hygiene national board examination as defined in Section 61-5A-13 NMSA 1978;

                C.            passed a clinical examination approved by the committee and ratified by the board; the results of the clinical examination are valid in New Mexico for a period not to exceed five years:

                                (1)           the applicant shall apply directly to a board accepted examining agent for examination, and

                                (2)           results of the clinical examination must be sent directly to the board office; and

                D.            passed the jurisprudence examination with a score of at least seventy-five percent;

                E.            the committee requires a background status report from a board designated professional background service the applicant will apply and pay fees directly to a board designated professional background service to initiate this service.

[16.5.19.8 NMAC - Rp, 16.5.19.8 NMAC, 5/31/2023]

 

16.5.19.9               DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS:  Each applicant for a dental hygiene license by examination must submit the required fees and following documentation:

                A.            completed application, applications are valid for one year from the date of receipt;

                B.            official transcripts or an original letter on letterhead with an embossed seal verifying successfully passing all required courses from the dental hygiene program, to be sent directly to the board office from the accredited program;

                C.            copy of clinical examination score card or certificate;

                D.            copy of national board examination certificate or score card;

                E.            proof of having taken a course in infection control technique or graduation from dental hygiene school within the past 12 months;

                F.            proof of current basic life support (BLS) or cardiac pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification accepted by the American heart association, the American red cross, or the American safety and health institute (ASHI); cannot be a self/study course;

                G.            verification of licensure in all states where the applicant holds or has held a license to practice dental hygiene or a related profession; verification must be sent directly to the board office from the other state(s) board, must include an embossed seal, and must attest to the status, issue date, expiration date, license number, and other information contained on the form; and

                H.            the appropriate status report from a board designated professional background service must be received by the board office directly from a board designated professional background service; the results of the background check must either indicate no negative findings, or if there are negative findings, those findings will be considered by the committee.

[16.5.19.9 NMAC - Rp, 16.5.19.9 NMAC, 5/31/2023]

 

16.5.19.10             RE/EXAMINATION PROCEDURE:  An applicant who does not obtain a passing score on the jurisprudence exam must submit the re/examination fee as defined in Subsection D of 16.5.18.8 NMAC to re/take the exam.

[16.5.19.10 NMAC - Rp, 16.5.19.10 NMAC, 5/31/2023]

 

16.5.19.11             LICENSURE PROCEDURE:  Upon receipt of a completed application, including all required documentation and fees, and successful completion of the examination requirements, a committee member will review the application and may approve for licensure.  The recommendation of the committee will be given to the board to formally accept the approval of the application at the next scheduled meeting.

                A.            Initial dental hygiene licenses are issued for a period not to exceed three years, as defined in Part 24.

                B.            Any application that cannot be approved by the committee member will be reviewed by the entire committee at the next scheduled meeting.

[16.5.19.11 NMAC - Rp, 16.5.19.11 NMAC, 5/31/2023]

 

HISTORY OF 16.5.19 NMAC:  [RESERVED]

 

History of Repealed Material:

16.5.19 NMAC, Dental Hygienists, Licensure By Examination filed 12/16/2002 Repealed effective 5/31//2023.

 

Other History:

16.5.19 NMAC, Dental Hygienists, Licensure By Examination filed 12/16/2002 Replaced by 16.5.19 NMAC, Dental Hygienists, Licensure By Examination effective 5/31//2023.