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Historical Rule for the Texas Administrative Code

TITLE 22EXAMINING BOARDS
PART 5STATE BOARD OF DENTAL EXAMINERS
CHAPTER 101DENTAL LICENSURE
RULE §101.1Licensure by Examination

(a) General Qualifications.

  (1) Any person desiring to practice dentistry in the State of Texas must possess a license issued by the State Board of Dental Examiners as required by law.

  (2) To be eligible for licensure, all applicants must present on or accompanying a licensure application form approved by the State Board of Dental Examiners satisfactory proof to the Board that the applicant:

    (A) Is at least 21 years of age;

    (B) Is of good moral character.

      (i) Good moral character is demonstrated by patterns of personal, academic and occupational behaviors which, in the judgment of the Board, indicate honesty, accountability, trustworthiness, reliability, and integrity.

      (ii) Information concerning an applicant's background included in the application form will be the primary source for such proof. The Board may request additional information.

    (C) Has taken and passed the examination for dentists in its entirety given by the American Dental Association Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations;

    (D) Has successfully completed a current course in basic life support given by the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross;

    (E) Has taken and passed the jurisprudence examination administered by the State Board of Dental Examiners within one year immediately prior to application;

    (F) Has paid all application/examination and licensing fees required by law and Board rules and regulations.

(b) Graduates of accredited schools.

  (1) Graduates of accredited schools must present proof that applicant:

    (A) Has graduated from a dental school accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association. The term graduated shall be defined as having been awarded either the "DDS" or "DMD" degree from a school accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association.

    (B) Has taken and passed in its entirety the appropriate general dentistry clinical examination administered by a regional examining board designated by the State Board of Dental Examiners.

  (2) Graduates of accredited schools must meet all the criteria set forth in subsection (a) of this title.

(c) Graduates of non-accredited schools.

  (1) Graduates of non-accredited schools must present proof that applicant:

    (A) Has graduated from a dental school that is not accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association and has successfully completed training in an American Dental Association approved specialty in an education program that is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and that consists of a least two years of training as specified by the Council on Dental Education;

    (B) Has taken and passed in its entirety the appropriate general dentistry clinical examination administered by a regional examining board designated by the State Board of Dental Examiners. Many regional testing boards require prior written approval by the participating member state in order for graduates of non-accredited schools to be tested. Prior to submitting an application for regional examination, graduates of non-accredited schools must obtain such permission from the State Board of Dental Examiners.

  (2) Graduates of non-accredited schools must meet all the criteria set forth in subsection (a) of this title.

(d) Licensure by specialty examination.

  (1) Applicants for licensure by specialty examination must present proof that applicant has either:

    (A) successfully completed training in an American Dental Association approved specialty in an education program that is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association; or

    (B) has been certified by an American Dental Association approved specialty board that the applicant is or, at any time, was recognized as "Board Eligible."

  (2) Is currently licensed as a dentist in good standing in another state, the District of Columbia, or a territory of the United States provided that such licensure followed successful completion of a general dentistry clinical examination administered by another state or regional testing service.

  (3) Has taken and passed a specialty examination administered by a regional examining board designated by the State Board of Dental Examiners. Many regional testing boards require prior written approval by the participating member state in order for graduates of non-accredited schools to be tested. Prior to submitting an application for regional examination, graduates of non-accredited schools must obtain such permission from the State Board of Dental Examiners.

  (4) Applicants for specialty examination must meet all the criteria set forth in subsection (a) of this section.

(e) Applications for licensure must be delivered to the office of the State Board of Dental Examiners.

(f) An application for licensure is filed with the State Board of Dental Examiners when it is actually received, date-stamped, and logged-in by the State Board of Dental Examiners along with all required documentation and fees. An incomplete application for licensure and fee will be returned to applicant within three working days with an explanation of additional documentation or information needed.

(g) In the event an applicant is uncertain whether he/she is qualified according to rule and law for licensure as a dentist, prior to taking the clinical examination, a written request may be submitted by the applicant with all proof required other than clinical examination scores. The State Board of Dental Examiners will review the information and advise the applicant whether he or she is qualified for licensure pending successful completion of the clinical examination. The qualifying clinical examination must be taken within one year of the date of being so advised by the State Board of Dental Examiners.


Source Note: The provisions of this §101.1 adopted to be effective January 1, 1976; amended to be effective February 6, 1977, 2 TexReg 248; amended to be effective March 9, 1984, 9 TexReg 1216; amended to be effective September 6, 1991, 16 TexReg 4619; amended to be effective February 20, 1992, 17 TexReg 1089; amended to be effective December 24, 1992, 17 TexReg 8729; amended to be effective April 21, 1993, 18 TexReg 2300; amended to be effective June 2, 1993, 18 TexReg 3277; amended to be effective December 14, 1993, 18 TexReg 8901; amended to be effective December 3, 1997, 22 TexReg 11672.

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