The State Board of Dental Examiners adopts amendments to §104.1 concerning Continuing Education Requirements without changes to the proposed text published in the February 4, 2000 issue of the Texas Register (25 TexReg 659).

The amended rule provides for an increased awareness of the requirements to obtain acceptable continuing education as a prerequisite to license renewal. The change to paragraph (1) of the rule now provides that excess continuing education hours may be banked and applied to subsequent years' requirements. A limit is placed on the number of excess hours that can be carried forward. The change to paragraph (2) clarifies the process for transition from prior continuing education requirements to the current requirements, mandated by new legislation.

No comments were received regarding adoption of the proposal.

The amended rule is adopted under Texas Government Code §2001.021 et seq.; Texas Civil Statutes, the Occupations Code §254.001 which provides the State Board of Dental Examiners with the authority to adopt and promulgate rules consistent with the Dental Practice Act, and Chapter 257, §257.005 which requires the board to implement rules concerning continuing education.