The Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (Board) proposes an amendment to §104.1, concerning continuing education requirements for licensees. The section is amended to update the jurisprudence requirement.

Specifically, the proposed language would require a licensee to complete either the jurisprudence assessment or three hours of jurisprudence continuing education every three years. After January 1, 2008, only the jurisprudence assessment will fulfill the requirement.

Dr. Jim Zukowski, Executive Director of the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners, has determined that for each year of the first five-year period the section is in effect, there will be limited fiscal implications for local or state government as a result of enforcing or administering the section.

There is an anticipated economic cost to persons who are required to comply with the section as proposed, arising from the cost of required courses and assessments, and incidental costs. There is no anticipated local employment impact as a result of enforcing the sections as proposed.

Dr. Zukowski has determined that for each year of the first five years the section is in effect, the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcement will be the improvement in the education, capabilities, and regulation of dental licensees.

The fiscal implications for small or large businesses will be minimal or none at all. Therefore, the Board has determined that compliance with the proposed section will not have an adverse economic impact on small businesses when compared to large businesses. The requirements of this section will impact individuals who are active licensees, and would only impact small businesses who choose to pay course registration and assessment fees for their dental licensee employees.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Dr. Jim Zukowski, Executive Director, Texas State Board of Dental Examiners, 333 Guadalupe, Tower 3, Suite 800, Austin, Texas 78701, or by fax at (512) 463-7452. To be considered, all written comments must be received by the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners no later than 30 days from the date that this amended section is published in the Texas Register.

The amendment is proposed under Texas Government Code §2001.021 et seq., and Texas Occupations Code §254.001, which provides the Board with the authority to adopt and enforce rules necessary for it to perform its duties.

The proposed amendment affects Title 3, Subtitle D of the Occupations Code and Title 22, Texas Administrative Code, Chapters 101 - 125.