The Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (Board) proposes amendments to §104.1, concerning Continuing Education Requirements. The amendment allows active Board members who serve as Examiners for the Western Regional Examining Board (WREB) to earn up to six hours of continuing education credit per year from WREB's calibration and standardization exercise. Additionally, the rule allows licensees who reside outside the United States to complete their continuing education requirements through self-study, allows licensees to count some risk-management continuing education towards their annual hours required for licensure, allows licensees to count up to six hours of self-study towards their annual hours, and prohibits licensees from counting finance coursework towards the annual hours required for licensure. Some paragraphs were re-ordered for clarification and ease of reference.

Sherri Sanders Meek, Executive Director, has determined that for each year of the first five-years the amended section is in effect, there will be no fiscal implications for state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the section.

The administration and enforcement of the amended section is expected to benefit the public by ensuring that practicing dentists have received the appropriate level and type of training and continuing education to meet the current standard of care in the practice of dentistry.

There is no anticipated impact on large, small or micro-businesses.

There is no anticipated economic cost to persons as a result of enforcing or administering the amended section.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Sherri Sanders Meek, Executive Director, Texas State Board of Dental Examiners, 333 Guadalupe, Tower 3, Suite 800, Austin, Texas 78701, (512) 463-6400. 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 the proposal is published in the Texas Register.

This amendments are proposed under Texas Government Code, §§2001.021, et seq., Texas Civil Statutes; and the 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 amendments affect Title 3, Subtitle D of the Texas Occupations Code and Title 22, Chapter 101 - 125 of the Texas Administrative Code.