The State Board of Dental Examiners (Board) adopts this amendment to 22 TAC §103.2, concerning licensure by examination for dental hygienists. The amendment updates the language to clarify that clinical examinations must use live patients or hands-on simulations. The amendment reflects the merger of the regional examining board CDCA-WREB-CITA, and the name change of the regional examining board SRTA. The amendment also changes the time period the Board will accept examination results. This rule is adopted with changes to the proposed text published in the September 30, 2022 issue of the Texas Register (47 TexReg 6380), and will be republished. The change to the published text is to update Southern Regional Testing Agency to States Resources for Testing and Assessments due to its name change.

No comments were received regarding adoption of this rule.

This rule is adopted under Texas Occupations Code §254.001(a), which gives the Board authority to adopt rules necessary to perform its duties and ensure compliance with state laws relating to the practice of dentistry to protect the public health and safety.

Legal counsel for the Board has reviewed the adopted rule and has found it to be within the Board's authority to adopt.