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(a)Definitions.
(1)"Active duty" means current full-time military
service in the armed forces of the United States or active duty military
service as a member of the Texas military forces, as defined by §471.001,
Government Code, or similar military service of another state.
(2)"Armed forces of the United States" means the army,
navy, air force, coast guard, or marine corps of the United States
or a reserve unit of one of those branches of the armed forces.
(3)"Military service member" means a person who is
on active duty.
(4)"Military spouse" means a person who is married
to a military service member.
(5)"Military veteran" means a person who has served
on active duty and who was discharged or released from active duty.
(b)A licensee is exempt from any penalty or increased
fee imposed by the Board for failing to renew the license in a timely
manner if the individual establishes to the satisfaction of Board
staff that the individual failed to renew the license in a timely
manner because the individual was serving as a military service member.
(c)A licensee who is a military service member is
entitled to two years of additional time to complete:
(1)any continuing education requirements; and
(2)any other requirement related to the renewal of
the military service member's license.
(d)Alternative Licensing.
(1)A military service member, military veteran, or
military spouse applicant may demonstrate competency by alternative
methods in order to meet the requirements for obtaining a dental license
issued by the Board if the applicant:
(A)holds a current license issued by another jurisdiction
that has licensing requirements that are substantially equivalent
to the licensing requirements in this state; or
(B)within the five years preceding the application
date held the license in this state.
(2)For purposes of this section, the standard method
of demonstrating competency is the specific examination, education,
and or/experience required to obtain a dental license. In lieu of
the standard method(s) of demonstrating competency for a dental license
and based on the applicant's circumstances, the alternative methods
for demonstrating competency may include any combination of the following
as determined by the Board:
(A)education;
(B)continuing education;
(C)examinations (written and/or practical);
(D)letters of good standing;
(E)letters of recommendation;
(F)work experience; or
(G)other methods required by the Executive Director.
(3)The executive director may waive any prerequisite
to obtaining a license for an applicant described in paragraph (1)
of this subsection after reviewing the applicant's credentials.
(e)The Board shall give credit to an applicant who
is a military service member or military veteran for any verified
military service, training, or education toward the licensing requirements,
other than an examination requirement, including, but not limited
to, education, training, certification, or a course in basic life
support. The Board may not give credit if the applicant holds a restricted
license issued by another jurisdiction or has an unacceptable criminal
history according to Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 53 (relating
to Consequences of Criminal Conviction) or §101.8 of this title
(relating to Persons with Criminal Backgrounds).
(f)The Board has 30 days from the date a military
service member, military veteran, or military spouse submits an application
for alternative licensing to process the application and issue a license
to an applicant who qualifies for the license.
(g)All applicants shall submit an application and
proof of any relevant requirements on a form and in a manner prescribed
by the Board.
(h)All applicants shall submit fingerprints for the
retrieval of criminal history record information.
(i)All fees associated with a license application
shall be waived for an applicant who is:
(1)a military service member or military veteran whose
military service, training, or education substantially meets all of
the requirements for the license; or
(2)a military service member, military veteran, or
military spouse who holds a current license issued by another jurisdiction
that has licensing requirements that are substantially equivalent
to the requirements for licensure in this state.
(j)Licenses granted under this chapter have the terms
established by §101.5 of this title (related to Staggered Dental
Registrations), or a term of 12 months from the date the license is
issued, whichever term is longer. The Board shall notify the licensee
in writing or by electronic means of the requirements for renewal.
(k)This section establishes requirements and procedures
authorized or required by Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 55, and
does not modify or alter rights that may be provided under federal
law.
The agency certifies that legal counsel has reviewed
the adoption and found it to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal
authority.
Filed with the Office
of the Secretary of State on May 3, 2024
TRD-202401988 Lauren Studdard
General Counsel
State Board of
Dental Examiners
Effective date: May 23, 2024
Proposal publication date: March 22, 2024
For further information, please call: (512) 305-8910
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