Chapter 150-3 LICENSE REQUIREMENTS

Rule 150-3-.01 Examination for Dental Licensure

Each candidate submitting an application for a dental license must have passed all sections of the National Board Theory Examinations - Part I and Part II with a score of 75 or higher or have a passing score on the Integrated National Board Dental Exam. The President of the Georgia Board of Dentistry may appoint one or more members of the Board to proctor the National Dental Board Examinations held in Georgia.

(2)	Each candidate for a license to practice dentistry must pass with a score of 75 or higher a jurisprudence examination on the laws and rules governing the practice of dentistry in the State of Georgia. Such examination shall be in the English language. The score will be valid for one year.

(3)	Each candidate for a license to practice dentistry must pass all sections with a score of 75 or higher on any clinical examination administered by the Georgia Board of Dentistry, or a testing agency designated and approved by the Board. Such examination shall be in the English language.

(4)

Any candidate who fails one or two sections of any clinical examination or any combination of one, two, or three sections of the clinical examination, three times must take a remedial course of study designated and pre-approved by the board.

(a)	Once the candidate shows written proof of successful completion of the approved course of study, the Board will grant the candidate one additional attempt at successful passage of a clinical licensing examination approved by the board.

(b)	After a fourth failure of one or more sections of any clinical examination, no further attempts will be authorized or scores recognized by the board for licensure in Georgia.

(5)

Any candidate who fails three or more sections of any clinical examination three times must successfully complete a one-year American Dental Association-accredited course of study pre-approved by the board.

(a)	Once the candidate provides written proof of successful completion of this one-year course of study, the board will grant the candidate one additional attempt at successful passage of a clinical licensing examination approved by the Georgia Board.

(b)	After a fourth failure of one or more sections of any clinical examination, no further attempts will be authorized or scores recognized by the board for licensure in Georgia.

(6)	For purposes of this rule, failure of the completed curriculum integrated format type examination shall only be counted as one (1) examination failure. The final section/sections failed with the curriculum integrated format type examination will be applicable to sections (4) and (5) of this rule.

(7)

In determining whether an applicant has met the requirements for licensure, the board will only consider:

(a)	The examination given by the Georgia Board of Dentistry prior to February 22, 1993.

(b)	Results from the Southern Regional Testing Agency (SRTA) that were attained between February 22, 1993 and December 31, 2005; to include SRTA retake examination results until December 31, 2006.

(c)	Results from the American Board of Dental Examiners (ADEX) examination as uniformly administered by the Central Regional Dental Testing Service (CRDTS) and the Northeast Regional Board of Dental Examiners (NERB) that were attained between January 1, 2006 and June 30, 2009.

(d)

Results from the Central Regional Dental Testing Service (CRDTS) examination or any other testing agency designated and approved by the Board attained subsequent to June 30, 2009. Results from the retake examinations administered by the Northeast Regional Board of Dental Examiners (NERB) or the Central Regional Dental Testing Service (CRDTS) are accepted through June 30, 2010. Such retakes must be from initial examinations taken prior to June 30, 2009 and must include at least one successful score from Parts II, III, IV or V.

(e)	Results from the American Board of Dental Examiners, Inc. (ADEX) dental examination as uniformly administered by a testing agency approved by the Board beginning January 1, 2021.

(f)

Regional examinations must include procedures performed on human subjects as part of the assessment of clinical competencies and shall have included evaluations in the following areas:

1.	periodontics, human subject clinical abilities testing;

2.	endodontics, clinical abilities testing;

3.	posterior class II amalgam or posterior class II composite preparation and restoration, human subject clinical abilities testing;

4.	anterior class III composite preparation and restoration, human subject clinical abilities testing;

5.	crown preparation, clinical abilities testing;

6.	prosthetics, written or clinical abilities testing;

7.	oral diagnosis, written or clinical abilities testing; and

8.	oral surgery, written or clinical abilities testing.

(g)	Examination scores from slot preparations of restorative dentistry shall neither be accepted nor recognized by the Board.

(8)	Each candidate for Georgia licensure must furnish a background check. The applicant shall be responsible for all fees associated with the performance of a background check.

(9)	The Board may hold other examinations as may be required and necessary.

Rule 150-3-.02 License Issuance

An applicant for dental licensure is eligible to apply for a license upon proof of successful completion of the requirements in 150-3-.01 and upon payment of a licensure fee to the Department of Community Health in an amount established by the Board.

Rule 150-3-.03 Repealed

Rule 150-3-.04 Applications

(1)

An applicant for dental licensure must provide the board with the following items: Those applicants who have received a doctoral degree in dentistry from a dental school accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association, or its successor agency, if any, must provide the following in order to complete their application.

(a)	Certified copy of the applicant's testing results showing passage of all sections with a score of 75 or higher on a clinical examination administered by the board or a testing agency designated and approved by the board.

(b)	Proof of current CPR certification;

(c)	Copies of any and all National Practitioner's Data Bank reports pertaining to the applicant;

(d)	An official transcript under seal issued by the appropriate authority (along with a verified translation into English, if necessary), from the school or university from which the applicant received his or her doctoral degree in dentistry;

(e)	National Board Scores verifying passage of all parts with a minimal acceptable grade of 75.

(f)	Verification of licensure from all states where the applicant has ever held or currently holds a license to practice dentistry. Such license shall be unencumbered by past, present or pending disciplinary action.

(g)	Furnish a criminal background check. The applicant shall be responsible for all fees associated with the performance of a background check.

(2)

In addition to the requirements in Section (1), those applicants who have received a doctoral degree in dentistry from a dental school not accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association, or its successor agency, if any, must provide the following in order to complete their application.

(a)

Proof of successful completion at an ADA-accredited dental school approved by the board of the last two years of a pre-doctoral program as a full-time student under the conditions required of other full-time students, except as excused or limited in the manner that any other student's participation would be excused or limited by state and federal law, and receipt of the doctor of dental surgery (D.D.S.) or doctor of dental medicine (D.M.D.) degree; and

(b)

A certification from the dean of the accredited dental school where the applicant took the required supplementary program specified in O.C.G.A. Sec. 43-11-40(a)(1)(A), 43-11-40(a)(1)(A) and (B) setting forth that the applicant has achieved the same level of didactic and clinical competency as expected of a graduate of the dental school and that the student has completed the last two years of a pre-doctoral program under the conditions required of other full-time students, except as excused or limited in the manner that any other student's participation would be excused or limited by state and federal law.

(c)	An official transcript under seal from the accredited dental school showing all courses taken during the supplementary program required pursuant to O.C.G.A. Sec. 43-11-40(a)(1)(A).

(3)

All applicants must show passage of all sections with a score of 75 or higher on a clinical examination administered by the board or testing agency designated and approved by the board and a jurisprudence examination on the laws and rules governing the practice of dentistry in the State of Georgia. Such examinations shall be administered in the English language.

(4)	In accordance with O.C.G.A. § 50-36-1, all applicants applying for licensure must submit an Affidavit Regarding Citizenship and submit a copy of secure and verifiable documentation supporting the Affidavit with his or her application.

Rule 150-3-.05 Renewal and Reinstatement

(1)

Licenses shall expire at the close of December 31 in all odd-numbered years, and shall be administratively revoked for failure to renew on July 1 of the following even-numbered year. Fees for license renewal shall be assessed as set forth in Rule 150-12-.01. Licenses, which have been administratively revoked, shall be reinstated only in the discretion of the Board upon completion of a reinstatement application.

(2)

Any service member as defined in O.C.G.A. § 15-12-1 whose license to practice dentistry or dental hygiene expired while serving on active duty outside the state shall be permitted to practice dentistry or dental hygiene in accordance with the expired license and shall not be charged with a violation relating to such practice on an expired license for a period of six (6) months from the date of his or her discharge from active duty or reassignment to a location within the state. Any such service member shall be entitled to renew such expired license without penalty within six (6) months after the date of his or her discharge from active duty or reassignment to a location with the state. The service member must present to the board a copy of the official military orders or a written verification signed by the service members commanding officer to waive any charges.

(3)	For all instances in which the license in question was revoked for reasons other than the failure to renew, a minimum of two (2) years shall pass from the date of the revocation of license before the Board will consider an application for its reinstatement.

(4)	In the event that an application for reinstatement of a license is denied, the Board will consider a subsequent reinstatement application no sooner than one (1) year from the date that the previous application was denied.

(5)

As a condition precedent to the reinstatement of a revoked license, the Board may, in its discretion, impose any remedial requirements deemed necessary before an individual may resume the practice of dentistry or dental hygiene. After five (5) years have passed without the applicant being actively engaged in the practice of dentistry or dental hygiene, the Board may, in its discretion, require passage of an examination administered by the Georgia Board of Dentistry or a Regional Testing Agency designated and approved by the Board. In addition, the Board may require documentation from a physician or physicians licensed in the State of Georgia that establishes to the satisfaction of the Board that the applicant is able to practice with reasonable skill and safety to patients.

Rule 150-3-.06 Duplicate Licenses

Duplicate licenses will be issued in accordance with the fee schedule set forth in Rule 150-12-.01.

Rule 150-3-.07 Inactive Licensure Status

(1)

A licensee may apply for inactive licensure status under the following conditions:

(a)	A dentist or dental hygienist who holds an active license in the state of Georgia may apply to the Board for inactive status by submitting the required for m and paying the proper fee

(b)	A licensee granted inactive status is exempt from the payment of the biennia l renewal fee and continuing education requirement.

(c)	A person holding an inactive license may not practice dentistry or dental hygiene in this state.

(d)	A dentist or dental hygienist holding an inactive license may apply for reinstatement by following the Board's reinstatement policy.

(2)	For the purposes of O.C.G.A. § 43-11-47(a)(7)(A), a licensee on inactive status is not licensed to practice dentistry in Georgia.

Rule 150-3-.08 CPR Requirements for Dentists

Dentists shall maintain at all times during licensure and shall furnish to the Board, upon request, current certification in one and two rescuer CPR and management of obstructed airway for adults, children and infants as taught by the American Heart Association, the American Red Cross, American Safety & Health Institute, the National Safety Council, EMS Safety Services, or other such agencies approved by the Board. Current certification is also a condition for license renewal. Failure to maintain current CPR certification may serve as grounds to deny the renewal of a license and may also result in disciplinary action against the licensee. In response to an audit request, a dentist shall be required to produce proof of CPR certification during the biennium for which the audit is being conducted.

Rule 150-3-.09 Continuing Education for Dentists

(1)

Dentists licensed to practice in the state of Georgia shall maintain and furnish to the Board, upon request, official documentation of having completed a minimum of forty (40) hours of continuing education during each biennium. Official documentation shall be defined as documentation from an approved provider that verifies a licensee's attendance at a particular continuing education course. Official documentation of course attendance must be maintained by a dentist for at least three (3) years following the end of the biennium during which the course as taken.

(a)	Compliance with all continuing education requirements is a condition for license renewal. Failure to complete all hours of mandatory continuing education shall serve as grounds to deny the renewal of a license and may also result in disciplinary action being taken against a licensee.

(b)

Upon its own motion, the Board may at any time randomly select a percentage of actively licenses dentists for the purpose of auditing their compliance with the continuing education requirements of the Board. Those licensees selected for an audit shall submit official documentation of their compliance within thirty (30) days of receipt of the audit letter. Failure to respond to an audit request in a timely manner shall be grounds for disciplinary action against a licensee.

(c)	The continuing education requirements shall not apply to dentists whose licenses are on inactive status.

(d)

The continuing education requirements shall apply within the first biennium that a dentist is licensed in Georgia. However, in order to meet the continuing education requirements during the first biennium, a newly licensed dentist may submit as their continuing education hours proof of dental coursework taken within the previous two (2) years of the date of the renewal application from a university or other institution accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association, or its successor agency. Following the first biennium that a dentist is licensed in Georgia such licensees shall comply with the continuing education requirements set forth in Rule 150-3-.09(2) and (3).

(e)	The continuing education requirements for dentists holding volunteer licenses may be satisfied by compliance with this rule, or they may alternatively be satisfied by compliance with Rule 150-3-.10.

(2)

Coursework, including home study courses, sponsored or approved by the following recognized organizations will be accepted:

(a)	American Dental Association/American Dental Hygienists association, and their affiliate associations and societies;

(b)	Academy of General Dentistry;

(c)	National Dental Association and its affiliate societies;

(d)

Colleges, and universities and institutions with programs in dentistry and dental hygiene that are accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association when the professional continuing education course is held under the auspices of the school of dentistry or school of dental hygiene;

(e)	CPR courses offered by the American Red Cross, the American Heart Association, the American Safety and Health Institute, the National Safety Council, EMS Safety Services, or other such agencies approved by the Board.

(f)	National and State Associations and/or societies of all specialties in dentistry recognized under Georgia law;

(g)	Veterans Administration Dental Department;

(h)	Armed Forces Dental Department;

(i)	Georgia Department of Public Health;

(j)	American Medical Association, the National Medical Association and its affiliate associations and societies;

(k)	Hospitals accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospital Organizations (JCAHO).

(3)

Course content:

(a)	All courses must reflect the professional needs of the dentist in providing quality dental health care to the public;

(b)	At least thirty (30) hours of the minimum requirement shall be clinical courses in the actual delivery of dental services to the patient or to the community;

(c)	Four (4) credit hours for successful completion of the CPR course required by Georgia law may be used to satisfy continuing education requirements per renewal period;

(d)	Effective for the 2019 renewal year, one (1) hour of the minimum requirement shall include the impact of opioid abuse and/or the proper prescription writing and use of opioids in dental practice;

(e)

Up to fifteen (15) hours of continuing education per year may be obtained by assisting the Board with administering the clinical licensing examination. These hours shall be approved by the Continuing Education Committee of the Georgia Board of Dentistry and need not be sponsored by any agency listed in 150-3-.09(2);

(f)

Eight (8) hours per biennium may be obtained by assisting the board with investigations of licensees. This may include consultant review on behalf of the Georgia Board of Dentistry and peer reviews completed by committees of the Georgia Dental Association but shall be limited to two (2) hours for each case reviewed. These hours shall be approved by the Continuing Education Committee of the Georgia Board of Dentistry and need not be sponsored by any agency listed in 150-3-.09(2);

(g)

Up to ten (10) hours of continuing education per year may be obtained by teaching clinical dentistry or dental hygiene at any ADA-approved educational facility. These hours shall be awarded in writing by the course director at the facility and approved by the Continuing Education Committee of the Georgia Board of Dentistry;

(h)

Up to ten (10) hours of continuing education per biennium may be obtained by providing, uncompensated dental care at a public agency or institution, not for profit agency, not for profit institution, nonprofit corporation or not for profit association which provides dentistry services to indigent patients;

(i)	Up to twenty (20) hours of continuing education per biennium may be obtained by members of the Georgia Board of Dentistry for member service, where one continuing education hour is credited for each five hours of Board service provided.

(4)

Criteria for receiving credit for attending an approved continuing education course:

(a)	Credit hours are not retroactive or cumulative. All credit hours must be received during the two (2) year period to which they are applied;

(b)	One credit hour for each hour of course attendance will be allowed;

(c)	Only twelve hours of credit will be accepted per calendar day;

(d)	Effective January 1, 2008, at least twenty (20) of the required forty (40) hours of credit must be acquired in person at an on-site course or seminar; you are not allowed to acquire all CE hours through on-line courses, electronic means, journal studies, etc.

(5)

Criteria for receiving credit for teaching an approved continuing education course:

(a)	Credit hours for teaching an approved course must be obtained and used during the biennium that the approved course is taught;

(b)

A dentist who teaches an approved continuing education course is eligible to receive two (2) credit hours for each hour of course work that he or she presents at a particular course. Credit will be given for teaching a particular course on one occasion. A maximum of ten (10) credit hours per biennium may be obtained by a dentist by whom an approved continuing education course is taught;

(c)	Only continuing education courses sponsored by organizations designated in Rule 150-3 .09(2) will be considered for credit pursuant to this subsection of the rule.

(d)

In the event that an audit is conducted of the continuing education hours of a dentist who has taught a course approved by a recognized organization, the following information shall be required to document the dentist's role in presenting a continuing education course:

(i)	Documentation from an approved provider verifying that the dentist presented an approved continuing education course;

(ii)	Documentation from an approved provider reflecting the content of the course;

(iii)

Documentation from an approved provider specifying the list of materials used as a part of the course; and

(iv)	Documentation from an approved provider verifying the hours earned and the dates and times that the course in question was given.

(e)

In the event that an approved continuing education course is taught by more than one dentist, continuing education credit will be given for those portions of coursework for which the dentist is directly involved and primarily responsible for the preparation and presentation thereof. Continuing education credit will not be available to a dentist whose participation in preparing and presenting an approved course is not readily identifiable.

(6)

Criteria for receiving credit for providing uncompensated indigent dental care.

(a)

Up to ten (10) hours of continuing education per biennium may be obtained by providing, uncompensated dental care at a public agency or institution, not for profit agency, not for profit institution, nonprofit corporation or not for profit association which provides dentistry services to indigent patients.

(b)	Dentists may receive one hour of continuing education for every four hours of indigent dental care the dentist provides, up to ten (10) hours. Such continuing education credits will be applied toward the dentist's clinical courses.

(c)	All credit hours must be received during the two (2) year renewal period;

(d)	All appropriate medical/dental records must be kept;

(e)	Dentists shall at all times be required to meet the minimal standards of acceptable and prevailing dental practice in Georgia;

(f)

The Board shall have the right to request the following:

1.	Documentation from the organization indicating that the dentist provided the dental services;

2.	Documentation from the organization that it provided medical and/or dental services to the indigent and/or those making up the underserved populations;

3.	Notarized verifications from the organization documenting the dentist's agreement not to receive compensation for the services provided;

4.	Documentation from the organization detailing the actual number of hours spent providing said services; and

5.	Documentation from the dentist and/or organization verifying the services provided.

(7)

Effective January 1, 2012, dentists may receive continuing education credit for dental coursework taken during a residency program from a university or other institution accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association. Such coursework must have been taken during the current license renewal period.

(1)	Submission of a copy of the certificate of completion of program showing dates of completion is sufficient proof of coursework.

(2)	One (1) credit hour equals one (1) continuing education credit.

Rule 150-3-.10 Continuing Education for Volunteer Licenses

(1)

A dentist licensed to practice in the State of Georgia as a volunteer shall maintain and furnish to the Board, upon request, official documentation of having completed a minimum of forty (40) hours of continuing education during each biennium. Official documentation shall be defined as documentation from an approved provider that verifies a licensee's attendance at a particular continuing education course. Official documentation of course attendance must be maintained by a dentist for at least three (3) years following the end of the biennium during which the course as taken.

(a)

A dentist holding a volunteer license in the State of Georgia may complete his or her continuing education requirements in the manner described in Rule 150-3-.09; or alternatively, a dentist holding a volunteer license may complete his or her continuing education requirements in the manner described in this Rule. Should a dentist holding a volunteer license choose to meet his or her continuing education requirements in the manner described in this Rule, all forty (40) hours of continuing education must be clinical.

(b)

A dentist holding a volunteer license in the State of Georgia may complete up to thirty (30) hours of continuing education per biennium by providing uncompensated dental care at a public agency or institution, not-for-profit agency, not-for-profit institution, non-profit corporation or not-for-profit association which provides dentistry services to indigent patients. Such continuing education credits will be applied toward the dentist's clinical continuing education requirements and shall be credited at the rate of one (1) hour of continuing education for every hour of indigent dental care the dentist provides, but shall be subject to the following criteria:

1.	All credit hours must be received during the two (2) year renewal period;

2.	All appropriate medical/dental records must be kept;

3.	Dentists shall at all times be required to meet the minimal standards of acceptable and prevailing dental practice in Georgia;

4.

The Board shall have the right to request the following:

(i)	Documentation from the organization indicating that the dentist provided the dental services;

(ii)	Documentation from the organization that it provided medical and/or dental services to the indigent and/or those making up the underserved populations;

(iii)

Notarized verifications from the organization documenting the dentist's agreement not to receive compensation for the services provided;

(iv)	Documentation from the organization detailing the actual number of hours spent providing said services; and

(v)	Documentation from the dentist and/or organization verifying the services provided.

(c)

Should a dentist licensed in the State of Georgia as a volunteer choose to satisfy a portion of the requirement of forty (40) hours of continuing education by providing uncompensated dental care as provided for in (1)(b), the dentist must complete the remaining continuing education, which must be clinical, from a provider satisfying the requirements described in Rule 150-3-.09.

(d)	Four credit (4) hours for successful completion of the CPR course required by Georgia law and may be used to satisfy continuing education requirements per renewal period.

(2)

A dental hygienist licensed to practice as a volunteer in the State of Georgia shall maintain and furnish to the Board upon request, official documentation of having completed a minimum of twenty-two (22) hours of continuing education during each biennium. Official documentation shall be defined as documentation from an approved provider that verifies a licensee's attendance at a particular continuing education course. Official documentation of course attendance must be maintained by a dental hygienist for at least three (3) years following the end of the biennium during which the course as taken.

(a)

A dental hygienist holding a volunteer license in the State of Georgia may complete his or her continuing education requirements in the manner described in Rule 150-5-.05; or alternatively, a dental hygienist holding a volunteer license may complete his or her continuing education requirements in the manner described in this Rule. Should a dental hygienist holding a volunteer license choose to meet his or her continuing education requirements in the manner described in this Rule, all twenty-two (22) hours of continuing education must be scientific, in the actual delivery of dental services to the patient or to the community.

(b)

A dental hygienist holding a volunteer license in the State of Georgia may complete up to fifteen (15) hours of continuing education per biennium by providing uncompensated dental care at a public agency or institution, not-for-profit agency, not-for-profit institution, non-profit corporation, or not-for-profit association which provides dentistry services to indigent patients. Such continuing education credits will be applied toward the dental hygienist's scientific continuing education requirements, and shall be credited at the rate of one (1) hour of continuing education for every hour of indigent dental care the dental hygienist provides, but shall be subject to the following criteria:

1.	All credit hours must be received during the two (2) year renewal period;

2.	Dental hygienists shall at all times be required to meet the minimal standards of acceptable and prevailing dental practice in Georgia;

3.

The Board shall have the right to request the following:

(i)	Documentation from the organization indicating that the dental hygienist provided the dental services;

(ii)	Documentation from the organization that it provided medical and/or dental hygiene services to the indigent and/or those making up the underserved populations;

(iii)

Notarized verifications from the organization documenting the dental hygienist's agreement not to receive compensation for the services provided;

(iv)	Documentation from the organization detailing the actual number of hours spent providing said services; and

(v)	Documentation from the dental hygienist and/or organization verifying the services provided.

(c)

Should a dental hygienist licensed in the State of Georgia as a volunteer choose to satisfy a portion of the requirement of twenty-two (22) hours of continuing education by providing uncompensated dental care as provided for in (2)(b), the dental hygienist must complete the remaining continuing education, which must be scientific, from a provider satisfying the requirements described in Rule 150-5-.05.

(d)	Four credit (4) hours for successful completion of the CPR course required by Georgia law and may be used to satisfy continuing education requirements per renewal period.

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