Section R4-11-203. Dental Hygienist Licensure by Credential; Appli- cation

A.      A dental hygienist applying under A.R.S. § 32- 1292.01(A)shall:

1.        Comply with all other applicable requirements in A.R.S. Title 32, Chapter 11 and this Article; and

2.        Not be the subject of final or pending disciplinary action in any state, territory, or district of the United States or have resigned or surrendered a license while under inves- tigation by or while disciplinary action was pending before any professional licensing agency.

B.       The Board shall:

1, Suspend an application for licensure by credential if dis- ciplinary action by a dental regulatory agency against the applicant is currently pending in another jurisdiction, and

2. Not issue or deny licensure by credential to the applicant until the matter is resolved.

C.      A dental hygienist applying under A.R.S. § 32-1292.01(A)(1) shall:

1.        Have a current dental hygienist license in another state, territory, or district of the United States;

2.        Submit a written affidavit affirming that the applicant has practiced as a dental hygienist for a minimum of 1000 hours during the two years immediately before applying for licensure by credential. For purposes of this subsec- tion, dental hygienist practice includes experience as a dental hygienist educator at a dental program accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation or employment as a dental hygienist in a public health setting;

3.        Submit a written affidavit affirming that the applicant has complied with the continuing dental hygienist education requirement of the state in which the applicant is cur- rently licensed; and

4.        Provide evidence regarding the clinical examination by complying with one of the subsections in R4-11- 201(A)(2).

D.      A dental hygienist applying under A.R.S. § 32-1292.01(A)(2) shall submit certified documentation sent directly from the applicable regional testing agency to the Board that contains the name of applicant, date of examination or examinations, total score for each examination, name of any separately- scored component of the examination, and separate scores for each component.

E.       For any application submitted under A.R.S. § 32-1292.01(A), the Board may request additional clarifying evidence required under the applicable subsection in R4-11-201(A)(2).

F.       An applicant for dental hygienist licensure by credential shall pay the fee prescribed in A.R.S. § 32-1292.01, except the fee is reduced by 50% for applicants who will be employed or working under contract in:

1.        Underserved areas, such as declared or eligible Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs); or

2.        Other facilities caring for underserved populations, as recognized by the Arizona Department of Health Services and approved by the Board.

G.      An applicant for dental hygienist licensure by credential who works in areas or facilities described in subsection (F) shall:

1.        Commit to a three-year, exclusive service period,

2.        File a  copy of a contract or  employment  verification statement with the Board, and

3.        As a licensee, submit an annual contract or employment verification statement to the Board by December 31 of each year.

H.      A licensee’s failure to comply with the requirements in R4-11- 203(G) is considered unprofessional conduct and may result in disciplinary action based on the circumstances of the case.

Historical Note

Former Rule 2c; Former Section R4-11-13 repealed, new Section R4-11-13 adopted effective November 20, 1979 (Supp. 79-6). Amended effective October 30, 1980 (Supp. 80-5). Former Section R4-11-13 renumbered as

Section R4-11-203 without change effective July 29, 1981 (Supp. 81-4). Former Section R4-11-203 renum- bered to R4-11-302, new Section R4-11-203 renumbered