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Regulations - Chapter 3, Article 3
TITLE 16. PROFESSIONAL AND VOCATIONAL REGULATIONS
DIVISION 10. DENTAL BOARD OF CALIFORNIA
CHAPTER 3. DENTAL AUXILIARIES
ARTICLE 3. APPLICATION FOR LICENSURE
Section 1076. General Application Requirements.
Section 1077. RDA Applications.
Section 1077.1. RDAEF Applications.
Section 1079. RDH Applications.
Section 1079.1. RDHEF Applications.
Section 1079.2. RDHAP Applications.
Section 1079.3. RDHAP Examination Requirement.
(a) Application for licensure as a registered dental auxiliary shall be made on a form prescribed by the board and shall be accompanied by the following:
- (1) The fees fixed by the board;
- (2) Two classifiable sets of fingerprints on forms provided by the board;
- (3) Where applicable, a record of any previous dental assisting or hygiene practice and verification of license status in another jurisdiction.
- RDH - 45 days
- RDA - 60 days
- RDAEF and RDHEF - 45 days
An application shall not be deemed incomplete for failure to establish compliance with educational requirements if the application is accompanied by a certification from an approved program that the applicant is expected to meet all educational requirements established for the license for which application has been made and if the approved program certifies not less than 30 days prior to examination that the applicant has in fact met such educational requirements.
The processing times for dental auxiliary licensure are set forth in Section 1069.(c) Permission to take an examination shall be granted to those applicants who have paid the necessary fees and whose credentials have been approved by the executive officer. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to limit the board's authority to seek from an applicant such other information as may be deemed necessary to evaluate the applicant's qualifications.
Note: Authority cited: Section 1614, Business and Professions Code. Reference: Sections 1614, 1753, 1754, 1758 and 1759, Business and Professions Code; and Section 15376, Government Code.
HISTORY- Amendment of subsections (a) and (b) filed 1-22-86; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 86, No. 4).
- Amendment of subsection (b) filed 2-22-88; operative 3-23-88 (Register 88, No. 10).
- Amendment of subsection (b) filed 4-16-90; operative 5-16-90 (Register 90, No. 28).
- Amendment of subsection (b) filed 2-22-2001; operative 3-24-2001 (Register 2001, No. 8).
(a) In addition to the requirements set forth in Section 1076, an application for licensure as a registered dental assistant shall be accompanied by the following:
- (1) satisfactory evidence that the applicant has been granted a diploma or certificate in dental assisting from an educational program approved by the board; or
- (2) satisfactory evidence that the applicant has met the required 18 months satisfactory work experience as a dental assistant. "Satisfactory work experience" means performance of the duties specified in Section 1085(b) and/or (c) in a competent manner, as determined by the dentist employer. An applicant shall obtain work experience verification forms from the board and supply such forms to those persons in whose employ the applicant obtained the required work experience. The completed form shall be returned to the board by such person.
- (A) The 18 months of experience, which must be gained in California while employed by a California licensed dentist(s), shall be considered qualifying only if the experience was comprised of performing duties specified in Section 1085(b) and/or (c) during a majority of the experience hours;
- (B) The 18 months shall be calculated as follows:
- 1. experience gained while working 20 or more hours per week shall be credited on a weekly basis, with 78 weeks considered equivalent to 18 months;
- 2. experience gained while working less than 20 hours per week shall be credited on an hourly basis, with 1,560 hours considered equivalent to 18 months.
Note: Authority cited: Section 1614, Business and Professions Code. Reference: Sections 1614, 1753 and 1754, Business and Professions Code.
HISTORY- Editorial correction filed 11-7-85; effective thirtieth day thereafter(Register 85, No. 45).
- Designation of first paragraph as subsection (a), amendment of newly designated subsection (a)(2), new subsections (a)(2)(A)-(a)(2)(B)2. and amendment of Note filed 6-11-98; operative 7-11-98 (Register 98, No. 24).
In addition to the requirements, including the processing times, set forth in Section 1076, an application for licensure as an RDAEF shall be accompanied by satisfactory evidence that the applicant has successfully completed an approved RDAEF program.
Note: Authority cited: Section 1614, Business and Professions Code. Reference: Sections 1614 and 1758, Business and Professions Code.
HISTORY- New section filed 1-22-86; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 86, No. 4).
In addition to the requirements set forth in Section 1076, an application for licensure as a registered dental hygienist shall be accompanied by satisfactory evidence that the applicant has been granted a diploma or certificate in dental hygiene from an approved dental hygiene educational program.
Note: Authority cited: Section 1614, Business and Professions Code. Reference: Sections 1614 and 1758, Business and Professions Code.
HISTORY- Editorial correction filed 11-7-85; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 85, No. 45).
In addition to the requirements, including the processing times, set forth in Section 1076, an application for licensure as an RDHEF shall be accompanied by satisfactory evidence that the applicant has successfully completed an approved RDHEF program.
Note: Authority cited: Section 1614, Business and Professions Code. Reference: Sections 161 and 1758, Business and Professions Code.
HISTORY- New section filed 1-22-86; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 86, No. 4).
In addition to the requirements, including the processing times, set forth in Section 1076, an application for licensure as an RDHAP shall be on a form entitled: License Application for Registered Dental Hygienist in Alternative Practice (rev. 5/99), which is hereby incorporated by reference, and accompanied by satisfactory evidence that the applicant has met either of the following requirements:
(a) Holds a current California RDH license and meets all of the following requirements:
- (1) Has been engaged in clinical practice as a dental hygienist in California for a minimum of 2,000 hours during the immediately preceding 36 months. Up to 1,000 hours in hygiene clinical instruction in a Board-approved dental hygiene program during the immediately preceding 36 months may be applied to the 2,000 hour requirement.
- (2) Has successfully completed a bachelor's degree or its equivalent from a college or institution of higher education that is accredited by a national agency recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (successor to the Council on Postsecondary Accreditation) or the United States Department of Education. The successful completion of 120 semester units shall be considered the equivalent of a bachelor's degree.
- (3) Has completed an approved RDHAP program.
Note: Authority cited: Sections 1614 and 1767, Business and Professions Code. Reference: Section 1774, Business and Professions Code.
HISTORY- New section filed 5-31-2000; operative 6-30-2000 (Register 2000, No. 22).
- Amendment of section and Notefiled 10-8-2004; operative 11-7-2004 (Register 2004, No. 41).
An applicant for licensure as an RDHAP shall complete a written examination in California law and ethics.
Note: Authority cited: Section 1614, Business and Professions Code. Reference: Sections 1749.1 and 1774, Business and Professions Code.
HISTORY- New section filed 5-31-2000; operative 6-30-2000 (Register 2000, No. 22).
- Amendment of section heading, section and Notefiled 5-4-2004; operative 6-4-2004 (Register 2004, No. 19).


