SB1397 - 552R

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1. Section 32-1232, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE32-1232. Qualifications of applicant; application; fingerprint clearance card

A. An applicant for licensure shall be of good moral character, shall meet the requirements of section 32-1233 and shall hold a diploma conferring a degree of doctor of dental medicine or doctor of dental surgery from a recognized dental school.

B. Each candidate shall submit a written application to the board accompanied by a nonrefundable Arizona dental jurisprudence examination fee of three hundred dollars. The board shall waive this fee for candidates who are holders of valid restricted permits. Each candidate shall also obtain a valid fingerprint clearance card issued pursuant to section 41-1758.03.

C. The board may deny an application for a license, for license renewal or for a restricted permit if the applicant:

1. Has committed any act that would be cause for censure, probation or suspension or revocation of a license under this chapter.

2. While unlicensed, committed or aided and abetted the commission of any act for which a license is required by this chapter.

3. Knowingly made any false statement in the application.

4. Has had a license to practice dentistry revoked by a dental regulatory board in another jurisdiction in the United States for an act that occurred in that jurisdiction and that constitutes unprofessional conduct pursuant to this chapter.

5. Is currently under suspension or restriction by a dental regulatory board in another jurisdiction in the United States for an act that occurred in that jurisdiction and that constitutes unprofessional conduct pursuant to this chapter.

6. Has surrendered, relinquished or given up a license to practice dentistry in lieu of disciplinary action by a dental regulatory board in another jurisdiction in the United States for an act that occurred in that jurisdiction and that constitutes unprofessional conduct pursuant to this chapter.

D. The board shall suspend an application for a license, for license renewal or for a restricted permit if the applicant is currently under investigation by a dental regulatory board in another jurisdiction. The board shall not issue or deny a license to the applicant until the investigation is resolved. END_STATUTE

Sec. 2. Section 32-1233, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE32-1233. Applicants for licensure; examination requirements

An applicant for licensure shall have passed all both of the following:

1. The written national dental board examinations.

2. The western regional examining board examination or A psychomotor clinical examination administered by another a state or regional testing agency in the United States within five years preceding filing the application.

3. The Arizona dental jurisprudence examination. END_STATUTE

Sec. 3. Section 32-1234, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE32-1234. Dental consultant license

A. A person may apply for a dental consultant license if the applicant demonstrates to the board's satisfaction that the applicant:

1. Has continuously held a license to practice dentistry for at least twenty-five years issued by one or more states or territories of the United States or the District of Columbia, but is not currently licensed to practice dentistry in Arizona.

2. Is of good moral character.

3. Has not had a license to practice dentistry revoked by a dental regulatory board in another jurisdiction in the United States for an act that occurred in that jurisdiction and that constitutes unprofessional conduct pursuant to this chapter.

4. Is not currently under suspension or restriction by a dental regulatory board in another jurisdiction in the United States for an act that occurred in that jurisdiction and that constitutes unprofessional conduct pursuant to this chapter.

5. Has not surrendered, relinquished or given up a license to practice dentistry in lieu of disciplinary action by a dental regulatory board in another jurisdiction in the United States for an act that occurred in that jurisdiction and that constitutes unprofessional conduct pursuant to this chapter.

6. Meets the applicable requirements of section 32-1232.

7. Meets the requirements of section 32-1233, paragraphs paragraph 1 and 3. If an applicant has taken a state written theory examination instead of the written national dental board examinations, the applicant must provide the board with official documentation of passing the written theory examinations in the state where the applicant holds a current license. The board shall then determine the applicant's eligibility for a license pursuant to this section.

8. Meets the application requirements as prescribed in rule by the board.

B. The board shall suspend an application for a dental consultant license if the applicant is currently under investigation by a dental regulatory board in another jurisdiction in the United States. The board shall not issue or deny a license to the applicant until the investigation is resolved.

C. A person to whom a dental consultant license is issued shall practice dentistry only in the course of the person's employment or on behalf of an entity licensed under title 20 with the practice limited to supervising or conducting utilization review or other claims or case management activity on behalf of the entity licensed pursuant to title 20. A person who holds a dental consultant license is prohibited from providing direct patient care.

D. This section shall does not be deemed to require a person to apply for or hold a dental consultant license in order for that person to serve as a consultant to or engage in claims review activity for an entity licensed pursuant to title 20.

E. Except as provided in subsection B of this section, a dental consultant licensee is subject to all of the provisions of this chapter that are applicable to licensed dentists. END_STATUTE

Sec. 4. Section 32-1276.01, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE32-1276.01. Application for licensure; requirements; fingerprint clearance card; denial or suspension of application

A. An applicant for licensure as a dental therapist in this state shall do all of the following:

1. Apply to the board on a form prescribed by the board.

2. Verify under oath that all statements in the application are true to the applicant's knowledge.

3. Enclose with the application:

(a) A recent photograph of the applicant.

(b) The application fee established by the board by rule.

B. The board may grant a license to practice dental therapy to an applicant who meets all of the following requirements:

1. Is licensed as a dental hygienist pursuant to article 4 of this chapter.

2. Graduates from a dental therapy education program that is accredited by or holds an initial accreditation from the American dental association commission on dental accreditation and that is offered through an accredited higher education institution recognized by the United States department of education.

3. Successfully passes, both of the following:

(a) within five years before filing the application, a psychomotor clinical examination that is either:

(i) The western regional examining board examination.

(ii) An examination in dental therapy administered by another a state or testing agency that is substantially equivalent to the western regional examining board examination, as determined by the state board of dental examiners.

(b) The Arizona dental jurisprudence examination in the United States.

4. Is not subject to any grounds for denial of the application under this chapter.

5. Obtains a valid fingerprint clearance card issued pursuant to title 41, chapter 12, article 3.1.

6. Meets all requirements for licensure established by the board by rule.

C. The board may deny an application for licensure or license renewal if the applicant:

1. Has committed an act that would be cause for censure, probation or suspension or revocation of a license under this chapter.

2. While unlicensed, committed or aided and abetted the commission of an act for which a license is required by this chapter.

3. Knowingly made any false statement in the application.

4. Has had a license to practice dental therapy revoked by a regulatory board in another jurisdiction in the United States for an act that occurred in that jurisdiction and that constitutes unprofessional conduct pursuant to this chapter.

5. Is currently suspended or restricted by a regulatory board in another jurisdiction in the United States for an act that occurred in that jurisdiction and that constitutes unprofessional conduct pursuant to this chapter.

6. Has surrendered, relinquished or given up a license to practice dental therapy instead of having disciplinary action taken against the applicant by a regulatory board in another jurisdiction in the United States for an act that occurred in that jurisdiction and that constitutes unprofessional conduct pursuant to this chapter.

D. The board shall suspend an application for licensure if the applicant is currently under investigation by a dental regulatory board in another jurisdiction. The board shall not issue a license or deny an application for licensure until the investigation is completed. END_STATUTE

Sec. 5. Section 32-1284, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE32-1284. Qualifications of applicant; application; fingerprint clearance card; rules; denial or suspension of application

A. An applicant for licensure as a dental hygienist shall be at least eighteen years of age, shall be of good moral character, shall meet the requirements of section 32-1285 and shall present to the board evidence of graduation or a certificate of satisfactory completion in a course or curriculum in dental hygiene from a recognized dental hygiene school. A candidate shall make written application to the board accompanied by a nonrefundable Arizona dental jurisprudence examination fee of one hundred dollars. The board shall waive this fee for candidates who are holders of valid restricted permits. Each candidate shall also obtain a valid fingerprint clearance card issued pursuant to section 41-1758.03.

B. The board shall adopt rules that govern the practice of dental hygienists and that are not inconsistent with this chapter.

C. The board may deny an application for licensure or an application for license renewal if the applicant:

1. Has committed an act that would be cause for censure, probation or suspension or revocation of a license under this chapter.

2. While unlicensed, committed or aided and abetted the commission of an act for which a license is required by this chapter.

3. Knowingly made any false statement in the application.

4. Has had a license to practice dental hygiene revoked by a regulatory board in another jurisdiction in the United States for an act that occurred in that jurisdiction and that constitutes unprofessional conduct pursuant to this chapter.

5. Is currently under suspension or restriction by a regulatory board in another jurisdiction in the United States for an act that occurred in that jurisdiction and that constitutes unprofessional conduct pursuant to this chapter.

6. Has surrendered, relinquished or given up a license to practice dental hygiene instead of disciplinary action by a regulatory board in another jurisdiction in the United States for an act that occurred in that jurisdiction and that constitutes unprofessional conduct pursuant to this chapter.

D. The board shall suspend an application for a license if the applicant is currently under investigation by a dental regulatory board in another jurisdiction. The board shall not issue or deny a license to the applicant until the investigation is resolved. END_STATUTE

Sec. 6. Section 32-1285, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE32-1285. Applicants for licensure; examination requirements

An applicant for licensure shall have passed all both of the following:

1. The national dental hygiene board examination.

2. A psychomotor clinical examination that is completed administered by a state or regional testing agency in the United States within five years preceding filing the application. and that is either of the following:

(a) The western regional examining board examination.

(b) An examination administered by another state or testing agency that is substantially equivalent to the requirements of this state, as determined by the board.

3. The Arizona dental jurisprudence examination. END_STATUTE

Sec. 7. Section 32-1296, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE32-1296. Qualifications of applicant

A. To be eligible for certification to practice denture technology an applicant shall:

1. Be of good moral character.

2. Hold a high school diploma or its equivalent.

3. Present to the board evidence of graduation from a recognized denturist school or a certificate of satisfactory completion of a course or curriculum in denture technology from a recognized denturist school.

4. Pass a board approved board-approved examination.

B. A candidate for certification shall submit a written application to the board that includes a nonrefundable Arizona dental jurisprudence examination fee as prescribed by the board. END_STATUTE

Sec. 8. Section 32-1297.01, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE32-1297.01. Application for certification; fingerprint clearance card; denial; suspension

A. Each applicant for certification shall submit a written application to the board accompanied by a nonrefundable jurisprudence examination fee and obtain a valid fingerprint clearance card issued pursuant to section 41-1758.03.

B. The board may deny an application for certification or for certification renewal if the applicant:

1. Has committed any act that would be cause for censure, probation, suspension or revocation of a certificate under this chapter.

2. Has knowingly made any false statement in the application.

3. While uncertified, has committed or aided and abetted the commission of any act for which a certificate is required under this chapter.

4. Has had a certificate to practice denture technology revoked by a regulatory board in another jurisdiction in the United States or Canada for an act that occurred in that jurisdiction and that constitutes unprofessional conduct pursuant to this chapter.

5. Is currently under investigation, suspension or restriction by a regulatory board in another jurisdiction in the United States or Canada for an act that occurred in that jurisdiction and that constitutes unprofessional conduct pursuant to this chapter.

6. Has surrendered, relinquished or given up a certificate to practice denture technology in lieu of disciplinary action by a regulatory board in another jurisdiction in the United States or Canada for an act that occurred in that jurisdiction and that constitutes unprofessional conduct pursuant to this chapter.

C. The board shall suspend an application for certification if the applicant is currently under investigation by a denturist regulatory board in another jurisdiction. The board shall not issue or deny certification to the applicant until the investigation is resolved. END_STATUTE

Sec. 9. Section 32-1297.04, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE32-1297.04. Fee

The board shall establish and collect fees, a fee of not to exceed the following amounts:

1. For an examination in jurisprudence, two hundred fifty dollars.

2. For each replacement or duplicate certificate, twenty-five dollars more than $25 for each replacement or duplicate certificate. END_STATUTE