(a) By the authority of Arkansas Code § 17-82-308, a dental hygienist who desires to practice his or her profession in the State of Arkansas may apply in writing to the Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners for a license by credentials pursuant to the following requirements:

1. (1)

   1. (A) Applicant must:

(i) Be a graduate of a school accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation;

1. (ii) Be currently licensed in the state from which he or she is applying; and

   1. (iii) Have practiced continuously for a period of five (5) years immediately prior to applying.
   2. (B) The applicant may have participated in a postgraduate dental-related education program during the five (5) years in order to satisfy the five-year practice requirement;
2. (2) Applicant must file with the Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners a completed Arkansas Dental Hygiene License by Credentials Application approved by the Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners;

3. (3) Applicant must:

   1. (A) Request and authorize schools to provide an official transcript with school seal from the school of dental hygiene that issued the certificate or degree; and
   2. (B) Have the school send same directly from the school to the Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners office;

4. (4)

   1. (A) Applicant must be responsible for verification forms to be submitted by the state board from every state where licensed, whether license is current or not.
   2. (B) Such forms should be sent directly from the state board to the Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners office;

5. (5)

   1. (A) Applicant must have the National Board Exam Card sent from the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations to the Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners office.
   2. (B) Said exam card must reflect passage of the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination.
   3. (C) Photocopies are not accepted;
6. (6) Applicant must complete a comprehensive resume on forms furnished by the Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners;

7. (7) Applicant must have letters submitted to the Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners from two (2) licensed dentists, practicing in the same locale of the state from which he or she is applying, attesting to the applicant's:

   1. (A) Moral character;
   2. (B) Standing; and
   3. (C) Ability;
8. (8) Applicant must submit to the Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners office a copy of a certificate showing current healthcare provider-level cardiopulmonary resuscitation certificate and last two (2) years’ history of continuing education;
9. (9) Applicant must supply to the Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners a signed letter of intention to practice in this state within one (1) year of receiving his or her license;
10. (10) Applicant must pass the Arkansas Jurisprudence Examination with a score of seventy-five percent (75%) as administered by the Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners;
11. (11) Applicant must submit a fee (to be determined by the Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners) to the Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners office with the application;

12. (12)

    1. (A) Applicant must provide proof of successfully passing a clinical examination for licensure.
    2. (B) Results of the clinical examination must be sent directly to the Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners from the state or regional testing agency that administered the examination; and
13. (13) Applicant must have continuing education credits at least equal to those required by current Arkansas licensees for the previous two-year period.

(b) The application, resume, and all other supporting material shall be reviewed by the Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners.

1. (c) The applicant shall present herself or himself before the Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners at a time and place designated by the Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners for a jurisprudence examination and a personal interview.

   1. (d) The Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners will:
2. (1) Review the application, resume, and all supporting material, as well as the result of the Arkansas Jurisprudence Examination; and
3. (2) Approve or deny the application for licensure.