1. (a) A retired license shall be issued to a registered dental hygienist (RDH), registered dental hygienist in alternative practice (RDHAP), or registered dental hygienist in extended functions (RDHEF) if the licensee meets the following requirements:

   1. (1) Holds an active license or an inactive license that was not placed on inactive status as a result of revocation or suspension;
   2. (2) Submits to the Board a completed “Application for a Retired RDH, RDHAP, or RDHEF License” DHBC RLC-01 (New 11/20), hereby incorporated by reference; and
   3. (3) Submits an $80 fee to the Board.

2. (b) Once the Board has issued a retired license, the holder of a retired license shall:

   1. (1) Be exempt from continuing education requirements;
   2. (2) Be exempt from renewal of the retired license; and
   3. (3) Utilize his or her professional title only with the unabbreviated word “retired” preceding or after the professional designation.
3. (c) The holder of a retired license shall not engage in any activity for which an active RDH, RDHAP, or RDHEF license is required.
4. (d) The Board shall not be prevented from investigating violations or taking action against a retired license for violations of laws governing the practice of dental hygiene.

5. (e) To restore a license to active status, the holder of a retired license shall comply with the following requirements:

   1. (1) Submit a completed “Application for Reactivation of a Retired RDH, RDHAP, or RDHEF License” DHBC RLC-02 (New 10/20), hereby incorporated by reference;
   2. (2) Payment of a $160 fee as required by the Board;
   3. (3) Submit proof of completion of current continuing education requirements pursuant to 16 CCR sections 1016 and 1017; and
   4. (4) Comply with fingerprint submission requirements pursuant to 16 CCR section 1132.

6. (f) The holder of a retired license shall be allowed to provide to the public, without supervision, dental hygiene educational services, oral health training programs, oral health screenings, and application of fluoride varnish free of charge in any oral health public health program created by federal, state, or local law or administered by a federal, state, county, or local governmental entity, at a sponsored event by a sponsoring entity. The retired licensee shall refer any screened individuals with possible oral abnormalities to a dentist for a comprehensive examination, diagnosis, and treatment plan. For purposes of this section, the following shall apply:

   1. (1) “Sponsored event” shall be defined as in paragraph (4) of subdivision (b) of Section 1626.6 of the Code.
   2. (2) “Sponsoring entity” shall be defined as in paragraph (6) of subdivision (b) of Section 1626.6 of the Code.

Note: Authority cited: Sections 464, 1905, 1906 and 1944, Business and Professions Code. Reference: Sections 464, 1906 and 1944, Business and Professions Code.

History

1. New section filed 11-16-2022; operative 1-1-2023 (Register 2022, No. 46). Pursuant to Business and Professions Code section 1944(c), the fees fixed by the Board pursuant to Business and Professions Code section 1944(a) are not subject to review by the Office of Administrative Law. Transmission deadline specified in Government Code section 11349.4(a) extended 60 calendar days pursuant to Executive Order N-40-20 and an additional 60 calendar days pursuant to Executive Order N-71-20.