Md. Code Ann., Health Occ. § 4-306 – Examination waivers; foreign licenses

(a)
1. (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.
2. (2) “ADEX” means the American Board of Dental Examiners, Inc., or its successor organization.
3. (3)
  1. (i) “ADHLEX” means the American Dental Hygiene Licensing Examination designed and developed by ADEX, or its successor examination.
  2. (ii) “ADHLEX” includes a written component and a clinical component.
4. (4)
  1. (i) “ADLEX” means the American Dental Licensing Examination designed and developed by ADEX, or its successor examination.
  2. (ii) “ADLEX” includes a written component and a clinical component.
(b)
1. (1) A dentist licensed in any other state shall be issued a license in this State if the applicant:
  1. (i) 1. Has passed the ADLEX; and
    1. 2. Has passed the Maryland Dental Jurisprudence Examination given by the Board or its designee; or
  2. (ii) 1. For the 5 preceding years, has been actively engaged in practicing dentistry for at least 850 hours on average per year;
    1. 2. Has passed an examination with a clinical component as a requirement for licensure in another state;
    2. 3. Has passed a comprehensive written examination on applied clinical diagnosis and treatment planning administered by ADEX; and
    3. 4. Has passed the Maryland Dental Jurisprudence Examination given by the Board or its designee.
2. (2) A dental hygienist licensed in any other state shall be issued a license in this State if the applicant:
  1. (i) 1. Has passed the ADHLEX; and
    1. 2. Has passed the Maryland Dental Hygiene Jurisprudence Examination given by the Board or its designee; or
  2. (ii) 1. For the 3 preceding years, has been actively engaged in practicing dental hygiene for at least 150 hours on average per year;
    1. 2. Has passed an examination with a clinical component as a requirement for licensure in another state;
    2. 3. Has passed a comprehensive written examination on applied clinical diagnosis and treatment planning administered by ADEX; and
    3. 4. Has passed the Maryland Dental Hygiene Jurisprudence Examination given by the Board or its designee.
(c)
1. (1) The Board may adopt regulations for the content and administration of examinations and any other regulations necessary to provide for the licensure of individuals who apply for a license to practice dentistry under subsection (b)(1) of this section.
2. (2) The Board may adopt regulations for the content and administration of examinations and any other regulations necessary to provide for the licensure of individuals who apply for a license to practice dental hygiene under subsection (b)(2) of this section.
(d) An applicant for a general license to practice dentistry under this section shall:
1. (1) Pay the application fee required by § 4-304 of this subtitle; and
2. (2) Provide adequate evidence that the applicant:
  1. (i) Meets the qualifications otherwise required by this title for a general license to practice dentistry;
  2. (ii) Holds a license to practice dentistry in another state;
  3. (iii) Has satisfied the examination requirements provided in subsection (b)(1) of this section;
  4. (iv) Is not being investigated by a disciplinary authority of another state, does not have charges pending against the applicant's license, and has not been disciplined by a disciplinary or licensing authority of any other state or country, or been convicted or disciplined by a court of any state or country for an act that would be grounds for disciplinary action under § 4-315 of this subtitle; and
  5. (v) Has not previously failed an examination for licensure as a dentist in this State.
(e) An applicant for a general license to practice dental hygiene under this section shall:
1. (1) Pay the application fee required by § 4-304 of this subtitle; and
2. (2) Provide adequate evidence that the applicant:
  1. (i) Meets the qualifications otherwise required by this title for a general license to practice dental hygiene;
  2. (ii) Holds a license to practice dental hygiene in another state;
  3. (iii) Has satisfied the examination requirements provided in subsection (b)(2) of this section;
  4. (iv) Is not being investigated by a disciplinary authority of another state, does not have charges pending against the applicant's license, and has not been disciplined by a disciplinary or licensing authority of any other state or country, or been convicted or disciplined by a court of any state or country for an act that would be grounds for disciplinary action under § 4-315 of this subtitle; and
  5. (v) Has not previously failed an examination for licensure as a dental hygienist in this State.
(f) If an applicant meets the requirements for licensure under this section, the Board shall issue the license within 15 business days after receiving the completed application.

Added by Acts 1988, c. 119, § 2, eff. July 1, 1988. Amended by Acts 1990, c. 6, § 11, eff. Feb. 16, 1990; Acts 2003, c. 142, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2003; Acts 2011, c. 496, § 1, eff. July 1, 2011; Acts 2011, c. 497, § 1, eff. July 1, 2011; Acts 2012, c. 593, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2012; Acts 2012, c. 594, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2012; Acts 2014, c. 45, § 5; Acts 2018, c. 710, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2018; Acts 2018, c. 711, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2018; Acts 2025, c. 11, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2025; Acts 2025, c. 12, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2025.