A license to practice dentistry may be placed in retirement status one time through the following procedures:

1. A. the request for retirement status must be made in writing to the board office prior to the expiration of the current license; dentists with an active practice located in New Mexico must include the following information:

   (1) the actual date of retirement;

   (2) proof of written notification of approaching retirement to all patients currently under active treatment;

   (3) the location where all active dental treatment records will be maintained for a minimum of six years; active treatment records are records of patients treated in the two years previous to the date of retirement; the notification to the board must include the name, address, and telephone number of the person who is serving as the custodian of the records;

2. B. all dentists requesting retirement status may include a list of any continuing education courses taken since the last license renewal, including documentation required in 16.5.10 NMAC; and
3. C. board staff shall acknowledge receipt of the request for retirement status and at the next meeting of the board the request for retirement will be placed on the agenda; upon board approval of retirement status the licensee will be exempt from payment of the triennial renewal fees during the period of retirement;
4. D. the board may deny a request for retirement status if there are any current or pending complaints or disciplinary actions against the licensee;

5. E. a licensee desiring to go from active to inactive must sign a waiver and stipulation provided by the board foregoing the three year retirement.

   [3-14-73…5-31-95, 9-30-96; 16.5.12.8 NMAC - Rn, 16 NMAC 5.12.8, 12-14-00, A, 03-06-05; A, 01-09-12]