A licensee whose license has been placed in retirement status may request reinstatement of the retired license within three years of the date of retirement as indicated in 16.5.25.8 NMAC. Upon receipt of the request for reinstatement, board staff shall send an application for reinstatement of license.

1. A. Along with the completed application, the request for reinstatement must include the reinstatement fee, the triennial renewal fee, impairment fee, a completed application, and proof of the following continuing education courses.

   (1) There will be 10 CE hours/year of retirement, up to 30 hours, required for reinstatement.

   (2) The requirements of the infection control hours and the basic life support hours taken in the past 12 months may be included toward these required hours:

   (a) proof of infection control course within the past 12 months;

   (b) proof of current basic life support (BLS) or cardiac pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification accepted by the American heart association, the American red cross, or the American safety and health institute (ASHI); cannot be a self-study course;

   (c) 45 hours of continuing education required for the last triennial renewal cycle of active licensure; these hours may include continuing education identified at the time of retirement request as well as any continuing education taken during the retirement period.

   (3) Verification of licensure in all states where the applicant holds or has held a license to practice dental hygiene, or other health care profession. Verification must be sent directly to the board office from the other state boards, must include a raised seal, and must attest to the status, issue date, expiration date, license number, and other information contained on the form.

2. B. The request for reinstatement from retirement status, including a statement of the applicant's activities during the period of retirement and any existing impairments, shall be reviewed by a subcommittee as designated by the chair. If the subcommittee finds the application in order and is satisfied the applicant has fulfilled all required continuing education and submitted the fees, the subcommittee may approve the license reinstatement and the previous license number reassigned. The license will be read into the committee and board records at the next scheduled meeting. If the subcommittee finds that the application is not in order, the application will go to the entire committee for review. The reinstated license will expire as defined in 16.5.24 NMAC.
3. C. A dental hygienist with a license in retirement status may not practice dental hygiene in New Mexico until proof of active licensure is received from the board office.
4. D. If reinstatement of a retired license is not requested within three years of retirement and if the licensee does not apply for inactive status, application for a new license must be made by examination or credentials in order to practice dental hygiene in New Mexico.

[16.5.25.10 NMAC - Rn, 16.5.25.9 NMAC, 03-06-05 & A, 03-06-05; A, 04-16-08; A, 07-19-10; A, 01-09-12]