1. (a) In addition to the general qualifications for licensure contained in §103.1 of this chapter, an applicant for dental hygienist licensure by credentials must present proof that the applicant:

   1. (1) Has graduated from a dental hygiene school accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association. Dental Hygiene schools so accredited are approved by the Board for purposes of licensing their graduates by credentials;
   2. (2) Is currently licensed in good standing in another state, the District of Columbia, or territory of the United States that has licensing requirements that are substantially equivalent to requirements of the Texas Dental Practice Act;

   3. (3) Has practiced dental hygiene:

      1. (A) For a minimum of three years out of the five years immediately preceding application to the Board; or
      2. (B) As a dental educator at a dental or dental hygiene school accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association for a minimum of five years immediately preceding application to the Board;
   4. (4) Is endorsed by the state board of dentistry that has jurisdiction over the applicant's current practice. Such endorsement is established by providing a copy under seal of the entity with jurisdiction over the applicant's current license, and by a certified statement that the applicant has current good standing in said jurisdiction;
   5. (5) Has not been the subject of final or pending disciplinary action in any jurisdiction in which the applicant is or has been licensed;
   6. (6) Has passed a national written examination relating to dental hygiene as certified by the American Dental Association Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations or another examination approved by the Board;
   7. (7) Has passed a state or regional dental hygiene clinical examination;
   8. (8) Is reputable, as demonstrated by at least two notarized letters of character reference;
   9. (9) Shows proof of current CPR certification as required by the Texas Dental Practice Act, Chapter 256, §256.011; and,
   10. (10) Submits proof of completion of 12 hours of continuing education taken within the twelve months preceding the date the licensure application is received by the Board. All hours shall be taken in accordance with the provisions as cited in §104.1(5), (6) and (7) of this title (relating to Requirements) and §104.2 of this title (relating to Providers).
2. (b) Every applicant shall make application with the Professional Background Information Services (PBIS), paying the required fees, and requesting that a Level II verification be sent to the Board.
3. (c) Practice experience described in subsection (a)(3) of this section must be subsequent to applicant having graduated from a dental hygiene school accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association.
4. (d) Each candidate for licensure by credentials must submit to the Board the required documents and information prescribed in this rule and other documents or information that may be requested to enable the Board to evaluate an application and take appropriate actions.

Source Note:The provisions of this §103.3 adopted to be effective September 21, 2004, 29 TexReg 9003.