1. (1) Completion of continuing education credit hours. Except as provided under sub. (5), during the 2-year period immediately preceding the renewal date specified under s. 440.08 (2) (a), Stats., a dental therapist shall complete 12 credit hours of continuing education related to the practice of dental therapy. No more than 2 of the 12 credit hours may be satisfied by training related to basic life support or cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Not less than 2 of the 12 credit hours shall include training in infection control.
2. (2) Prescribing controlled substances continuing education. If a dental therapist has a federal drug enforcement administration registration number, the 12 credit hours of continuing education shall include 2 hours in the topic of prescribing of controlled substances for the treatment of dental pain.
3. (3) Credit for college level courses. One credit hour of a college level course is equivalent to 6 credit hours of continuing education. A licensee may substitute credit hours of college level courses related to the practice of dentistry, dental therapy, or medicine for the required continuing education credit hours.
4. (4) Credit for distance education. The credit hours required under sub. (1) may be satisfied by independent study, correspondence, or internet programs or courses.
5. (5) Exemption for new licensees. Subsection (1) does not apply to an applicant for renewal of a license that expires on the first renewal date after the date on which the applicant is licensed.
6. (6) Certification statement. At the time of each renewal, each licensee shall sign a statement certifying that, within the 2 years immediately preceding the renewal date specified under s. 440.08 (2) (a), Stats., the licensee has completed the continuing education credit hours required under sub. (1).
7. (7) Failure to complete continuing education hours. A licensee who fails to complete the continuing education requirements by the renewal date specified under s. 440.08 (2) (a), Stats., shall not practice dental therapy until the license is restored under s. DE 2.03 (5).
8. (8) Time limits on obtaining credits. Credit hours completed before the 2-year period immediately preceding renewal of a license to practice dental therapy may not be applied to fulfill the credit hours required under sub. (1).
9. (9) Recordkeeping. Every licensee shall maintain a written record of the continuing education hours required under sub. (1) for not less than 6 years after completion of each credit.
10. (10) Waiver of continuing education hours. The board may waive the continuing education requirements under sub. (1) if it finds that exceptional circumstances such as prolonged illness, disability, or other similar circumstances have prevented a licensee from meeting the requirements.

History

History: EmR2410: emerg. cr., eff. 7-26-24; CR 24-094: cr. Register July 2025 No. 835, eff. 8-1-24.