To
be licensed as a dental hygienist in New York State you must:
be of good moral character; be at least 17 years of age for dental
hygiene licensure by examination; be at least 21 years of age for
licensure by endorsement of another state's license; meet education
and examination requirements; have satisfactorily practiced for at
least two years for licensure by endorsement; and be a United States
Citizen or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the
United States (USCIS I-551 Status/"Green Card")
You must file an application for licensure and the other forms indicated
along with the appropriate fee, to the Office of the Professions at
the address specified on each form. It is your responsibility to follow
up with anyone you have asked to send us material.
The specific requirements for licensure are contained in Title 8,
Article 133, Section 6600 of New York's Education Law and Part 61
of the Commissioner's Regulations. Copies of the relevant sections
of NYS Education Law and the Commissioner's Regulations are available
upon request from opforms@mail.nysed.gov or 518-474-3817 ext. 320
You should also read the general licensing information applicable
for all professions.
Education Requirements
<>To meet the education requirements for licensure, you must
have:
earned a high school diploma, or the equivalent, and
completed a New York State registered licensure qualifying or American
Dental Association accredited dental hygiene program.
In addition, you must complete the following:
Every applicant for licensure as a dental hygienist must complete
coursework or training in the identification and reporting of child
abuse1. Graduates of New York State registered dental hygiene programs
after September 1, 1990 complete this coursework in their dental hygiene
program and are not required to submit additional proof. All other
applicants must submit a certificate of completion from an approved
provider or file a claim of exemption before a New York State license
can be issued. Approved providers include many hospitals and schools
of dental hygiene in New York State. See the list of approved providers
of this training. You may be eligible for exemption from the training
if you can document, to the satisfaction of the Department, that your
practice does not involve professional contact with persons under
the age of 18 and that you do not have contact with persons 18 or
older with a handicapping condition, who reside in a residential care
school or facility. You may request an exemption by submitting Form
1CE. If you have questions about this requirement, please contact
the Professional Education Program Review Unit at oppleuca@mail.nysed.gov
or call 518-474-3817 ext. 360 or fax at 518-473-8577.
Every licensed dental hygienist must complete approved coursework
or training appropriate to the professional's practice in infection
control and barrier precautions2, including engineering and work practice
controls, to prevent the transmission of the human immunodeficiency
virus (HIV) and the hepatitis b virus (HBV) in the course of professional
practice. Graduates from New York State registered dental hygiene
programs after September 1, 1993 complete this coursework in their
dental hygiene program. All other applicants must submit an attestation
of compliance with or exemption from the infection control coursework
requirements within 90 days of your date of licensure. Form 1IC will
be sent to you along with your license. See the list of approved providers
of this training. If you have questions about this requirement, please
contact the Professional Education Program Review Unit at oppleuic@mail.nysed.gov
or call 518-474-3817 ext. 360 or fax at 518-473-8577.
Dental Hygiene Anesthesia
<>To administer and monitor local infiltration anesthesia and
nitrous oxide analgesia in the practice of dental hygiene, dental
hygienists must meet additional requirements and obtain a Dental Hygiene
Restricted Local Infiltration Anesthesia/Nitrous Oxide Analgesia Certification.
New York State Education Law requires dentists to complete 45 contact
hours of continuing education and dental hygienists to complete 24
contact hours in each three-year registration period.
Specific requirements for continuing education for dentists and dental
hygienists are contained in Article 133 of New York's Education Law.
Copies of relevant sections of NYS Education Law and the Commissioner's
Regulations are available upon request by calling the Forms Management
Unit at 518-474-3817 ext. 320 or e-mail opforms@mail.nysed.gov.
The New York State Board for Dentistry does not maintain or have access
to the continuing education records of any licensee.
Questions about Continuing Education
Why is continuing education important?
Answer: The healthcare professions are always changing. New medications
and new procedures are always being developed. To give the best care
to your patients and allow your practice to evolve with your profession,
you will want to continue your education throughout your professional
career.
Who is required to take continuing education and how many hours must
be completed?
Answer: Every dentist and dental hygienist registered to practice
with a New York State license must take continuing education to be
eligible for registration renewal. Dentists are required to complete
45 contact hours of continuing education during each three-year registration
period. Dental hygienists are required to complete 24 contact hours
of continuing education during each three-year registration period.
I just graduated and received my license and am in my first registration
period. Do I need to begin taking continuing education immediately?
Answer: No. Licensees are not required to complete continuing education
during their initial three-year registration period.
I was practicing in another jurisdiction and just received my first
New York State license and registration. Do I need to begin taking
continuing education immediately?
Answer: Yes. Although this is the first time you received a New York
State license, it is not your first license. You must complete the
required continuing education during this and all subsequent registration
periods.
I just received my registration and it is less than three years in
length. Am I still expected to complete the total number of continuing
education hours required for my profession?
Answer: No. Registration periods are adjusted so that renewals occur
during the licensee's birth month. When this happens, you can calculate
how many continuing education hours you are required to complete.
To do this, count the length of the registration in months and, for
dentists, multiply that number by 1.25 hours, for dental hygienists,
multiply that number by .67 hours. For example, you are issued a registration
effective 7/1/05 and it expires 10/31/07. This registration is for
28 months multiplied by 1.25 hours for a total of 35 hours for dentists;
or 28 months multiplied by .67 for a total of 18.76 (19) hours for
dental hygienists.
I do not practice my profession, but I am registered. Do I need to
take continuing education?
Answer: Yes. Any individual who holds an active registration must
take the required continuing education.
I am licensed in New York State but my registration is inactive because
I am practicing my profession in another jurisdiction. Do I need to
complete continuing education before I can reactivate my New York
State registration?
Answer: Yes. To reactivate your New York State registration, if you
are a dentist, you will need 45 hours of continuing education in appropriate
subject areas offered by approved sponsors and if you are a dental
hygienist, 24 hours. Since you are actively practicing your profession,
you will be able to count continuing education credits earned up to
36 months prior to the month in which you reactivate your registration.
I am licensed in New York State but my registration is inactive because
I have not been practicing my profession. Do I need to complete continuing
education before I can reactivate my registration?
Answer: Yes. To reactivate your New York State registration, if you
are a dentist, you will need 45 hours of continuing education in appropriate
subject areas offered by approved sponsors and if you are a dental
hygienist, you will need 24 hours. Since you are not actively practicing
your profession, you will only be able to count continuing education
credits earned up to 12 months prior to the month in which you reactivate
your registration.
What is an hour of continuing education?
Answer: An hour of continuing education is one contact hour of at
least 50 minutes in duration. Most continuing education providers
give credit in hours; however, you may see credit given in continuing
education units.
One continuing education unit (CEU) equals 10 contact hours. Therefore,
.1 CEU equals one contact hour, .2 CEUs equals two contact hours,
.3 CEUs equals three contact hours, and so on.
Individuals completing college-level course work should note that
one semester hour equals 15 contact hours.
If I complete more hours than required during the registration period,
can I use them toward the hours required in my next registration period?
Answer: No. Continuing education hours can not be carried over from
one registration period to the next. The hours must be completed between
the effective date and expiration date of the registration period
for which they will be applied.
Am I required to complete a certain number of hours per year?
Answer: No. You can complete the hours any time during the three-year
registration period as long as you have completed the required hours
prior to the expiration date of your registration. However, we recommend
that you complete courses each year so you are sure to have them completed
before it is time to reregister.
Are there specific courses that I must take to meet the requirement?
Answer: Yes. If you are a dentist, there is a one-time requirement
for you to take a two-hour course regarding the oral health effects
of tobacco and tobacco products. The course must cover the chemical
and related effects and usage of tobacco and tobacco products and
the recognition, diagnosis, and treatment of the oral health effects
of tobacco and tobacco products, including but not limited to cancers
and other diseases and must be offered by an approved sponsor. Dentists
who can document that they completed a two-hour continuing education
course after February 27, 1997, which is consistent with Education
Laws and Regulations pertaining to continuing education that covered
the required topics will be considered to have met the requirement.
This course must be completed during the first registration period
for which the dentist has a mandatory continuing education requirement.
Dentists and dental hygienists must also complete a State approved
infection control course every 4 years. A list of approved providers
can be found on the Office of the Professions' Web site.
What about the other courses I complete to meet the continuing education
requirement?
Answer: All courses taken to meet the continuing education requirement
must be formal courses in appropriate subject areas offered by approved
sponsors.
What are appropriate subject areas?
Answer: Appropriate subject areas are those courses that contribute
to professional practice in your profession.
Appropriate subjects include, but are not limited to, the following
areas:
basic and clinical dental sciences;
behavioral science;
pharmacology of new and developing drugs;
drug interactions;
public health issues;
child abuse reporting;
infection control;
sterile procedures;
legal or regulatory issues;
patient counseling;
risk management;
other topics that contribute to the practice of your profession; and
other matters of health care, law, and ethics that contribute to the
public's health and welfare.
The key is the subject matter's relationship to professional practice
as defined in section 6601 of Education Law. Therefore, courses that
are not related, such as PRACTICE MANAGEMENT, accounting, finance,
statistics, and how to use the Internet are NOT ACCEPTABLE.
If you are unsure whether a course you would like to take will meet
the continuing education requirement, feel free to contact the Dental
Board by phone at 518-474-3817, ext. 550 or by e-mail at dentbd@mail.nysed.gov.
Am I required to physically attend courses to meet the continuing
education requirement?
Answer: Yes. Dentists are required to complete at least two-thirds
of their continuing education hours via live courses (30 of the 45
contact hours required for a three-year registration) and dental hygienists
are required to complete at least seven-twelfths of their hours via
live courses (14 of the 24 contact hours required for a three-year
registration). Dentists may complete up to one-third of the required
hours via self-study courses (a maximum of 15 contact hours out of
45) and dental hygienists may complete up to five-twelfths of the
required hours via self-study courses (a maximum of 10 contact hours
out of 24).
What is a live course?
Answer: Live courses are those in which you are able to interact with
the instructor. For example: a live lecture; a telecourse or teleconference
in which you and the instructor can speak directly with each other;
a course in which you and other practitioners discuss a taped presentation
with a facilitator's assistance; a computerized course in which you
are able to interact directly with the instructor. On the other hand,
a televised lecture with no means of direct interaction would not
be acceptable as a live course even if it is a live telecast.
Are there any other ways to obtain continuing education hours?
Answer: Yes. In addition to formal courses offered by approved sponsors
in appropriate subject areas, the following courses are acceptable
for continuing education.
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Basic Life Support (BLS) (this
is often referred to as CPR/AED), and Advanced Cardiac Life Support
(ACLS) courses sponsored by the American Red Cross, the American Heart
Association, the American Safety and Health Institute or the National
Safety Council.
You may count an initial CPR course for up to five hours and a recertification
CPR course for up to three hours. A copy of your CPR card is proof
of completion.
If the CPR course includes additional instruction in the use of an
Automated External Defibrillator (AED) you may count this for up to
an additional three hours. A copy of your CPR/AED or BLS card is proof
of completion.
You may count an initial ACLS course for up to twelve hours and an
ACLS recertification course for up to six hours. A copy of your ACLS
card is proof of completion.
(Note: First-aid courses are not acceptable.)
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) programs. You may count an initial
EMT Basic course for up to ten hours and an EMT Basic recertification
course for up to five hours.
Registered/Accredited residency programs.
Mandatory infection control offered by a New York State approved provider.
Mandatory training in the identification and reporting of child abuse
and maltreatment offered by a New York State Education Department
approved provider (two hours).
In addition, you may count up to seven (7) hours per triennial registration
period for teaching a continuing education course as long as the course
is in an appropriate subject area and is offered by an approved sponsor.
Credit will NOT be given for life/work experience; informal group
"study clubs" of dentists and/or dental hygienists run by
an unapproved sponsor; studying on your own; or conducting research,
writing for journals, making videos and/or faculty teaching.
How do I know if a sponsor is approved?
Answer: The following entities are authorized to approve sponsors
of continuing education for New York State dentists and dental hygienists.
Therefore, courses offered by sponsors approved by one of these entities
are considered approved for New York State mandatory continuing education
purposes. In addition to making sure a sponsor is approved in accordance
with the guidelines above, for courses completed on or after January
1, 2000 dentists are required to verify that the sponsor has at least
one full-time employee of any kind, meaning an employee who works
at least 30 hours per week.
The American Dental Association's Continuing Education Recognition
Program (ADA CERP)
A list of sponsors approved by ADA CERP is available from the Continuing
Education Recognition Program, American Dental Association, 211 East
Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611-2678; phone 312-440-2869; Web site
ww.ada.org/prof/ed/ce/cerp/index.asp
The Academy of General Dentistry's Program Approval for Continuing
Education (AGD PACE)
A list of sponsors approved by AGD PACE is available from the Academy
of General Dentistry, 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611-2670;
phone 312-440-4300; Web site www.agd.org/cde/pace/providers.asp.
Note that AGD sponsors must have national approval to be acceptable.
The New York State Dental Association (NYSDA)
Information regarding sponsors approved by NYSDA is available from
the New York State Dental Association, 121 State Street, 4th Floor,
Albany, NY 12207; phone 518-465-0044; Web site www.nysdental.org.
The New York State Education Department (NYSED)
Information regarding sponsors approved by NYSED is available from
the New York State Education Department, State Board for Dentistry,
89 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12234-1000; phone 518-474-3817 ext.
550; fax 518-473-6995; Web site www.op.nysed.gov/dentcesponsors.htm.
Although they are not authorized to approve sponsors, colleges, universities,
and other degree-granting institutions offering degree (A.A.S., B.S.,
M.S., D.D.S., Ph.D.) and certificate or diploma programs carrying
degree credit that are registered by the State Education Department
or that are accredited by an equivalent accrediting agency are approved
as sponsors for courses in their registered or accredited programs.
A list of New York State degree-granting institutions is available
from the New York State Education Department, Office of Higher Education,
Office of College and University Evaluation, 5 N. Mezzanine, Albany,
NY 12234; phone 518-474-5851; Inventory of Registered Programs Web
site www.nysed.gov/heds/IRPSL1.html.
In addition, the following entities are authorized to approve sponsors
of continuing education for New York State dental hygienists only.
The American Academy of Dental Hygiene, Inc. (AADH)
Information regarding sponsors approved by AADH is available from
the American Academy of Dental Hygiene, Inc., P.O. Box 328, Farmingdale,
NY 11735; phone 718-529-1699.
The Dental Hygienists' Association of the State of New York (DHASNY)
Information regarding sponsors approved by DHASNY is available from
the Dental Hygienists' Association of the State of New York, 23 Burton
Lane, Massapequa, NY 11758; phone 516-541-4540.
If you are unsure whether a sponsor offering a continuing education
program is approved, feel free to contact the Dental Board by phone
at 518-474-3817, ext. 550 or by e-mail at dentbd@mail.nysed.gov.
What records will I have to keep for the continuing education courses
I attend?
Answer: You will need to keep verification of attendance for each
course for six years from the date of completion. Verification should
include the following items:
title of the course;
number of hours completed;
the sponsor's name;
the location the course was taken;
the date of the course; and
verification by the sponsor of your attendance.
This information is likely to be provided on a certificate of completion
from the sponsor. Dentists' records must include verification that
the sponsor has at least one full-time employee.
Do I have to send these continuing education records to the State
Education Department's State Board for Dentistry when I reregister?
Answer: No. You will be required to certify completion of the required
hours on the form to renew your registration by answering the continuing
education question and signing the form. However, you are required
to make your continuing education records available for inspection
by the Education Department upon request. Random audits are conducted
each month to insure compliance with these important requirements.
What if an audit reveals that I did not comply with the mandatory
continuing education requirement?
Answer: You will be subject to disciplinary proceedings for professional
misconduct. According to Section 29.1 of the Rules of the Board of
Regents, willfully making or filing a false report is unprofessional
conduct. Penalties may include censure and reprimand, a fine and/or
suspension or revocation of your license to practice in New York State.
When I attend some classes, I am told that copies of my certificates
are being sent to another location. Are they sent to the State Board
for Dentistry?
Answer: No. Most likely your certificates are either sent to the New
York State Dental Association or the Academy of General Dentistry.
If I am audited, can I send my transcripts from those agencies as
proof of completion of my continuing education requirement?
Answer: The Department accepts the transcripts from the New York State
Dental Association, but does not accept those of the Academy of General
Dentistry at this time. Although these organizations will maintain
records of the number of hours completed by their members, we recommend
that you keep your copies of the certificates of completion in your
own files for a minimum of six years.
What if it is time for me to reregister or I want to reactivate my
registration and I have not completed the required number of continuing
education hours?
Answer: You may request a one-year conditional registration. The Education
Department may grant a conditional registration to a licensee who
admits to noncompliance with the continuing education requirements.
To be granted a conditional registration, you would have to agree
to:
complete the hours lacking from your previous registration period;
complete the regular continuing education requirement prorated for
the one-year conditional registration (15 hours for dentists and 8
hours for dental hygienists);
pay the full triennial registration fee for the conditional registration;
and at the end of the conditional registration year, provide proof
of compliance and pay the full triennial registration fee for the
remaining two years of your registration.
Conditional registrations are valid for no more than one year and
are not renewable. This means you MUST meet the requirements by the
end of the conditional period. You will not be issued a registration
for the remaining two years until you meet the requirements. Remember
- if you are not registered you may not practice your profession in
New York State.
What if I do not meet the continuing education requirement and do
not renew my registration?
Answer: If you are not going to practice your profession in New York
State, you must submit a written request to place your license in
an inactive status. You will remain in an inactive status until you
meet the pre-existing continuing education requirement and submit
a registration renewal application with proof of compliance (see question
19 regarding verification of course completion) and the appropriate
fee. Remember - if you are not registered you may not practice your
profession in New York State.
|
What if, due to circumstances beyond my control, I am having difficulty
meeting the continuing education requirement?
Answer: The Department may grant an adjustment (not an exemption)
to the requirement for: poor health certified by a physician; a specific
physical or mental disability certified by an appropriate health care
professional; extended active duty with the armed forces of the United
States; or extreme hardship which, in the judgement of the Department,
makes it impossible for the licensee to comply with the continuing
education requirements in a timely manner. You must request an adjustment
from the Office of the State Board for Dentistry and provide written
documentation from an official source (such as a treating physician)
of the circumstances preventing you from complying with the requirements.
What if I have questions or need further information?
Answer: Contact the State Board for Dentistry, New York State Education
Department, Office of the Professions, 89 Washington Avenue, Second
Floor West, Albany, New York 12234-1000, phone 518-474-3817 ext. 550,
fax 518-473-6995, e-mail dentbd@mail.nysed.
Please visit http://www.op.nysed.gov/dentdhlic.htm periodically for
current information regarding issues related to the practice of your
profession.
The above information was obtained from the New York State Education
Department Office of Professions website.
