Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R. 64B5-2.0144 - Licensure Requirements for Dental Hygiene Applicants from Unaccredited Dental Schools or Colleges

Applicants for licensure as dental hygienists who have graduated from an unaccredited dental school or college may seek licensure in the following manner:

(1) Submit the following: A completed credentials application, Application for Dental Hygiene Credentials Review for Graduates From Non-Accredited Dental Colleges or Schools, Form DH-MQA 1253, 08/2020, and incorporated herein by reference. Application for Dental Hygiene Credentials Review for Graduates From Non-Accredited Dental Colleges or Schools, Form DH-MQA 1253, 08/2020, can be obtained at http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-13426, or at http://floridasdentistry.gov.

(2) An initial credential evaluation is not an approval for licensure; rather, the applicant must comply with all provisions of Chapter 466, F.S.

(3) A certified photocopy of the dental school diploma and a certified translation if the diploma is in a language other than English, which diploma shall be comparable to a D.D.S. or a D.M.D.

(4) Final official transcripts received directly from the schools where post-secondary dental education was received and from the dental school which reflects the applicant's matriculation and graduation dates and degree earned; the transcript shall be authenticated by the official school stamp or seal as well as the signature of an authorized school official and shall be accompanied with a certified translation if the documents are in a language other than English.

(5) Proof which establishes successful completion of 4 academic years of post-secondary dental education. Proof of the 4 years of required education shall include a report from an Education Credential Evaluators (ECE) approved evaluating service, which evaluation includes a year by year evaluation of the applicant's credentials. Said report shall not be conclusive, but shall only be advisory to the Board.

(6) Any graduate of a foreign dental college or school not accredited or approved in accordance with Section 466.007(2)(b), F.S., and not accredited in accordance with Section 466.006(2)(b), F.S., who seeks licensure as a dental hygienist pursuant to Section 466.007(2)(b)2., F.S., but is unable to supply proper educational credentials due to the political or other conditions of the country in which the education was received, shall submit any and all documents which would tend to support the applicant's claim of proper credentials and shall submit with the application.

(a) A written statement which shall include:

1. A complete chronological account of all schools attended during the candidate's entire education, including dates of attendance and graduation, the addresses of all schools attended,

2. A description of all dental school courses which the applicant successfully completed.

(b) At least five (5) written statements concerning the applicant's dental education from persons who are directly acquainted with the candidate's educational credentials. If the applicant relies on these written statements to establish qualifications for licensure, then at least three (3) of the written statements must be from dentists who are not related to the applicant.

(c) Any applicant who provides false information to the Florida Board of Dentistry on his or her licensure application and/or written statements as required by this rule will be referred for criminal prosecution pursuant to Section 456.067, F.S.

(d) Unless the Board is otherwise satisfied that the credentials required by subsections (3) through (5), above, cannot be obtained, the Board will not accept such other evidence as described in this section until the applicant has demonstrated to the Board that he or she has made a reasonable attempt to obtain the credentials.

(7) Proof received directly from the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations, that the National Board of Dental Examiners Written Examination has been successfully completed, or that the National Board of Dental Hygiene Examination has been successfully completed.

(8) If the applicant's name has changed since initiation of dental education, a certified copy of the legal document changing the name or an affidavit sworn before a notary public or other person authorized to administer oaths that the person named in credentials submitted and the applicant are the same person.

(9) Two 2 inch by 2 inch photographs of the applicant which are suitable for identification.

(10) Upon approval of the credentials, the applicant shall apply for licensure in the following manner:

(a) Successfully complete the Florida practical or clinical examination developed by the American Board of Dental Examiners, Inc. (ADEX), as specified in Rule 64B5-2.0135, F.A.C., through the Commission on Dental Competency Assessments (CDCA); and,

(b) Submit a complete application, Dental Hygiene Licensure Application, Form DH-MQA 1210 (Rev. 08/2020), incorporated herein by reference and is available at http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-13423, or http://floridasdentistry.gov. An applicant is eligible for licensure upon receipt of a completed application, passing scores from the ADEX dental hygiene examination, the National Board Dental Hygiene or National Board Dental Examination, and successful completion of the written laws and rules of Florida regulating the practice of dentistry and dental hygiene. Applicants must comply with all time requirements for passing the examinations as specified in Rule 64B5-2.0135, F.A.C. Applicants may not retake the examination upon an initial failure until the applicant has completed a remedial dental hygiene course as specified in Rule 64B5-2.0135, F.A.C. Once the applicant completes the remedial dental hygiene course and before the applicant may retake the examination, the applicant shall submit the credentials application, Application for Dental Hygiene Credentials Review for Graduates From Non-Accredited Dental Colleges or Schools, Form DH-MQA 1253, 08/2020.

Notes

Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R. 64B5-2.0144

Rulemaking Authority 456.013, 466.004, 466.007 FS. Law Implemented 456.013, 456.0635, 466.007 FS.

New 1-18-95, Formerly 59Q-2.0144, Amended 8-19-97, 8-20-97, 5-20-01, 12-21-06, 5-8-08, 4-26-10, 3-18-12, 12-11-12, Amended by Florida Register Volume 40, Number 232, December 2, 2014 effective 12/15/2014, Amended by Florida Register Volume 42, Number 066, April 5, 2016 effective 4/17/2016, Amended by Florida Register Volume 42, Number 208, October 25, 2016 effective 11/7/2016, Amended by Florida Register Volume 45, Number 196, October 8, 2019 effective 10/22/2019, Amended by Florida Register Volume 47, Number 159, August 17, 2021 effective 8/31/2021, Amended by Florida Register Volume 51, Number 023, February 4, 2025 effective 2/20/2025.

New 1-18-95, Formerly 59Q-2.0144, Amended 8-19-97, 8-20-97, 5-20-01, 12-21-06, 5-8-08, 4-26-10, 3-18-12, 12-11-12, 12-15-14, 4-17-16, 11-7-16, 10-22-19, 8-31-21.