License Renewal, Reactivation and Reinstatement

(1) A licensed dentist shall renew a dental license biennially no later than March 31st of even-numbered years. A licensed dentist shall include with a renewal application, an attestation, signed under the pains and penalties of perjury, the applicant participates in, or had applied to participate in, MassHealth as either a provider of services or as a nonbilling provider for the purpose of ordering and referring services covered by MassHealth, in accordance with M.G.L. c. 112, § 45. (2) A licensed dental hygienist shall renew a dental hygiene license biennially no later than March 31st of odd-numbered years. (3) A licensed dental assistant shall renew a dental assistant license biennially no later than st October 31 of odd-numbered years. The first renewal date for individuals licensed as a dental assistant shall be October 31, 2015. (4) Continuing Education Required for Renewal, Reactivation or Reinstatement. A licensee shall not renew, or petition for reinstatement or reactivation of a license unless and until all continuing education required for renewal, reactivation or reinstatement set forth in 234 CMR 8.00: Continuing Education is completed. (5) Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 112, § 1B(c), the license of a dentist, dental hygienist or dental assistant who is engaged in active service in the armed forces remains valid until 90 days following the release from active duty. The continuing education requirement in 234 CMR 4.14(4) shall not apply to any biennial cycle in which the licensee was in active duty service within 90 days immediately preceding the applicable renewal deadline. (6) A licensee shall not practice dentistry, dental hygiene or dental assisting with an expired, suspended, surrendered or revoked license. A licensee who engages in such unlicensed practice may be subject to a civil administrative penalty pursuant to M.G.L. c. 112, § 65(b) and may be subject to Board discipline. (7) Renewal on or Prior to License Expiration Date. A licensee shall renew a license by filing a properly completed license renewal application and providing all related information to the Board, on forms and in accordance with instructions specified by the Board, and paying the license renewal fee(s) established by the Executive Office of Administration and Finance. (8) Renewal after License Expiration Date Within Two Renewal Cycles. (a) An individual whose license is expired for less than two renewal cycles may apply for renewal of a license only by: 1. Filing an accurate, complete and signed license renewal application and providing all related information as required by the Board on forms and in accordance with instructions specified by the Board; 2. Paying license renewal fee for each intervening renewal cycle and paying the late renewal fee established by the Executive Office of Administration and Finance; 3. Submitting to the Board required documentation to prove completion of continuing education credits required for each renewal cycle pursuant to 234 CMR 8.00: Continuing Education; and 4. Submitting to the Board a satisfactory written explanation of the reasons for the licensee's failure to renew the license in a timely manner. (b) The Board may require the licensee to submit additional information or documentation before approving or denying the licensee's renewal application. The Board may require a licensee to provide such additional information either in person or in writing. Failure to respond to or cooperate with such requests shall constitute grounds to deny the application. (9) Renewal of Expired License Greater than Two Renewal Cycles. (a) A licensee whose license is expired for longer than two renewal cycles, may apply for renewal of a license by: 1. Filing an accurate, complete and signed license renewal application and providing all related information as required by the Board on forms and in accordance with instructions specified by the Board; 2. Paying license renewal fee(s) for each intervening renewal cycle and paying the late renewal fee as established by the Executive Office of Administration and Finance; 3. Submitting to the Board certificates for continuing education credits required for each renewal cycle, pursuant to 234 CMR 8.00: Continuing Education; and 4. Submitting to the Board a satisfactory written explanation of the reasons for the licensee's failure to renew the license in a timely manner. (b) The Board may require the licensee to submit additional information or documentation before approving or denying the licensee's renewal application. Failure to respond to or cooperate with such requests shall constitute grounds to deny the application. (c) The Board may, in its discretion, require a licensee to be re-examined for competency when a dentist has not practiced dentistry in the Commonwealth within five years from the date of initial licensure, or if a dentist does not maintain a current license for a period of five consecutive years. (d) A licensee shall fulfill such other conditions as the Board may require. (10) The Board may, in its discretion, decline to renew, reactivate or reinstate an expired license and may refer cases of unlicensed practice of dentistry, dental hygiene or dental assisting to appropriate law enforcement authorities for prosecution.