Educational Licensure Process

A dental hygienist licensed in another state may obtain a license to practice in Tennessee under the auspices of a dental or dental hygiene educational institution. This type of license limits only practice location and not services allowed to be performed. The RULES GOVERNING THE PRACTICE OF DENTAL HYGIENISTS CHAPTER 0460-03 practice location for dental hygienists who have this type of licensure is limited to programs offered by the educational institution and does not authorize practice outside the institution. The process for obtaining a limited educational license is as follows: (1) An applicant shall obtain a Board application form from the Board Administrative Office, respond truthfully and completely to every question or request for information contained in the form and submit it along with all documentation and fees required by the form and this rule to the Board Administrative Office. It is the intent of this rule that all activities necessary to accomplish the filing of the required documentation be completed prior to filing a licensure application and that all documentation be filed simultaneously. (2) An applicant shall request that a transcript from a dental hygiene school, college or university be sent directly from the institution to the Board Administrative Office. The transcript must show that the degree was conferred and carry the Official Seal of the institution. (3) An applicant shall submit: (a) Proof of having attained at least eighteen (18) years of age; and (b) A signed “passport” style photograph taken within the preceding twelve (12) months. (4) An applicant shall submit evidence of good moral character and competence. Such evidence shall include at least two (2) letters attesting to the applicant’s character and ability from licensed dentists on the signator’s letterhead. (5) An applicant shall submit proof of United States or Canadian citizenship or evidence of being legally entitled to live in the United States. Such evidence may include copies of birth certificates, naturalization papers, or current visa status. (6) An applicant shall submit the licensure application fee and state regulatory fees as provided in Rule 0460-01-.02(2). Also, if licensure is granted, the new licensee must submit the educational licensure fee provided in Rule 0460-01-.02(2) before a license will be issued. (7) An applicant shall submit evidence of current training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) which is defined as successful completion of a BLS for Healthcare Providers, or CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers, or an equivalent course, which provides training for healthcare professionals in CPR and the use of an AED by a Board-approved training organization. The course must be conducted in person and include a skills examination on a manikin with a certified instructor. (8) An applicant shall disclose the circumstances surrounding any of the following: (a) Conviction of any criminal law violation of any country, state, or municipality, except minor traffic violations. (b) The denial of licensure application by any other state or the discipline of licensure in any state. (c) Any other civil suit judgment or civil suit settlement in which the applicant was a party defendant including, without limitation, actions involving malpractice, breach of contract, antitrust activity or any other civil action remedy recognized under any country’s or state’s statutory, common, or case law. (d) Failure of any professional licensure examination. RULES GOVERNING THE PRACTICE OF DENTAL HYGIENISTS CHAPTER 0460-03 (9) An applicant shall cause to be submitted to the Board’s administrative office directly from the vendor identified in the Board’s licensure application materials, the result of a criminal background check. (10) An applicant shall submit or cause to be submitted the equivalent of Tennessee Certificate of Endorsement from the licensing board(s) of every state in which the applicant has ever been licensed which indicates the applicant either holds a current active license and whether it is in good standing, or held a license which is currently inactive and whether it was in good standing at the time it became inactive. An applicant must possess an active license in good standing in at least one (1) state. That license must have been active for at least one (1) year prior to application. (11) An applicant must successfully complete the Tennessee Board of Dentistry Ethics and Jurisprudence examination. (12) The dean or director of the dental or dental hygiene educational institution at which the applicant is to be employed shall submit on behalf of the applicant the following: (a) A letter of recommendation for educational licensure; and (b) A copy of the contract employing the applicant in a faculty position at the institution. (13) The dean or director of the educational institution shall immediately notify the Board in writing of the termination of any licensee’s employment and the reasons therefore delivered to the Board Administrative Office. Such notification terminates the licensee’s authority to practice in Tennessee. (14) Any person holding an educational license is subject to all disciplinary provisions of the Tennessee Dental Practice Act. (15) Application review and licensure decisions required by this rule shall be governed by Rule 0460-01-.04.