States Seek to Ease Restrictions on Initial Licensure During COVID-19

The American Dental Education Association (ADEA) Advocate reports three states have eased restrictions on initial licensure for students graduating from dental hygiene programs due to the cancellation of clinical examinations. At press time, several additional states have taken action that could open the door for boards of dentistry to modify initial licensure rules.

In Oklahoma, an executive order issued by Gov J. Kevin Stitt (R) requires all state agencies with licensing authority over medical professionals to promulgate rules that increase opportunities for licensure for students and recent graduates who are not yet fully licensed to practice.

An executive order issued by California Gov Gavin Newsom (D) allows the director of the state’s Department of Consumer Affairs, for the duration of the declared state of emergency, to
waive any of the professional licensing requirements and amend scopes of practice.

In Vermont, Gov Phil Scott (R) signed a bill that allows licensing boards to grant temporary licenses to graduates of approved education programs during a period when licensing examinations are not reasonably available.

Dental boards in each of these states will still need to establish rules or policies that change processes for initial licensure.

From Dimensions of Dental Hygiene. May 2020;18(5):10.