Licensure Portability May be Coming to Ohio

Licensure portability may be coming to Ohio, as two bills—SB 7 and HB 432—in the legislature would create significant changes for licensed professionals, including dentists, dental hygienists, and dental assistants.

By The Editors On Jan 3, 2020 0

SB 7 would increase portability for members of the military and their spouses by requiring state occupational licensing agencies to issue temporary licenses or certificates to members of the military and their spouses if they are licensed in another jurisdiction and are on military duty in Ohio.

HB 432 would implement broader licensure reciprocity changes for many licensed professionals who are not members of the military or a military spouse. The bill includes several specific changes for the Ohio State Dental Board, including a requirement for the board to grant a license to any applicant who holds a license to practice dentistry or dental hygiene in another state. The bill also allows the board to issue a teaching license to a dentist licensed in another state. The bill requires the following:

The board must issue a permit to employ or use conscious sedation to a dentist licensed in another state if the dentist holds a license to employ or use conscious sedation in another state or, if coming from a state that does not issue a license or certificate, the dentist has completed satisfactory work experience, and holds a government certification or private certification.
The board must issue a general anesthesia permit to a dentist licensed in another state when the dentist holds a general anesthesia license or permit in another state or, if coming from a state that does not issue a license or certificate, has completed satisfactory work experience, and holds a government certification or private certification.
The board must issue a certificate to a dental assistant to engage in polishing activities when an applicant holds a license or certificate in another state or, if coming from a state that does not issue a license or certificate, has completed satisfactory work experience, and holds a government certification or private certification.
The board must issue a certificate to a dental radiograph machine operator when an applicant holds a license or certificate in another state or, if coming from a state that does not issue a license or certificate, has completed satisfactory work experience, and holds a government certification or private certification.
The board must issue a license to an expanded function dental auxiliary who is licensed or registered in another state or, if coming from a state that does not issue a license or certificate, has completed satisfactory work experience, and holds a government certification or private certification.

The bill also addresses out-of-state practitioners who wish to engage in teledentistry in Ohio by including a clarifying provision that states dentists who hold a license in another state must obtain a teledentistry permit, but do not need to obtain an Ohio license.