Part V. Licensure Renewal and Reinstatement
18VAC60-25-180. Requirements for licensure renewal.
A. An active or inactive dental hygiene license shall be renewed in the licensee's birth month each year.
B. A faculty license, a restricted volunteer license, or a temporary permit shall be renewed on or before June 30 each year.
C. The license of any person who does not return the completed renewal form and fees by the deadline required in subsection A of this section shall automatically expire and become invalid.
D. Any person who does not return the completed form and fee by the deadline required in subsection A of this section shall be required to pay an additional late fee. The board may renew a license if the renewal form, renewal fee, and late fee are received within one year of the deadline required in subsection A of this section.
Statutory Authority
§ 54.1-2400 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 32, Issue 5, eff. December 2, 2015; amended, Virginia Register Volume 36, Issue 24, eff. August 19, 2020; Volume 41, Issue 2, eff. October 24, 2024.
18VAC60-25-190. Requirements for continuing education.
A. In order to renew an active license, a dental hygienist shall complete a minimum of 15 hours of approved continuing education. Continuing education hours in excess of the number required for renewal may be transferred or credited to the next renewal year for a total of not more than 15 hours.
1. A dental hygienist shall be required to maintain evidence of successful completion of a current hands-on course in basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation for health care providers.
2. A dental hygienist who monitors patients under general anesthesia, deep sedation, or moderate sedation shall complete four hours every two years of approved continuing education directly related to monitoring of such anesthesia or sedation as part of the hours required for licensure renewal.
3. Up to three hours of the 15 hours required for annual renewal may be satisfied through delivery of dental hygiene services, without compensation, to low-income individuals receiving health services through a local health department or a free clinic organized in whole or primarily for the delivery of those services.
B. An approved continuing education program shall be relevant to the treatment and care of patients and shall consist of:
1. Clinical courses in dental or dental hygiene practice; or
2. Nonclinical subjects that relate to the skills necessary to provide dental hygiene services and are supportive of clinical services (i.e., patient management, legal and ethical responsibilities, risk management, and recordkeeping). Courses not acceptable for the purpose of this subsection include estate planning, financial planning, investments, and personal health.
C. Continuing education credit may be earned for verifiable attendance at or participation in any course, to include audio and video presentations, that meets the requirements in subdivision B 1 of this section and is given by one of the
sponsors approved by the board.
D. Verification of compliance.
1. All licensees are required to verify compliance with continuing education requirements at the time of annual license renewal.
2. Following the renewal period, the board may conduct an audit of licensees to verify compliance.
3. Any licensee selected for audit shall provide original documents certifying that the licensee has fulfilled the continuing education requirements by the deadline date as specified by the board.
4. Licensees are required to maintain original documents verifying the date and the subject of the program or activity, the sponsor, and the amount of time earned. Documentation shall be maintained for a period of four years following renewal.
5. Failure to comply with continuing education requirements may subject the licensee to disciplinary action by the board.
E. Exemptions.
1. A licensee is exempt from completing continuing education requirements and considered in compliance on the first renewal date following the licensee's initial licensure.
2. The board may grant an exemption for all or part of the continuing education requirements due to circumstances beyond the control of the licensee, such as temporary disability, mandatory military service, or officially declared disasters. A written request with supporting documents must be submitted at least 30 days prior to the deadline for renewal.
F. The board may grant an extension for up to one year for completion of continuing education upon written request with an explanation to the board prior to the renewal date.
G. Continuing education hours required by board order shall not be used to satisfy the continuing education requirement for license renewal or reinstatement.
H. In order to practice under remote supervision in accordance with subsection F of § 54.1-2722 of the Code of Virginia, a dental hygienist shall complete a continuing education course of no less than two hours in duration that is offered by an accredited dental education program or a sponsor listed in subsection C of this section and that includes the following course content:
1. Intent and definitions of remote supervision;
2. Review of dental hygiene scope of practice and delegation of services;
3. Administration of controlled substances;
4. Patient records, documentation, and risk management;
5. Remote supervision laws for dental hygienists and dentists;
6. Written practice protocols; and
7. Settings allowed for remote supervision.
Statutory Authority
§§ 54.1-2400 and 54.1-2709.5 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 32, Issue 5, eff. December 5, 2015; amended, Virginia Register Volume 33, Issue 9, eff. February 10, 2017; Volume 34, Issue 25, eff. September 20, 2018; Volume 35, Issue 5, eff. November 28, 2018; Volume 41, Issue 2, eff. October 24, 2024.
18VAC60-25-200. Inactive license.
A. Any dental hygienist who holds a current, unrestricted license in Virginia may, upon a request on the renewal application and submission of the required fee, be issued an inactive license.
B. With the exception of practice with a restricted volunteer license as provided in § 54.1-2726.1 of the Code of Virginia, the holder of an inactive license shall not be entitled to perform any act requiring a license to practice dental hygiene in Virginia.
C. An inactive dental hygiene license may be renewed on or before the licensee's birth month of each year.
Statutory Authority
§ 54.1-2400 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 32, Issue 5, eff. December 2, 2015; amended, Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 2, eff. October 24, 2024.
18VAC60-25-210. Reinstatement or reactivation of a license.
A. Reinstatement of an expired license.
1. Any person whose license has been expired for more than one year and who wishes to reinstate such license shall submit to the board a reinstatement application and the reinstatement fee.
2. An applicant for reinstatement shall submit evidence of completion of continuing education that meets the requirements of 18VAC60-25-190 and is equal to the requirement for the number of years in which the applicant's license has not been active in Virginia, not to exceed a total of 45 hours. Of the required hours, at least 15 must be earned in the most recent 12 months and the remainder within the 36 months preceding an application for reinstatement.
3. An applicant for reinstatement shall also provide evidence of continuing clinical competence that may also include (i) documentation of active practice in another state or in federal service, (ii) recent passage of a clinical competency examination accepted by the board, or (iii) completion of a clinical, hands-on refresher program offered by a CODA accredited program.
4. The executive director may reinstate a license provided that the applicant can demonstrate continuing clinical competence, that no grounds exist pursuant to § 54.1-2706 of the Code of Virginia or 18VAC60-25-120 to deny reinstatement, and that the applicant has paid the reinstatement fee and any fines or assessments.
B. Reactivation of an inactive license.
1. An inactive license may be reactivated upon submission of the required application and payment of the current renewal fee.
2. An applicant for reactivation shall also provide evidence of continuing clinical competence that may also include (i) documentation of active practice in another state or in federal service, (ii) recent passage of a clinical competency examination accepted by the board, or (iii) completion of a clinical, hands-on refresher program offered by a CODA accredited program.
3. The executive director may reactivate a license provided that the applicant can demonstrate continuing clinical competence and that no grounds exist pursuant to § 54.1-2706 of the Code of Virginia or 18VAC60-25-120 to deny said reactivation.
Statutory Authority
§ 54.1-2400 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 32, Issue 5, eff. December 2, 2015; amended, Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 2, eff. October 24, 2024.