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March 2008 | Modern Hygienist Make recertification easier Tips on getting re-licensed from state to state. People are on the move. According to a recent USA Today article, the percentage of Americans who say they moved from another state the previous year has risen every year this decade. Figures from the U.S. Census Bureau suggest that the increase in movers from 2003 to 2006 amounts to an extra 1.5 million people moving to another state every year, or a total of 8 million in 2006. For many people in many professions, an interstate move represents untold opportunities. In contrast, dental hygienists face many hurdles: re-licensing, different CE requirements, varying practice laws, and potentially limited supervision. While you can’t change the fact that various state boards regulate dental hygiene differently, you can be prepared to face the re-licensing challenges head on and get back into practice as quickly as possible. Know challenges up front Some states have a time limit in which a person must take and pass the National Board of Dental Hygiene, otherwise, it must be retaken and passed. This can prove to be very challenging for the seasoned hygienist, as one cannot take office or CE information to the test; the test is based on didactic information. I would strongly recommend that if one must retake the national board exam, that they attend a board review course in advance. Another challenge people face is that some states do not allow hygienists to perform certain functions, such as the administration of local anesthesia or nitrous oxide. If you happen to move from a prohibitive state to a state that does license this procedure, you must be educated and trained to competency. There are courses available throughout the country over the course of the year. As well, there may be other remediable and irremediable tasks delegable to the dental hygienist in the new state, and which she or he has no experience with; it is critical to be trained properly and to perform such tasks according to the state dental practice act. Complying with the new state’s dental practice act should not be difficult, but it does require motivation and initiative to take the necessary steps for both training and testing. Know the test Once you know what a state requires, you also need to learn what its testing includes. Some states, such as Florida, require a computerized test on the Dental Practice Act and a hands-on clinical exam in which one is required to scale the entire dentition and then root plane four teeth. This exam is offered only twice annually. Other states require computerized tests on the sciences, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA), the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) standards, as well as a clinical examination in which they debride a quadrant or sextant of the dentition. Many states offer comprehensive testing information via Board of Dentistry of dental hygiene association Web sites. Take the time to look these up and review the dental practice act and licensure requirements in order to be prepared—it will save you time in the future. It is important to note that just telephoning the state dental board office is not the best method to employ since in many states it is the Department of Health that contains the needed information. Confidence is key, so remember, above all, remember that you have taken and passed these tests in the past and will be able to do so again. Know your options If the thought of testing causes cold sweats and you have discretionary income available, there is an alternative to retaking the exam: Licensure by credentials. Many states will grant you a license if you have worked for five years or more and can present the credentials that they require. This is a bit more costly than taking the clinical exam (in some states) and is definitely more time consuming. Only a few states offer reciprocity, even with the regional boards having been passed and there is a time limit as to when those regional exams were taken and passed. It is important to undertake thorough research by going to the Board of Dentistry Web site in the “new” and learn what the licensure requirements are and whether or not reciprocation or licensure by credentials is available. For many people in many professions, an interstate move represents untold opportunities. In contrast, dental hygienists face many hurdles: re-licensing, different CE requirements, varying practice laws, and potentially limited supervision. While you can’t change the fact that various state boards regulate dental hygiene differently, you can be prepared to face the re-licensing challenges head on and get back into practice as quickly as possible. Jane Weiner, RDH, is the owner of Jane Weiner, RDH, Board Reviews Inc. She also serves as adjunct faculty NOVA SE College of Dental Medicine Predoctoral Periodontics Department, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
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