Sec. 256.101. ISSUANCE OF LICENSE TO CERTAIN OUT-OF-STATE APPLICANTS. (a) The board shall issue a license to practice dentistry to a reputable dentist or a license to practice dental hygiene to a reputable dental hygienist who:

(1) pays the fee set by the board;

(2) is licensed in good standing as a dentist or dental hygienist in another state that has licensing requirements substantially equivalent to the requirements of this subtitle;

(3) has not been the subject of a final disciplinary action and is not the subject of a pending disciplinary action in any jurisdiction in which the dentist or dental hygienist is or has been licensed;

(4) has graduated from a dental or dental hygiene school accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association and approved by the board under board rule;

(5) has passed a national or other examination relating to dentistry or dental hygiene and recognized by the board;

(6) has passed the board's jurisprudence examination;

(7) has submitted documentation of current cardiopulmonary resuscitation certification;

(8) has practiced dentistry or dental hygiene:

(A) for at least the three years preceding the date of application for a license under this section; or

(B) as a dental educator at a dental school or dental hygiene school accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association for at least the five years preceding the date of application for a license under this section;

(9) has been endorsed by the board of dentistry in the jurisdiction in which the applicant practices at the time of application; and

(10) meets any additional criteria established by board rule.

(a-1) The board by rule shall specify the circumstances under which the board may waive the requirement under Subsection (a)(8) that an applicant for a license under this section has been continuously engaged in the practice of dentistry or dental hygiene during the period required by that subsection if the applicant has engaged in the practice of dentistry or dental hygiene for a cumulative total of at least three years before the date of application for a license under this section.

(b) If the board does not complete the processing of an application under this section before the 181st day after the date all documentation and examination results required by this section have been received, the board shall issue a license to the applicant.

Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 388, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999. Amended by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1249, Sec. 4, 5, eff. Sept. 1, 2001; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 17, Sec. 13, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.