Sec. 256.1013. PROVISIONAL LICENSE. (a) The board may issue a provisional license to an applicant currently licensed in another jurisdiction who seeks a license in this state and who:

(1) has been licensed in good standing as a dentist or dental hygienist for at least two years in another jurisdiction that has licensing requirements substantially equivalent to the requirements of this subtitle;

(2) is a graduate of a recognized school of dentistry or dental hygiene accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association and approved by the board;

(3) has passed a national or other examination recognized by the board relating to the practice of dentistry or dental hygiene, as appropriate; and

(4) is sponsored by a person who holds an appropriate license under this subtitle and with whom the provisional license holder will practice during the time the person holds a provisional license.

(b) The board may waive the requirement of Subsection (a)(4) for an applicant if the board determines that compliance with that subdivision would be a hardship to the applicant.

(c) A provisional license is valid until the date the board approves or denies the provisional license holder's application for a license. The board shall issue a license under this subtitle to the provisional license holder if:

(1) the provisional license holder is eligible to be licensed under Section 256.101; or

(2) the provisional license holder passes the part of the examination under Section 256.003 or 256.055 that relates to the applicant's knowledge and understanding of the laws and rules relating to the practice of dentistry or dental hygiene, as appropriate, in this state and:

(A) the board verifies that the provisional license holder meets the academic and experience requirements for a license under this subtitle; and

(B) the provisional license holder satisfies any other licensing requirements under this subtitle.

(d) The board must approve or deny a provisional license holder's application for a license not later than the 180th day after the date the provisional license is issued. The board may extend the 180-day period if the results of an examination have not been received by the board before the end of that period.

(e) The board may establish a fee for provisional licenses in an amount reasonable and necessary to cover the cost of issuing the license.

Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 17, Sec. 14, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.