§ 4-302. Qualifications of applicants

   (a) In general. -- Except as otherwise provided in this title, to qualify for a license, an applicant shall be an individual who meets the requirements of this section.

(b) Moral character. -- The applicant shall be of good moral character.

(c) Age to practice dentistry. -- To qualify for a license to practice dentistry, the applicant shall be at least 18 years old.

(d) Education -- Practice dentistry. -- Unless waived by the Board under § 4-303 and 4-303.1 of this subtitle, to qualify for a license to practice dentistry, the applicant shall hold a degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery, Doctor of Dental Medicine, or the equivalent, from a college or university that is:

   (1) Authorized by any state or any province of Canada to grant the degree; and

   (2) Recognized by the Board as requiring adequate preprofessional collegiate training and as maintaining an acceptable course of dental instruction.

(e) Education -- Practice dental hygiene. -- To qualify for a license to practice dental hygiene, the applicant shall be a graduate of a school for dental hygienists that:

   (1) Requires at least 2 years of education in an institution of higher education;

   (2) Is accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation; and

   (3) Is approved by the Board.

(f) Examination. --

   (1) Unless the examination requirement is waived under § 4-306 or § 4-310 of this subtitle, and except as provided in § 4-303.1 of this subtitle, to qualify for a general license to practice dentistry or a general license to practice dental hygiene, the applicant shall pass an examination given by the Board under this subtitle.

   (2) An examination is not required for a teacher's license to practice dentistry, a limited license to practice dentistry, or a teacher's license to practice dental hygiene.

(g) Additional qualifications -- Teacher's license to practice dentistry. -- In addition to the requirements of subsections (a), (b), (c), and (d) of this section, to qualify for a teacher's license to practice dentistry, the applicant shall:

   (1) Be licensed to practice dentistry in any other state;

   (2) Have been active in the dental profession for at least 5 years;

   (3) Be a full-time or part-time faculty member at a college or university where the applicant teaches a subject required by the dental school of that college or university; and

   (4) If the applicant is engaged in a teaching area that is designated as a specialty by the American Dental Association, meet the requirements established by the American Dental Association for that specialty.

(h) Additional qualifications -- Teacher's license to practice dental hygiene. -- In addition to the requirements of subsections (a), (b), and (e) of this section, to qualify for a teacher's license to practice dental hygiene, the applicant shall:

   (1) Be licensed to practice dental hygiene in any other state;

   (2) Have been active as a dental hygienist for at least 5 years before applying for the teacher's license to practice dental hygiene; and

   (3) Be a full-time or part-time faculty member at a dental school where the applicant teaches a subject required by that school.

(i) Additional requirements -- Dentists. -- In addition to the requirements of subsections (a), (b), (c), and (d) of this section, to qualify for a retired volunteer dentist's license to practice dentistry, the applicant shall:

   (1) Have had a general license to practice dentistry issued under this title within the last 2 years;

   (2) Complete the continuing education requirements that the Board establishes for a general license; and

   (3) Provide dental services as required under § 4-308(c) of this subtitle.

(j) Additional requirements -- Dental hygienists. -- In addition to the requirements of subsections (a), (b), and (e) of this section, to qualify for a retired dental hygienist's license to practice dental hygiene, the applicant shall:

   (1) Have had a general license to practice dental hygiene under this title within the last 2 years;

   (2) Complete the continuing education requirements that the Board establishes for a general license; and

   (3) Provide dental hygiene services as required under § 4-308(g) of this subtitle.

(k) Additional requirements -- Volunteer dentist's license. -- In addition to the requirements of subsections (a), (b), (c), and (d) of this section, to qualify for a volunteer dentist's license to practice dentistry, the applicant shall:

   (1) Satisfy the requirements of § 4-306(b)(1) and (d)(2) of this subtitle;

   (2) Hold an active license to practice dentistry in another state or in the District of Columbia;

   (3) Complete the continuing education requirements that the Board establishes for a general license;

   (4) Provide dental services exclusively in the manner described in § 4-308(c) of this subtitle; and

   (5) Immediately upon ceasing to provide services exclusively in the manner described in § 4-308(c), surrender the volunteer license to the Board.

(l) Additional requirements -- Volunteer dental hygienist's license. -- In addition to the requirements of subsections (a), (b), (c), and (e) of this section, to qualify for a volunteer dental hygienist's license to practice dental hygiene, an applicant shall:

   (1) Satisfy the requirements of § 4-306(b)(2) and (e)(2) of this subtitle;

   (2) Hold an active license to practice dental hygiene in another state or in the District of Columbia;

   (3) Complete the continuing education requirements that the Board establishes for a general license;

   (4) Provide dental hygiene services exclusively in the manner described in § 4-308(g) of this subtitle; and

   (5) Immediately upon ceasing to provide services exclusively in the manner described in § 4-308(g), surrender the volunteer license to the Board.

(m) Additional requirements -- Limited license. -- To qualify for a limited license to practice dentistry, the applicant shall meet the requirements set forth in subsections (a), (b), (c), and (d) of this section.

HISTORY: An. Code 1957, art. 32, § 5, 28, 28A; 1981, ch. 8, § 2; 1990, ch. 6, § 11; 1997, ch. 691; 2000, ch. 83, § 2; ch. 239; 2003, chs. 131, 237; 2006, ch. 469; 2011, ch. 65, § 5.