TITLE 22.EXAMINING BOARDS

Part 5. STATE BOARD OF DENTAL EXAMINERS

Chapter 104. CONTINUING EDUCATION

22 TAC §104.1

The Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (Board) proposes amendments to 22 TAC Chapter 104, §104.1, concerning continuing education requirements for dentists and dental hygienists. The amendments are proposed to require that dentists and dental hygienists take an additional 3 hours of continuing education in the area of jurisprudence, to be completed every three years. The section as amended also contains revisions to clarify and standardize language, and to improve organization.

There are no other substantive changes to the section.

Mr. Bobby D. Schmidt, Executive Director, Texas State Board of Dental Examiners has determined that for each year of the first five-year period the section is in effect, there will be no fiscal implications for local or state government as a result of enforcing or administering the section.

The public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing or administering the section will be an increased awareness on the part of licensees of the laws and regulations governing the practice of dentistry.

The impact on large, small or micro-businesses will be negligible, limited to the costs associated with taking the course.

The anticipated economic cost to persons as a result of enforcing or administering the section is negligible, and is limited to the costs associated with taking the course.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Bobby D. Schmidt, M.Ed. Executive Director, Texas State Board of Dental Examiners, 333 Guadalupe, Tower 3, Suite 800, Austin, Texas 78701, (512) 475-1660. To be considered, all written comments must be received by the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners no later than 30 days from the date that this amended section is published in the Texas Register .

The amendment is proposed under Texas Government Code §2001.021 et seq., Texas Civil Statutes; the Occupations Code §254.001, which provides the Board with the authority to adopt and enforce rules necessary for it to perform its duties, and §257.005 of the Occupations Code, which requires that the Board develop a continuing education program for dentists and dental hygienists.

The proposed amendment affects Title 3, Subtitle D of the Occupations Code and Title 22, Texas Administrative Code, Chapters 101-125.

§104.1.Requirement.

As a prerequisite to the annual renewal of a dental or dental hygiene license, proof of completion of 12 hours of acceptable continuing education is required.

[ (1) A licensee may carry forward continuing education hours earned prior to a renewal period which are in excess of the 12-hour requirement and such excess hours may be applied to subsequent years' requirements. Excess hours to be carried forward must have been earned in a classroom setting and within the three years immediately preceding the renewal period. A maximum of 24 total excess credit hours may be carried forward.]

(1) [ (2) ] Each licensee shall select and participate in the continuing education courses endorsed by the providers identified in §104.2 of this title (relating to Continuing Education Providers). A licensee who is unable to meet education course requirements may request that alternative courses or procedures be approved by the Continuing Education Committee.

(A) Such requests must be in writing and submitted to and approved by the Continuing Education Committee prior to the expiration of the annual period for which the alternative is being requested.

(B) A licensee must provide supporting documentation detailing the reason why the continuing education requirements set forth in [ paragraph (5) of ] this section cannot be met and must submit a proposal for alternative education procedures.

(C) Acceptable causes may include residence outside the United States, unanticipated financial or medical hardships, or other extraordinary circumstances that are documented.

(D) Should the request be denied, the licensee must complete the requirements [ as cited in paragraph (5) ] of this section.

(2) Aside from courses taken to satisfy the jurisprudence requirement of §104.1(3) of this title, all coursework must be either technical or scientific as related to clinical care. The terms "technical" and "scientific" as applied to continuing education shall mean that courses have significant intellectual or practical content and are designed to directly enhance the practitioner's knowledge and skill in providing clinical care to the individual patient.

(3) Effective January 1, 2005, each licensee shall complete three (3) hours of approved coursework in jurisprudence every three (3) years, in addition to the general 12 hour requirement.

(A) For the purposes of this section, "jurisprudence" refers to the body of statutes and regulations pertaining to and governing the licensee's practice, including relevant portions of the Texas Occupations Code, and the rules enacted by the Board.

(B) Coursework in jurisprudence may be through self-study or interactive computer courses, either of which must be verifiable and provided by those entities cited in §104.2 of this title.

(4) A licensee may carry forward continuing education hours earned prior to a renewal period which are in excess of the 12-hour requirement and such excess hours may be applied to subsequent years' requirements. Excess hours to be carried forward must have been earned in a classroom setting and within the three years immediately preceding the renewal period. A maximum of 24 total excess credit hours may be carried forward.

[ (3) Examiners for the Western Regional Examining Board (WREB) will be allowed credit for no more than 6 hours annually, obtained from WREB's calibration and standardization exercise. This provision shall not apply to active board members.]

[ (4) All 12 hours must be either technical or scientific as related to clinical care. The terms "technical" and "scientific" as applied to continuing education shall mean that courses have significant intellectual or practical content and are designed to directly enhance the practitioner's knowledge and skill in providing clinical care to the individual patient.]

(5) Hours of coursework in the standards of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) or in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) may not be considered in the 12-hour requirement.

(6) No more than 4 hours in any [ 12-hour ] accumulation of coursework submitted for renewal purposes may be in self-study. These self-study hours must be provided by those entities cited in §104.2 of this title (relating to Providers). Examples of self-study courses include correspondence courses, video courses, audio courses, and reading courses.

[ (7) Any individual or entity may petition one of the providers listed in §104.2 of this title to offer continuing education.]

(7) [ (8) ] No more than 4 hours in any [ a 12-hour ] accumulation of coursework submitted for renewal purposes may be interactive computerized courses. These interactive computerized courses must be provided by those entities cited in §104.2 of this title. Examples of interactive computer courses include those that involve interactive dialogue through electronic linkage with an instructor in which manipulation of text or data by the licensee occurs.

(8) Examiners for the Western Regional Examining Board (WREB) will be allowed credit for no more than 6 hours annually, obtained from WREB's calibration and standardization exercise. This provision shall not apply to active board members.

(9) Any individual or entity may petition one of the providers listed in §104.2 of this title to offer continuing education.

(10) [ (9) ] Providers cited in §104.2 of this title will approve individual courses and/or instructors.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on April 20, 2004.

TRD-200402633

Bobby D. Schmidt, M.Ed.

Executive Director

State Board of Dental Examiners

Earliest possible date of adoption: June 6, 2004

For further information, please call: (512) 475-0972


Chapter 108. PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT

Subchapter B. SANITATION AND INFECTION CONTROL

22 TAC §108.25

The Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (Board) proposes amendments to 22 TAC Chapter 108, §108.25, concerning dental health care workers.

The amendment adds subsection (e), which recommends that all dental health care workers receive a tuberculin skin test annually or on discovery of exposure, and encourages compliance with guidelines for tuberculosis testing and control recommended by the Centers For Disease Control and the Texas Department of Health.

There are no other substantive changes to the section.

Mr. Bobby D. Schmidt, Executive Director, Texas State Board of Dental Examiners has determined that for each year of the first five-year period the section is in effect, there will be no fiscal implications for local or state government as a result of enforcing or administering the section.

Mr. Bobby D. Schmidt, Executive Director, Texas State Board of Dental Examiners has determined that for each year of the first five-year period the section is in effect, the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing or administering the section will be to increase awareness and participation among dental health care workers in testing as a means for controlling the spread of tuberculosis, which is a persistent problem in certain areas of Texas.

The impact on large, small or micro-businesses will be negligible, since the additional language is suggestive and not mandatory. Those businesses that choose to adopt the recommended precautions may incur marginal costs for testing, and those employing individuals that discover they test positively may incur costs associated with accommodating the condition of those individuals, as may be required.

The anticipated economic cost to persons as a result of enforcing or administering the section also depends on the level of compliance with the rule's suggestions. Those individuals that choose to adopt the recommended precautions may incur marginal costs for testing, and those individuals that discover they test positively may incur costs for further testing and treatment.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Bobby D. Schmidt, M.Ed. Executive Director, Texas State Board of Dental Examiners, 333 Guadalupe, Tower 3, Suite 800, Austin, Texas 78701, (512) 475-1660. To be considered, all written comments must be received by the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners no later than 30 days from the date that this amended section is published in the Texas Register .

The section is proposed under Texas Government Code §2001.021 et seq., Texas Civil Statutes; the Occupations Code §254.001, which provides the Board with the authority to adopt and enforce rules necessary for it to perform its duties.

The proposed amendment affects Title 3, Subtitle D of the Occupations Code and Title 22, Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 108.

§108.25.Dental Health Care Workers.

(a) All dental health care workers shall comply with the universal precautions, as recommended for dentistry by the Centers for Disease Control and required by THSC, §85.202, et seq, 1991, as amended, in the care, handling, and treatment of patients in the dental office or other setting where dental procedures of any type may be performed.

(b) All dental health care workers who have exudative lesions or weeping dermatitis shall refrain from contact with equipment, devices, and appliances that may be used for or during patient care, where such contact holds potential for blood or body fluid contamination, and shall refrain from all patient care and contact until condition(s) resolves unless barrier techniques would prevent patient contact with the dental health care worker's blood or body fluid.

(c) A dental health care worker(s) who knows he/she is infected with HIV or HBV and who knows he/she is HbeAg positive shall report his/her health status to an expert review panel, pursuant to provisions of THSC, §85.204, et seq, 1991, as amended.

(d) A dental health care worker who is infected with HIV or HBV and is HbeAg positive shall notify a prospective patient of the dental health care worker's seropositive status and obtain the patient's consent before the patient undergoes an exposure-prone procedure performed by the notifying dental health care worker.

(e) All dental care workers should receive a tuberculin skin test at least annually, or if it is discovered they have been exposed. The Board encourages compliance with the guidelines for tuberculosis testing and control recommended by the Centers For Disease Control and the Texas Department of Health.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on April 21, 2004.

TRD-200402654

Bobby D. Schmidt, M.Ed.

Executive Director

State Board of Dental Examiners

Earliest possible date of adoption: June 6, 2004

For further information, please call: (512) 475-0972


Chapter 114. EXTENSION OF DUTIES OF AUXILIARY PERSONNEL--DENTAL ASSISTANTS

22 TAC §114.11

The Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (Board) proposes new §114.11, concerning exemption from dental assistant registration. The new section is proposed to clarify the enactment of certain requirements imposed by Senate Bill 263, §25, 78th Legislature, requiring that dental assistants that make x-rays be registered to do so.

Specifically, the proposed language would exempt from the registration requirement individuals who are only performing radiological procedures for training or educational purposes, under proper supervision. The exemption under the proposed section for an individual performing radiological procedures as part of on-the-job training is limited to 180 days in duration. This allowance is consistent with that allowed in the current dental assistant registration rules.

Mr. Bobby D. Schmidt, Executive Director, Texas State Board of Dental Examiners has determined that for each year of the first five-year period the section is in effect, there will be no fiscal implications for local or state government as a result of enforcing or administering the section.

Mr. Bobby D. Schmidt, Executive Director, Texas State Board of Dental Examiners has determined that for each year of the first five-year period the section is in effect, there is little to no public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing or administering the section.

The impact on large, small or micro-businesses will be significant. The measure will allow a substantial time period for new or currently non-certified dental assistants to receive on-the-job training prior to taking the examinations required to receive a certificate of registration, improving the chances of examination success. The extra time will also allow potential registrants and their employers sufficient time to plan for any work time to be lost to take the examinations, and will prevent employers from being immediately without assistance in taking radiographs.

There is no anticipated economic cost to persons as a result of enforcing or administering the section.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Bobby D. Schmidt, M.Ed. Executive Director, Texas State Board of Dental Examiners, 333 Guadalupe, Tower 3, Suite 800, Austin, Texas 78701, (512) 475-1660. To be considered, all written comments must be received by the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners no later than 30 days from the date that this amended section is published in the Texas Register .

The section is proposed under Texas Government Code §2001.021 et seq., Texas Civil Statutes; the Occupations Code §254.001, which provides the Board with the authority to adopt and enforce rules necessary for it to perform its duties, and Senate Bill 263, §25, 78th Legislature, requiring that dental assistants that make x-rays be registered to do so.

The proposed section affects Title 3, Subtitle D of the Occupations Code and Title 22, Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 101-125.

§114.11.Exemption.

(a) A dental assistant will not be considered to be positioning, exposing, or otherwise making dental x-rays if the dental assistant only performs radiological procedures:

(1) In the course of training or for other educational purposes; and,

(2) Is at all times under the direct supervision of the employer dentist.

(b) A dental assistant performing radiological procedures under this section in the course of on-the-job training may only do so for a period of 180 days.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on April 21, 2004.

TRD-200402657

Bobby D. Schmidt, M.Ed.

Executive Director

State Board of Dental Examiners

Earliest possible date of adoption: June 6, 2004

For further information, please call: (512) 475-0972


Part 8. TEXAS APPRAISER LICENSING AND CERTIFICATION BOARD

Chapter 153. RULES RELATING TO PROVISIONS OF THE TEXAS APPRAISER LICENSING AND CERTIFICATION ACT

22 TAC §153.9

The Texas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board proposes amendments to §153.9, Applications. The proposed amendments are necessary to implement provisions of SB-1013, 78th Legislature, Regular Session, which amended the Texas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Act (Chapter 1103, Occupations Code). The proposed amendment adopts by reference forms used by a licensee to submit the $200 fee for an extension of time to complete continuing education, to submit the $50 fee to be placed on inactive status, and a $50 fee for returning to active status.

Wayne Thorburn, Commissioner, Texas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board, has determined that for the first five-year period the section is in effect there will be no fiscal implications for state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the rule.

Mr. Thorburn also has determined that for each year of the first five years the section is in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of these changes will be to permit licensees to submit forms enabling licensees to extend the time for completing continuing education, to become "inactive" and to regain active status again. There will be no effect on small businesses. The cost to individuals will be $200 with an Extension Request Form; $50 with a Request for Inactive Status Form (For Currently Certified or State Licenses Appraiser); $50 with a Request for Inactive Status Form (For an Expired Licensee - Not for Provisional Licensee); and $50 with a Request for Active Status Form.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Wayne Thorburn, Commissioner, Texas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board, P.O. Box 12188, Austin, Texas 78711-2188.

The amendment is proposed under the Texas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Act, Subchapter D, Board Powers and Duties (Occupations Code, Chapter 1103), which provides the board with authority to adopt rules under Sec.1103.151 Rules Relating to Certification and Licenses.

No other code, article or statute is affected by this proposal.

§153.9.Applications.

(a) (No change.)

(b) The Texas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board adopts by reference the following forms approved by the board and published and available from the board, P.O. Box 12188, Austin, Texas 78711-2188:

(1) - (8) (No change.)

(9) Supplement to Application for Appraiser Certification or Licensing by Reciprocity; [ and ]

(10) Extension of Non-Resident Temporary Practice Registration ; [ . ]

(11) Extension Request Form (For Residential/General Certified and State Licensed Appraisers);

(12) Extension Request Form (For an Provisional Licensee);

(13) Request for Inactive Status Form (For Currently Certified or State Licensed Appraisers);

(14) Request for Inactive Status Form (For an Expired Licensee - Not for Provisional Licensee); and

(15) Request for Active Status Form.

(c) - (h) (No change.)

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on April 26, 2004.

TRD-200402759

Wayne Thorburn

Commissioner

Texas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board

Earliest possible date of adoption: June 6, 2004

For further information, please call: (512) 465-3950