Summary — SB 2217 (North Dakota)
Topic: Licensing and practice of dental hygienists and dentists; board of dental examiners; creation of volunteer licenses
Status
- Introduced: March 11, 2025
- Filed with Secretary of State: March 26, 2025
- Sponsor: Senator Cleary
- Bill would create new sections in chapters 43-20 and 43-28 of the North Dakota Century Code and amend numerous existing sections related to dental licensure and the Board of Dental Examiners.
Purpose and intent
- To (1) establish a statutory framework for “volunteer licenses” for dental professionals, and (2) revise and clarify licensing, registration, renewal, and practice definitions and procedures for dental hygienists, dental assistants, dentists, and related registrants under chapters 43‑20 and 43‑28.
Key provisions (highlights from available text)
- New volunteer‑license provisions: The bill creates and enacts new sections in chapter 43‑20 and chapter 43‑28 specifically addressing volunteer licenses (text of those new sections is not reproduced in the excerpt). The intent is to authorize limited licensure/credentials for volunteer practice settings; details on scope, eligibility, duration, supervision, or waivers would be set in those new sections and by rule.
- Definitions updated (43‑20‑01.1): Clarifies terminology used across chapters — e.g., “dental anesthesia assistant,” “dental assistant,” “dental hygienist,” “qualified dental assistant,” “qualified dental assistant limited radiology registrant,” and “registered dental assistant.” The limited radiology registrant term is explicitly defined to allow certain radiographic duties under dentist supervision.
- Dental hygienist licensure (43‑20‑01.2 and 43‑20‑01.3):
- Application requirements: Board application forms, verification under oath, recent autographed photo, and payment of board‑established fees.
- Qualification requirements: Graduation from an ADA Commission on Dental Accreditation‑accredited hygiene program; passage of a national exam (Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations); passage of a clinical competency exam from an approved regional testing service; and a written exam on state dental laws/rules (to be passed within one year of application).
- Licensure by credential review: Applicants licensed and actively practicing for at least three years in a substantially equivalent jurisdiction may be licensed after meeting fee, documentation, and state‑law written exam requirements.
- License renewal and late renewal rules (43‑20‑01.4):
- Dental hygienist licenses expire December 31 of odd‑numbered years.
- Renewal requires submission of application, board‑set renewal fee, and proof of required continuing education by that date.
- Late renewal windows:
- Within 60 days after expiration: renewal with late fee.
- Between 61 days and 1 year after expiration: renewal allowed with renewal fee, an amount equal to twice the late fee, and board‑requested documentation demonstrating retained competence.
- After 1 year: license cannot be renewed; applicant must reapply and meet licensure requirements.
- Board may extend deadlines for documented medical or other hardship and may audit renewals.
- Board authority on fees and rules: The bill repeatedly preserves the Board’s ability to set or modify fees and adopt rules governing scopes of practice, supervision, and credential requirements.
Who is affected
- Practitioners: dental hygienists, dental assistants (including registered and qualified assistants and limited radiology registrants), dental anesthesia assistants, and dentists practicing or seeking licensure in North Dakota.
- Board of Dental Examiners: additional rulemaking and administrative responsibilities to implement volunteer licenses, modified application, renewal, auditing, and fee provisions.
- Employers and volunteer organizations: potential new pathways to credential volunteers for short‑term or community dental services (scope and procedures to be defined in the enacted new sections and board rules).
Procedural/timeline notes
- The bill edits a wide set of statutory cross‑references (multiple sections in chapters 43‑20 and 43‑28), indicating a comprehensive modernization of dental licensure law; many specifics (especially the volunteer‑license mechanics) will be finalized by the text of the new sections and subsequent administrative rules.
- As of the provided document, the bill is filed with the Secretary of State (03/26/2025). Additional legislative action or rulemaking would be required to implement volunteer‑license details after enactment.
Limitations / items to watch
- The excerpt provided is partial and truncated; key operational details for the volunteer license (eligibility, duration, allowed settings/procedures, supervision requirements, fees, liability/insurance provisions, and reciprocity) are not shown and will determine practical impact.
- Implementation will depend on Board rulemaking authorized by the amended statutes.
