21 NCAC 16C .0303         BOARD APPROVED EXAMINATIONS

(a)  All applicants for dental hygiene licensure shall achieve passing scores on the Board's sterilization and jurisprudence examinations. Reexamination shall be governed by Rule .0311 of this Section.

(b)  All applicants for dental hygiene licensure shall achieve passing scores on the examination administered by the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations and clinical examinations administered by Board approved testing agencies. The Board shall determine which testing agencies are approved based on the requirements set forth in Paragraphs (c) and (d) of this Rule.

(c)  To qualify as an approved testing agency, the test-development agency shall allow a representative of the Dental Board to serve on the agency's Board of Directors and Examination Review Committee for the limited purpose of allowing Dental Board input in the development and administration of the examination.

(d)  To qualify as an approved testing agency, the clinical examination administered by a testing agency shall:

(1)           include procedures performed on human subjects or an alternative method that simulates human subjects, including manikins, as part of the assessment of clinical competency;

(2)           include probing, supra- and subgingival scaling, and soft tissue management; and

(3)           provide the following:

(A)          anonymity between applicants and examination graders;

(B)          standardization and calibration of graders;

(C)          a mechanism for post exam analysis;

(D)          conjunctive scoring, which is scoring that requires applicants to earn a passing grade on all sections or areas tested and that does not allow weighted, averaged, or overall scoring to compensate for failures in individual subject areas;

(E)           a minimum passing score set by the testing agency for each subject area tested;

(F)           an annual review of the examination conducted by the testing agency;

(G)          a task analysis performed by the testing agency at least once every seven years that surveys dentists nationwide to determine the content of the examination;

(H)          a system of quality assurance to ensure uniform, consistent administration of the examination at each testing site; and

(I)            a system of quality assurance that does not permit a dental hygiene instructor to grade candidates at any institution at which the instructor is employed.

(e)  The Board shall accept examination scores for five years following the date of the examination. Individuals who apply for licensure more than five years after the examination date shall re-take the examination. Each applicant shall request the applicable entity to send the applicant's scores to the Board office.

(f)  The applicant shall comply with all requirements of the testing agency in applying for and taking the examination.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 90-224;

Eff. September 3, 1976;

Readopted Eff. September 26, 1977;

Amended Eff. September 1, 2014; June 1, 2009; June 1, 2006; May 1, 1989; March 1, 1988;

Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. January 9, 2018;

Amended Eff. December 1, 2022; September 1, 2020.