21 NCAC 16R .0204         EXEMPTION FROM AND CREDIT FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION

(a)  Upon receipt of written evidence, the Board will grant exemptions from the mandatory continuing education requirements set out in Rules .0201 and .0206 of this Section as follows:

(1)           A dentist who practices not more than 250 clock hours in a calendar year shall be classified as a semi-retired Class I dentist, and shall:

(A)          be exempt from the requirement set out in Rule .0201(a) of this Section to complete 15 clock hours of continuing education each calendar year;

(B)          complete the course required in Rule .0201(b) of this Section if the dentist prescribes controlled substances; and

(C)          maintain an unexpired CPR certification.

(2)           A dentist who practices not more than 1,000 clock hours in a calendar year shall be classified as a semi-retired Class II dentist, and shall:

(A)          be exempt from one half of the total continuing education hours required in Rule .0201(a) of this Section;

(B)          complete the course required in Rule .0201(b) of this Section if the dentist prescribes controlled substances;

(C)          complete the continuing education requirement on substance abuse and mental health set out in Rule .0206 of this Section; and

(D)          maintain an unexpired CPR certification.

(3)           A retired dentist who does not practice any dentistry shall be exempt from all continuing education and CPR certification requirements.

(b)  If a dentist who has been exempted from continuing education requirements wishes to resume practicing for more hours than permitted by his or her classification under Paragraph (a) of this Rule, the Board shall require continuing education courses for the calendar year in which he or she increases practice hours in accordance with this Rule and Rules .0201 and .0206 of this Section when reclassifying the dentist. A dentist who has been classified as retired and wishes to resume practice shall satisfy the reinstatement requirements of 21 NCAC 16B .1101.

(c)  Dentists shall receive 10 hours credit per year for continuing education when engaged in any of the following:

(1)           service on a full-time basis on the faculty of an educational institution with involvement in education, training, or research in dental or dental hygiene programs; or

(2)           service on a full-time basis with a federal, state, or county government agency whose operation is related to dentistry. Verification of credit hours shall be maintained in the manner specified in Rule .0203 of this Section.

(d)  Dentists who do not work on a full-time basis but work at least 20 hours per week in an institution or entity described in Subparagraph (c)(1) or (2) of this Rule shall receive five hours credit per year for continuing education.

(e)  Dentists shall receive up to two hours of continuing education credits per year for providing dental services on a volunteer basis at any state, city, or county operated site. Credit will be given at ratio of 1:5, with one hour credit given for every five hours of volunteer work.

(f)  Eligible licensees as defined by 21 NCAC 16B .0901 shall be granted a waiver of their mandatory continuing education requirements.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 90-31.1; 90-38;

Eff. July 1, 2015;

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

Amended Eff. July 1, 2023; December 1, 2020.