Licensure Updates
News about licensure will be posted here as it becomes available.
State Summaries
Alabama—Governor Bob Riley issued a proclamation authorizing the Board of Dental Examiners to grant temporary licenses to Louisiana and Mississippi dentists displaced by Hurricane Katrina. Louisiana and Mississippi dental boards will be permitted to verbally verify information when this is the only practical method for providing verification.
Arkansas—Licensure by credentials will be expedited and the $2,500 fee will be reduced or waived. Applicants need to explain on the form that they have been displaced due to Hurricane Katrina. Form is available at http://www.asbde.org/licensure.html  .
Arizona—The Governor's Office is asking the professional licensing boards and agencies to be flexible in processing applications for licensure and to honor, where feasible, the licensing determinations of the states of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. For more information, please call the Arizona State Board of Dental Examiners at 602-242-1492.
Colorado—Colorado will be working with the states of Louisiana and Mississippi to facilitate the regular licensing process by:
- Waving the application fee
- Having dentists sign an affidavit regarding disciplinary status
- Having dentists submit appropriate document that they are able to submit in accordance with the practice law
The DORA will work with them on documentation that they don’t have, due to Katrina Dentists desiring to relocate to and work in Colorado can find this information on the DORA Web site or by calling 303-894-5940 for assistance.
DC—The District of Columbia has implemented procedures to assist those health licensing professionals displaced by Hurricane Katrina. All dentists and dental hygienists from one of the three affected states (LA, MS, and AL). For more information, contact the Health Professional Licensing Administration, Department of Health at 202-724-8687 or carlam.williams@dc.gov
Georgia—The Georgia Board of Dentistry has issued a licensure policy for dentists and dental hygienists displaced by Hurricane Katrina. Questions about this policy can be directed to the Board of Dentistry at 478-207-1680 or visit www.sos.state.ga.us/plb/dentistry to view and print application forms.
Illinois—Illinois recently created a temporary dentistry or dental hygiene license for applicants who are applying due to a natural disaster or catastrophic event. A temporary license provision was proposed to accommodate dentists and hygienists who may be displaced (as in the case of hurricane Katrina) by a natural disaster. Such applicants must apply and be reviewed by the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation. (Updated 09/12/06)
Indiana—Indiana’s Governor issued a proclamation conferring upon agency heads the necessary authority to do such things as create emergency provisional licensure accommodations. We received word from a director with in the Public Licensing Authority promising to look into this.
Iowa—The Board will accommodate displaced dentists through its regular permanent licensure process. In addition, the University of Iowa has looked into the possibility of accommodating displaced faculty and/or residents, and the Board is ready to provide the necessary authorization for that as well. The Board is also willing to work with dentists on a case by case basis if there is a problem providing other types of documentation needed for licensure.
Kentucky—The Board has a streamlined procedure for applicants to receive licensure who were affected by Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. For more information contact Lisa Turner at 502-429-7280 or LisaA.Turner@ky.gov.
Louisiana—For licensure verification contact the Louisiana State Board of Dentistry, which is currently open a each business day, from 10am to 2pm. The phone number is 504-568-8574.
Maine—The Governor of the State of Maine issued an Executive Order for all licensing boards, commissions, and agencies to formulate processes to allow persons displaced by Hurricane Katrina to practice their professions in Maine. For more information, please contact the Maine Board of Dental Examiners at 207-287-3333.
Michigan—The State of Michigan is willing to grant temporary licensure to dentists from Louisiana and Mississippi.
Mississippi—The Mississippi State Board of Dental Examiners does not have provisions to grant emergency or temporary licensure. The Board is however expediting its licensure by credentials process to assist displaced Louisiana dentists and dental hygienists in finding positions in Mississippi. Since records are not available at this time from the Louisiana State Board of Dentistry, the Board is telephonically verifying licensure status with the Louisiana Board's executive director.
- The Board will still require all documentation to finalize the licensure process; however, it is granting applicants a longer period of time to provide the documentation.
- The Board is also defraying the payment of the initial licensure application fee up to one year from the date of licensure, and the board is extending the time to pay the annual renewal fee until 03/01/2006.
- Applicants will continue to be required to pass a jurisprudence exam and appear before the Board for a personal interview, licenses will be issued to qualifying applicants prior to these requirements being met, if necessary.
Missouri—The State Dental Board has expedited the credentialing of licensing for displaced dentists/hygienists. They can conduct this in approximately a two week timeframe. The dental board also realizes the issues surrounding appropriate documentation and will work to accept alternative documentation. For further information, contact the dental board at
573-751-0040 or dental@pr.mo.gov.
Nebraska—Nebraska recently enacted legislation which grants the dental board the authority to issue a dentist a temporary license for up to 3 months during any 12 month time period. For more information, call 402-471-2118.
New York—See www.op.nysed.gov for information about opportunities for dentists from Louisiana and Mississippi. Contact the Board of Dentistry at 518-474-3817, x550 if you have questions.
North Dakota—The North Dakota State Board of Dental Examiners has provisions to grant temporary licensure and has expedited the credentialing of licensing for displaced dentists/hygienists. The Board is also defraying the payment of the initial licensure application fee up to one year from the date of licensure. For more information, contact the Board of Dental Examiners at 701-258-8600. (Posted 10/13/05)
Ohio—The Ohio State Dental Board has put in place an emergency procedure for licensure of dentists from Louisiana and Mississippi who have been displaced by Hurricane Katrina. http://www.dental.ohio.gov/katrinamemo.pdf Please call 614-466-2580 for more information.
Texas—The state board has implemented emergency provisional licensure for dentists from LA and MS. Information is available on the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners website at http://www.tsbde.state.tx.us/katrina.htm .
Virginia—The Governor signed Executive Order 97 which allows a 'fast track' licensing process for those in the Katrina affected areas. Such dentists can be issued a ‘temporary’ license which would be good for up to a year (which allows ample time to complete regular licensing process) in the Commonwealth. The Board of Dentistry will also have the authority to defer fees associated with that process. (Updated 10/13/05)
A summary of continuing education requirements that dentists and auxiliaries must complete for re-licensure is available in the following documents:
- Download the Continuing Education Requirements of State Dental Boards
for Dentists and Auxiliaries | | PDF file/22k
- Licensure Recognition—Dentists I | PDF file/86k
Return to Top
To view a PDF file, you need Adobe Reader. Click on the logo to download.
|
