Washington
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Updated: 5/1/2018
Summary Dentist
Renewal Deadline: Birthday
Renewal Period: 1 Year
Required Hours: 21
State Mandated CE Courses: Current BLS Certification
Limits on Courses: 7 hours of self-study
Other: Teaching a course for the first time not to exceed 10 hrs, Volunteer hrs accepted at 7 hrs max
Summary RDH
Renewal Deadline: Birthday
Renewal Period: 21 Year
Required Hours: 15
State Mandated CE Courses: Current BLS Certification
Limits on Courses: 5 hours of self-study
Other: Teaching a course for the first time not to exceed 10 hrs, Volunteer hrs accepted at 7 hrs max
Washington Dental Quality Assurance Commission
Washington Administrative Code 246-817-440 and 246-815-140
Source Link Dentist
Source Link Hygienist
WAC 246-817-440
Dentist continuing education requirements.
(1) Purpose. The dental quality assurance commission (DQAC) has determined that the public health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the state will be served by requiring all dentists, licensed under chapter 18.32 RCW, to continue their professional development via continuing education after receiving such licenses.
(2) Effective date. The effective date for the continuing education requirement for dentists is July 1, 2001. The first reporting cycle for verifying completion of continuing education hours will begin with renewals due July 1, 2002, and each renewal date thereafter. Every licensed dentist must sign an affidavit attesting to the completion of the required number of hours as a part of their annual renewal requirement.
(3) Requirements. Licensed dentists must complete twenty-one clock hours of continuing education, each year, in conjunction with their annual renewal date. DQAC may randomly audit up to twenty-five percent of practitioners for compliance after the credential is renewed as allowed by chapter 246-12 WAC, Part 7.
(4) Acceptable continuing education - Qualification of courses for continuing education credit. DQAC will not authorize or approve specific continuing education courses. Continuing education course work must contribute to the professional knowledge and development of the practitioner, or enhance services provided to patients.
For the purposes of this chapter, acceptable continuing education means courses offered or authorized by industry recognized state, private, national and international organizations, agencies or institutions of higher learning. Examples of sponsors, or types of continuing education courses may include, but are not limited to:
(a) The American Dental Association, Academy of General Dentistry, National Dental Association, American Dental Hygienists' Association, National Dental Hygienists' Association, American Dental Association specialty organizations, including the constituent and component/branch societies.
(b) Basic first aid, CPR, BLS, ACLS, OSHA/WISHA, or emergency related training; such as courses offered or authorized by the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society; or any other organizations or agencies.
(c) Educational audio or videotapes, films, slides, internet, or independent reading, where an assessment tool is required upon completion are acceptable but may not exceed seven hours per year.
(d) Teaching a seminar or clinical course for the first time is acceptable but may not exceed ten hours per year.
(e) Nonclinical courses relating to dental practice organization and management, patient management, or methods of health delivery may not exceed seven hours per year. Estate planning, financial planning, investments, and personal health courses are not acceptable.
(f) Dental examination standardization and calibration workshops.
(g) Provision of clinical dental services in a formal volunteer capacity may be considered for continuing education credits when preceded by an educational/instructional training prior to provision of services. Continuing education credits in this area shall not exceed seven hours per renewal cycle.
(5) Refer to chapter 246-12 WAC, Part 7, administrative procedures and requirements for credentialed health care providers for further information regarding compliance with the continuing education requirements for health care providers.
WAC 246-815-140
Continuing education for dental hygienists.
(1) To renew a license a dental hygienist must:
(a) Complete fifteen clock hours of continuing education each year following the first license renewal;
(b) Maintain a current basic life support (BLS) card for health care providers; and
(c) Sign a declaration attesting to the completion of the required number of hours as part of the annual renewal requirement.
(2) The department will not authorize or approve specific continuing education courses. Continuing education course work must contribute to the professional knowledge and development of the dental hygienist or enhance services provided to patients.
For the purposes of this chapter, acceptable continuing education means courses offered or authorized by industry recognized local, state, private, national and international organizations, agencies or institutions of higher learning. Examples of sponsors or types of continuing education courses may include, but are not limited to:
(a) The Washington State Dental Association, American Dental Association, National Dental Association, Washington State Dental Hygienists' Association, American Dental Hygienists' Association, National Dental Hygienists' Association, including the constituent and component/branch societies;
(b) Basic life support (BLS), advanced cardiac life support (ACLS), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)/Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act (WISHA), or emergency related training such as courses offered or authorized by the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society; or any other organizations or agencies;
(c) Self-study through study clubs, books, research materials, or other publications. The required documentation for this activity is a summary of what was learned, not to exceed five hours per year;
(d) Distance learning. Distance learning includes, but is not limited to: Correspondence course, webinar, audio/video broadcasting, audio/video teleconferencing, computer aided instruction, e-learning/online-learning, or computer broadcasting/webcasting that includes an assessment tool upon completion;
(e) A licensee who serves as an educator or who lectures in continuing education programs or courses, that contribute to the professional knowledge of a licensed dental hygienist may accumulate hours for the content preparation of the program or course, not to exceed ten hours per year;
(f) Attendance at a continuing education program with a featured speaker(s);
(g) Courses relating to practice organization and management, medical/dental insurance courses, or retirement, not to exceed five hours per year;
(h) Dental hygiene examination standardization/calibration workshops and dental hygiene examination item writer workshops, not to exceed ten hours per year;
(i) Provision of clinical dental hygiene services in a documented volunteer capacity when preceded by educational/instructional training prior to provision of services, not to exceed five hours per year. Volunteering must be without compensation and under appropriate supervision;
(j) A licensee who serves as a public health official or employee, contractor for a state or local health agency, community prevention education expert, or works in a field that relates to prevention activities in public health dentistry, may accumulate hours for the content preparation of providing services, education, or training to the underserved, rural, and at risk populations, not to exceed five hours per year; and
(k) College courses.
(3) The department may randomly audit up to twenty-five percent of practitioners for compliance with the requirements in this section after the credential is renewed as allowed by chapter 246-12 WAC, Part 7.