Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0460-02-.03 - LIMITED AND EDUCATIONAL LIMITED LICENSURE PROCESS

Any dentist who has completed the requirements set forth in this rule may be issued a limited license for the practice of dentistry in American Dental Association accredited institutions, or dental education programs, or in federally designated health professional shortage areas, or may be issued an educational limited license to practice dentistry under the auspices of a dental educational institution. The educational limited license limits the dentist's location and activity to teaching and practice in programs offered only through the educational institution. It does not authorize independent private practice in any location.

(1) The process for obtaining a limited or an educational limited license is as follows:

(a) An applicant shall obtain an application form from the Board Administrative Office, respond truthfully and completely to every question or request for information contained in the form and submit it along with all documentation and fees required by the form and this rule to the Board Administrative Office. It is the intent of this rule that all activities necessary to accomplish the filing of the required documentation be completed prior to filing a licensure application and that all documentation be filed simultaneously.

(b) An applicant shall submit a signed "passport" style photograph taken within the preceding twelve (12) months.

(c) An applicant must submit evidence of good moral character and professional competence. Such evidence shall include at least two (2) letters attesting to the applicant's character and ability from licensed dentists on the signator's letterhead.

(d) An applicant shall submit proof of United States or Canadian citizenship or evidence of being legally entitled to live and work in the United States. Such evidence may include copies of birth certificates, naturalization papers, or current visa status.

(e) An applicant shall submit the required fees as provided in Rule 0460-01-.02(1).

(f) An applicant shall submit evidence of current training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) which is defined as successful completion of a BLS for Healthcare Providers, or CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers, or an equivalent course, which provides training for healthcare professionals in CPR and the use of an AED by a Board-approved training organization. The course must be conducted in person and include a skills examination on a manikin with a certified instructor.

(g) An applicant shall indicate whether the applicant is physically capable of performing the procedures included in the practice of dentistry and if not, make explanation.

(h) An applicant shall disclose the circumstances surrounding any of the following:

1. Conviction of any criminal law violation of any country, state or municipality, except minor traffic violations.

2. The denial of licensure application by any other state or the discipline of licensure in any state.

3. Loss or restriction of hospital privileges.

4. Any other civil suit judgment or civil suit settlement in which the applicant was a party defendant including, without limitation, actions involving malpractice, breach of contract, antitrust activity or any other civil action remedy recognized under any country's or state's statutory, common, or case law.

5. Failure of any dental licensure examination.

(i) An applicant shall cause to be submitted to the Board's administrative office directly from the vendor identified in the Board's licensure application materials, the result of a criminal background check.

(j) An applicant shall submit or cause to be submitted the equivalent of a Tennessee Certificate of Endorsement from the licensing board(s) of every state in which the applicant has ever been licensed which indicates the applicant either holds a current active license and whether it is in good standing, or held a license which is currently inactive and whether it was in good standing at the time it became inactive.

(k) An applicant shall successfully complete the Tennessee Board of Dentistry Ethics and Jurisprudence examination.

(2) In addition to completing the process described in paragraph (1), an applicant for limited licensure:

(a) Shall cause a transcript from a dental school, college or university to be sent directly from the institution to the Board Administrative Office that shows the equivalent of the D.D.S. or the D.M.D. degree was conferred and carries the official seal of the institution; and

(b) Shall cause to be submitted, directly from Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. (www.ece.org) to the Board Administrative Office, a "Course-By-Course Evaluation Report" that indicates the applicant has successfully completed the equivalent of four (4) years of study in a dentistry program in the United States; and

(c) Shall cause to be submitted, directly from the educational institution to the Board Administrative Office, certification of successful completion of a graduate training program in a recognized specialty branch of dentistry from an advanced specialty program accredited by the American Dental Association; and

(d) Shall cause to be submitted, directly from the examination agency to the Board Administrative Office, certification of successful completion of the National Board examination; and

(e) Shall cause, if practice is to occur in American Dental Association accredited institutions or dental education programs, the Dean or Director of the dental educational institution at which the applicant is to be employed to submit upon application for licensure and renewal of licensure, on behalf of the applicant, a letter of recommendation for limited licensure and a copy of the contract employing the applicant as a faculty member at the institution; or

(f) Shall submit when applying for licensure and when applying for renewal of licensure, if practice is to be in a federally designated health professional shortage area, proof of employment as a dentist or proof of starting/maintaining a private dental practice; and

(g) If the applicant has ever taken any regional testing agency examination or any other Board-approved examination as provided in Rule 0460-02-.05, an application will not be approved unless and/or until a certification is submitted which indicates that the applicant achieved passing scores on all parts of the examination.

(3) In addition to completing the process described in paragraph (1), an applicant for educational limited licensure:

(a) Shall cause a transcript from a dental school, college or university to be sent, directly from the institution to the Board Administrative Office, that shows the degree was conferred and carries the official seal of the institution; and

(b) Shall cause the Dean or Director of the dental educational institution at which the applicant is to be employed to submit upon application for licensure and renewal of licensure, on behalf of the applicant, a letter of recommendation for educational limited licensure and a copy of the contract employing the applicant as a faculty member at the institution; and

(c) Shall possess an active license which is in good standing in at least one (1) other state; and

(d) If the applicant has ever taken any regional testing agency examination or any other Board-approved examination as provided in Rule 0460-02-.05, an application will not be approved unless and/or until a certification is submitted which indicates that the applicant achieved passing scores on all parts of the examination.

(4) When a limited or educational limited licensee is employed at an educational institution or program, the licensee shall cause the Dean or Director of the educational institution or program to immediately notify the Board in writing of the termination of the licensee's employment and the reasons therefore. Such notification terminates the licensee's authority to practice in Tennessee.

(5) When a limited licensee is no longer practicing dentistry in a federally designated health professional shortage area, the licensee shall immediately notify the Board in writing. Such notification terminates the licensee's authority to practice in Tennessee.

(6) Limited and educational limited licensees are subject to all rules governing renewal, retirement, reinstatement and reactivation as provided by Rules 0460-02-.08 and .09. These licenses are also subject to disciplinary action for the same causes and pursuant to the same procedures as active licenses. Under no circumstance shall a limited or educational limited license be renewed without payment of the required biennial renewal fee as stated in Rule 0460-01-.02, and completion of the annual continuing education requirement as stated in Rule 0460-01-.05(1).

(7) Application review and licensure decisions required by this rule shall be governed by Rule 0460-01-.04.

Notes

Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0460-02-.03

Original rule certified June 7, 1974. Repeal and new rule filed August 26, 1980; effective December 1, 1980. Amendment filed October 13, 1983; effective November 14, 1983. Amendment filed September 21, 1989; effective November 5, 1989. Amendment filed April 30, 1991; effective June 14, 1991. Repeal and new rule filed December 11, 1991; effective January 25, 1992. Amendment filed May 15, 1996; effective September 27, 1996. Amendment filed February 9, 2000; effective April 24, 2000. Amendment filed April 10, 2001; effective June 24, 2001. Amendment filed April 10, 2002; effective June 24, 2002. Amendment filed August 18, 2003; effective November 1, 2003. Amendment filed October 20, 2003; effective January 3, 2004. Amendment filed March 17, 2006; effective May 31, 2006. Amendment filed July 10, 2006; effective September 23, 2006. Amendment filed September 30, 2014; effective December 29, 2014. Amendments filed October 25, 2017; effective January 23, 2018. Amendments filed April 19, 2021; effective 7/18/2021.

Authority: T.C.A. §§ 4-3-1011, 4-5-202, 4-5-204, 63-5-105, 63-5-107, 63-5-110, 63-5-111, and 63-5-124.