§1097. Application; fee

An eligible person desiring to practice dental hygiene must make written application to the Board of Dental Examiners to take the examination. The application must be accompanied by a fee to be determined by the board not to exceed $100 $175. Applicants for licensure shall must pay a fee set by the board for the examination. The board may recognize a nationally or regionally administered examination for applicants to practice dental hygiene in the State.

Sec. 8. 32 MRSA §1098, 1st ¶, as amended by PL 1993, c. 600, Pt. A, §82, is further amended to read:

The board shall issue a license to practice as a dental hygienist in this State to an individual who has met the licensure requirements. The license must be exhibited publicly at the person's place of employment. The license authorizes practice as a dental hygienist in this State for the year in which it is issued until the expiration date that appears on the license. On or before January 1st of each odd-numbered year, the dental hygienist must pay to the board a license renewal fee of not more than $100 $175 to be determined by the board or 1/2 of the biennial licensure fee if the applicant applies in an even- numbered year. Dental hygienists who have not paid as provided must be reinstated upon payment of a fee of not more than $50 to be determined by the board if paid before February 1st of the year in which license renewal is due. Failure to be properly licensed by February 1st results in automatic suspension of a license to practice dental hygiene. Reinstatement may be made, if approved by the board, by payment to the secretary-treasurer of the board of a fee determined by the board of not more than $100 $175.

Sec. 9. 32 MRSA §1098-B, as amended by PL 1993, c. 600, Pt. A, §84, is further amended to read:

§1098-B. Continuing education

As a condition of renewal of a license to practice, a dental hygienist must submit evidence of successful completion of 20 30 hours of continuing education consisting of board-approved courses in the 2 years preceding the application for renewal. The board and the dental hygienist shall follow and are bound by the provisions of section 1084-A in the implementation of this section.