# COMAR Title 10 — Maryland Department of Health

## Subtitle 44 — Board of Dental Examiners

### Chapter 11 — Inactive Licenses

**Authority:** Health Occupations Article, §4-310, Annotated Code of Maryland

**Administrative History:** Effective date: August 1, 1983 (10:15 Md. R. 1351)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .01 amended effective November 20, 1994 (21:23 Md. R. 1933)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .02 amended effective November 20, 1994 (21:23 Md. R. 1933)

**Administrative History:** Chapter, Fee for Inactive Status, repealed and new chapter, Inactive Licenses, adopted effective March 8, 1999 (26:5 Md. R. 392)

**Administrative History:** Chapter revised effective September 4, 2000 (27:17 Md. R. 1620)

**Administrative History:** Chapter revised effective June 21, 2004 (31:12 Md. R. 913)

#### Regulation .01 Definitions.

*COMAR 10.44.11.01*

A. In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated.

B. Terms Defined.

  (1) Active Practice.

    (a) “Active practice” with respect to dentistry means the practice of dentistry for at least 500 hours within the 36-month period preceding expiration of a license.

    (b) “Active practice” with respect to dental hygiene means the practice of dental hygiene for at least 150 hours within the 36-month period preceding expiration of a license.

  (2) “Approved school” means a school determined by the Commission on Dental Accreditation to have met minimum standards.

  (3) “Board” means the Board of Dental Examiners.

#### Regulation .02 Voluntary Change of License from Active to Inactive Status.

*COMAR 10.44.11.02*

After receipt of a renewal application from the Board and before expiration of the current license, a dentist or dental hygienist who holds a general license may inform the Board on the renewal application of the licensee's intent to change the status of the license from active to inactive.

#### Regulation .03 Terms and Conditions of an Inactive Status Certificate.

*COMAR 10.44.11.03*

A. A licensee assigned inactive status shall submit to the Board the inactive status:

  (1) Application form provided by the Board; and

  (2) Fee as specified in COMAR 10.44.20.

B. The Board shall issue an inactive status certificate to a licensee whose license is placed on inactive status.

C. An inactive status certificate expires on June 30 of the second year following the effective date of the certificate.

D. Before an inactive status certificate expires, the licensee may renew the certificate if the licensee:

  (1) Submits to the Board a renewal application on the form provided by the Board; and

  (2) Pays to the Board the inactive status application fee as specified in COMAR 10.44.20.

E. A licensee whose license is on inactive status may not practice in Maryland unless otherwise authorized by law.

F. The practice of dentistry or dental hygiene in Maryland by a licensee whose license is on inactive status constitutes the unauthorized practice of dentistry or dental hygiene unless the practice is otherwise authorized by law.

#### Regulation .04 Reactivating a Dental or Dental Hygiene Certificate on Inactive Status.

*COMAR 10.44.11.04*

A. A licensee whose license to practice dentistry or dental hygiene is on inactive status may apply for reactivation of that license.

B. A licensee who applies for reactivation of a dental or dental hygienist license shall submit to the Board:

  (1) A completed application form provided by the Board;

  (2) Notarized affidavits or other evidence satisfactory to the Board that the applicant has actively practiced within the 36 months immediately preceding the application date;

  (3) Satisfactory proof of good standing from all states in which the applicant is currently licensed;

  (4) Satisfactory evidence of completion, during the 2 years preceding application, of continuing education courses or programs equivalent in hours and type to those required of licensees by the Board; and

  (5) Satisfactory evidence of passage, within 3 months of the application date, of the Board's jurisprudence examination.

C. In addition to submitting an application as required under §B of this regulation, an applicant for reactivation of a license shall:

  (1) Be of good moral character;

  (2) Arrange for the National Practitioner's Data Bank to forward a report of the applicant's disciplinary activity to the Board; and

  (3) Pay to the Board the difference between the license renewal fee and the inactive status application fee as specified in COMAR 10.44.20.

D. If the applicant is unable to demonstrate active practice within the 36 months immediately preceding application for reactivation of a license, the applicant shall:

  (1) Pass the North East Regional Board examination; or

  (2) Have passed the North East Regional Board examination.