CHAPTER 557
H.P. 1258 - L.D. 1736
An Act To Authorize Licensure by Endorsement for Canadian Dentists and Dental Hygienists
Emergency preamble. Whereas, Acts of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, this measure will help address a serious problem of access to oral health care for residents of this State, by enabling dentists and dental hygienists licensed in Canada to be licensed to practice in Maine without relaxing or compromising professional standards of training, education or examination; and
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 32 MRSA §1085, as amended by PL 2003, c. 285, §2, is further amended to read:
The board is authorized, at its discretion, without the examination as provided, to issue a license to an applicant who furnishes proof, satisfactory to the board, that the applicant has been licensed to practice dentistry in another state or a Canadian province after full compliance with the requirements of its dental laws. If an applicant is licensed to practice dentistry in another state or a Canadian province, that applicant's professional education may not be less than is required in this State and the applicant must have been at least 3 years in actual practice in the state or Canadian province in which the license was granted. Applicants for licensure by endorsement who meet the requirements of this section must be interviewed in person by the board or members of the board, prior to being issued a license. Every license of this type issued by the board must state upon its face the grounds upon which it is issued and the applicant may be required to furnish proof upon affidavit. The fee for the license is determined by the board, but may not be more than $400.
Sec. 2. 32 MRSA §1099, as amended by PL 1995, c. 590, §2, is further amended to read:
The board may at its discretion, without examination, issue a license to an applicant to practice dental hygiene who furnishes proof satisfactory to the board that the dental hygienist has been duly licensed to practice in another state or a Canadian province after full compliance with the requirements of its dental laws, except that the professional education may not be less than is required in this State. The board may require letters of reference as to ability. Applicants for licensure by endorsement who meet the requirements of this section must be interviewed in person by the board or members of the board prior to being issued a license. Every license so given must state upon its face that it was granted on the basis of endorsement. The fee for that license must be determined by the board, but may not be more than $100.
Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this Act takes effect when approved.
Effective March 17, 2004.
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