Licensing committee advances remediation rule change, adopts rule cleanups and approves remediation programs and nonprofit employers
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Summary
The licensing committee adopted an amendment to clarify remediation sequencing for clinical licensure candidates, approved remediation programs for multiple applicants and registered nonprofit employers that may hire dentists.
The Texas State Board of Dental Examiners' licensing committee approved a staff-backed amendment to licensure rules that clarifies remediation sequencing for candidates who fail clinical exams, adopted several routine rule cleanups and approved remediation programs and nonprofit employer registrations.
Lede: The committee voted to adopt a proposed change to 22 TAC 101.2 (licensure by examination) clarifying that applicants who fail clinical portions must complete an approved remediation program and pass a clinical exam; the amendment adds flexibility so remediation may occur before or after an exam attempt provided both conditions are ultimately met and clarifies that remediation programs may be approved by board staff or the board.
Nut graf: The board's actions are intended to make the remediation and licensure process more consistent and avoid case-by-case delays. The committee also adopted language to reflect the merger of continuing-education categories (CREDITS/CERTA) and made several minor rule cleanups in Chapters 110 and 113 and amended rules governing dental record X-ray standards and specialty recognition.
Key rule changes and votes - 101.2 (Licensure by examination): Committee approved a staff-drafted amendment to allow remediation courses to be completed before or after an exam attempt so long as an approved remediation program and a passing exam are both satisfied before licensure. Committee amended the draft to specify remediation courses may be approved by the board "and/or staff." (Motion to adopt: Dr. Maldonado; second: Dr. Moorhead. Amendment proposed by Sarah Lam; vote on amendment and final motion recorded as unanimous.) - Chapter 110 and 113 readoption review: Committee approved the routine four-year review and directed staff to file notices of intent to review and consider readoption, amendment or repeal. (Motion carried unanimously.) - 108.8 (records of the dentist): Committee adopted a proposed change removing a prescriptive reference to ADA guidelines and instead requiring X-ray use be "in accordance with minimum standard of care." (Motion carried unanimously.) - 108.52 (names and responsibilities): Committee adopted an amendment clarifying dental specialties approved by the National Commission on Recognition of Dental Specialties and Certifying Boards. (Motion carried unanimously.)
Remediation approvals and candidate exceptions - The committee approved remediation programs for two applicants who failed a clinical component three times and may receive a staff letter to attempt the clinical exam again after successful remediation: candidate 2025-Q3-DDS-2 (Hudson Regional Hospital / CTOR Academy) and candidate 2025-Q3-DDS-3 (UT Health Houston School of Dentistry or University of Florida, applicant supplied both options). Motions to approve these remediation programs passed unanimously. - The committee denied an exception request from candidate 2025-Q3-DDS-1 who had completed 50 hours of remediation but not the required 80 hours and therefore did not meet the rule's remediation threshold. The committee voted to deny the exception request.
Education and credentialing items - The committee approved minor cleanups to continuing education rules to reflect the CERTA/CREDITS merger and endorsed staff proposals to keep existing providers and update course references. (Motion carried unanimously.) - The committee approved amendments to faculty license requirements to require a school-signed affidavit confirming ongoing employment for license maintenance.
Registrations - The committee approved two nonprofit organizations' applications to become corporations authorized to employ dentists: SA90 Dental (San Antonio-based nonprofit focused on pediatric access) and Centro de Salud Familiar (community health nonprofit). Motions to approve both nonprofits passed unanimously.
Why it matters: The remediation-rule clarification intends to reduce delays for candidates who passed an exam in another state or who unexpectedly seek Texas licensure after passing a clinical exam elsewhere. Revisions to staff-approval language aim to let staff efficiently vet routine remediation programs while preserving the board's right to review unusual requests.
Ending: The committee forwarded the adopted rule changes and administrative approvals to the full board; staff will implement the remediation-process clarifications and continue to handle routine remediation approvals while bringing complex cases to the committee as needed.
