Board hears exam and continuing-education statistics: law-and-ethics failure rate rose to 30%, CE audit failure ~40%

Board staff presented licensing, continuing-education audit and examination statistics at the July 19 meeting. The law-and-ethics exam failure rate rose from about 19 percent (2023–24) to approximately 30 percent (2024–25) in the board’s year-over-year report. Board staff said the increase can reflect multiple factors including examination versioning, candidate preparation and the timing of outreach and resources.

Staff told the board they have begun annually reporting law-and-ethics exam results to each dental hygiene educational program to assist program directors with targeted curriculum improvements; that information is sent to schools confidentially. Carmen Doan (faculty and public commenter) and others thanked staff for distributing those results. The board also said it is exploring a Spanish-language version of the law-and-ethics exam in coordination with the Department of Consumer Affairs Office of Professional Examination Services (OPES).

Continuing-education audits remain a concern: staff reported an overall CE audit failure rate of about 40 percent on the sampled audits. Staff explained the causes include licensees failing to respond to audit requests, insufficient units reported, or completing CE with providers that do not meet board requirements. When a licensee fails an audit and does not respond, staff place a hold on future renewals until the matter is resolved; enforcement or citation may follow depending on the findings.

Staff said they will publish a continuing-education information guide on the board website that will include laws/regulations, steps to verify approved providers, FAQs about audits and exemptions, and CE requirements for first-time renewals. Board members encouraged continued outreach to programs and students to reduce failure rates.

Ending: Staff will continue outreach to programs, post CE guidance, and monitor exam outcomes and audit compliance.