2023 Maryland Statutes › Health Occupations › Title 4 - Dentistry › Subtitle 3 - Licensing › Section 4-302 - Qualifications of Applicants

(a)    Except as otherwise provided in this title, to qualify for a license, an applicant shall be an individual who meets the requirements of this section.
(b)    The applicant shall be of good moral character.
(c)    To qualify for a license to practice dentistry, the applicant shall be at least 18 years old.
(d)    Unless waived by the Board under §§ 4–303 and 4–303.1 of this subtitle, and except as provided in § 4–306.1 of this subtitle, to qualify for a license to practice dentistry, the applicant shall hold a degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery, Doctor of Dental Medicine, or the equivalent, from a college or university that is:
(1)    Authorized by any state or any province of Canada to grant the degree; and
(2)    Recognized by the Board as requiring adequate preprofessional collegiate training and as maintaining an acceptable course of dental instruction.
(e)    To qualify for a license to practice dental hygiene, the applicant shall be a graduate of a school for dental hygienists that:
(1)    Requires at least 2 years of education in an institution of higher education;
(2)    Is accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation; and
(3)    Is approved by the Board.
(f)    (1)    Unless the examination requirement is waived under § 4–306 or § 4–310 of this subtitle, and except as provided in § 4–303.1 of this subtitle, to qualify for a general license to practice dentistry or a general license to practice dental hygiene, the applicant shall pass an examination given by the Board under this subtitle.
(2)    An examination is not required for a teacher’s license to practice dentistry, a limited license to practice dentistry, or a teacher’s license to practice dental hygiene.
(g)    In addition to the requirements of subsections (a), (b), (c), and (d) of this section, to qualify for a teacher’s license to practice dentistry, the applicant shall:
(1)    Be licensed to practice dentistry in any other state;
(2)    Have been active in the dental profession for at least 5 years;
(3)    Be a full–time or part–time faculty member at a college or university where the applicant teaches a subject required by the dental school of that college or university; and
(4)    If the applicant is engaged in a teaching area that is designated as a specialty by the National Commission on Recognition of Dental Specialties and Certifying Boards, meet the requirements established by the National Commission on Recognition of Dental Specialties and Certifying Boards for that specialty.
(h)    In addition to the requirements of subsections (a), (b), and (e) of this section, to qualify for a teacher’s license to practice dental hygiene, the applicant shall:
(1)    Be licensed to practice dental hygiene in any other state;
(2)    Have been active as a dental hygienist for at least 5 years before applying for the teacher’s license to practice dental hygiene; and
(3)    Be a full–time or part–time faculty member at a dental school where the applicant teaches a subject required by that school.
(i)    In addition to the requirements of subsections (a), (b), (c), and (d) of this section, to qualify for a retired volunteer dentist’s license to practice dentistry, the applicant shall:
(1)    Have had a general license to practice dentistry issued under this title within the last 2 years;
(2)    Complete the continuing education requirements that the Board establishes for a general license; and
(3)    Provide dental services as required under § 4–308(c) of this subtitle.
(j)    In addition to the requirements of subsections (a), (b), and (e) of this section, to qualify for a retired dental hygienist’s license to practice dental hygiene, the applicant shall:
(1)    Have had a general license to practice dental hygiene under this title within the last 2 years;
(2)    Complete the continuing education requirements that the Board establishes for a general license; and
(3)    Provide dental hygiene services as required under § 4–308(g) of this subtitle.
(k)    In addition to the requirements of subsections (a), (b), (c), and (d) of this section, to qualify for a volunteer dentist’s license to practice dentistry, the applicant shall:
(1)    Satisfy the requirements of § 4–306(b)(1) and (d)(2) of this subtitle;
(2)    Hold an active license to practice dentistry in another state or in the District of Columbia;
(3)    Complete the continuing education requirements that the Board establishes for a general license;
(4)    Provide dental services exclusively in the manner described in § 4–308(c) of this subtitle; and
(5)    Immediately upon ceasing to provide services exclusively in the manner described in § 4–308(c) of this subtitle, surrender the volunteer license to the Board.
(l)    In addition to the requirements of subsections (a), (b), (c), and (e) of this section, to qualify for a volunteer dental hygienist’s license to practice dental hygiene, an applicant shall:
(1)    Satisfy the requirements of § 4–306(b)(2) and (e)(2) of this subtitle;
(2)    Hold an active license to practice dental hygiene in another state or in the District of Columbia;
(3)    Complete the continuing education requirements that the Board establishes for a general license;
(4)    Provide dental hygiene services exclusively in the manner described in § 4–308(g) of this subtitle; and
(5)    Immediately upon ceasing to provide services exclusively in the manner described in § 4–308(g) of this subtitle, surrender the volunteer license to the Board.
(m)    To qualify for a limited license to practice dentistry, the applicant shall meet the requirements set forth in subsections (a), (b), (c), and (d) of this section.