(1) Every applicant for a dental therapy license must submit to the board proof that the applicant successfully completed a clinical examination for dental therapy that:
(a) Is designed to test the applicant's clinical dental therapy skills and knowledge;
(b) Includes dental therapy restorative and dental hygiene clinical skill evaluation; and
(c) Is administered by a regional testing agency composed of at least four states or an examination of another state.
(2) All examination results required by the board must be filed with the board and kept for reference for a period of not less than two years. If an applicant successfully completes the examination and is otherwise qualified, the board shall grant a license to the applicant and shall issue a license certificate signed by the officers of the board.
(3) For the purpose of completing the examination requirement in subsection (1) of this section, if the applicant has previously successfully completed a clinical examination for dental hygiene administered by a testing agency accepted by the board, the applicant may be exempted from that part of the dental therapy examination.
Source: L. 2022: Entire section added, (SB 22-219), ch. 381, p. 2707, � 4, effective January 1, 2023.
Cross references: For the legislative declaration in SB 22-219, see section 1 of chapter 381, Session Laws of Colorado 2022.
12-220-408. Renewal of dental and dental hygienist licenses - fees - questionnaire. (1) Licenses issued pursuant to this article 220 are subject to the renewal, expiration, reinstatement, and delinquency fee provisions specified in section 12-20-202 (1) and (2). Any person whose license expires is subject to the penalties provided in this article 220 or section 12-20-202 (1).
(2) (a) On and after July 1, 2023, the board shall require a dentist who applies for license renewal to complete a questionnaire that requires the dentist to indicate whether the dentist has complied with section 12-30-111 and is in compliance with section 12-280-403 (2)(a). The failure of an applicant to answer the questionnaire accurately constitutes grounds for discipline pursuant to section 12-220-201.
(b) The board shall include on the questionnaire a question regarding whether:
(I) The dentist has complied with section 12-30-111; and
(II) The dentist is in compliance with section 12-280-403 (2)(a) and is aware of the penalties for failing to comply with that section.
(c) On and after July 1, 2024, as a condition of renewal of a license, each dentist shall attest that the dentist is in compliance with section 12-280-403 (2)(a) and that the dentist is aware of the penalties for noncompliance with that section.
Source: L. 2020: Entire article amended with relocations, (HB 20-1056), ch. 64, p. 249, � 1, effective September 14. L. 2022: (2) amended, (HB 22-1115), ch. 397, p. 2824, � 2, effective August 10.
Editor's note: This section is similar to former � 12-220-119 as it existed prior to 2020.
12-220-409. Inactive dental, dental therapist, or dental hygienist license - rules. (1) Any person licensed to practice dentistry, dental therapy, or dental hygiene pursuant to this article 220 may apply to the board to be transferred to an inactive status. The licensee must submit an application in the form and manner designated by the board. The board may grant inactive status by issuing an inactive license or deny the application for any of the causes set forth in section 12-220-201.
(2) Any person applying for a license under this section must:
(a) Provide an affidavit to the board that the applicant, after a date certain, will not practice dentistry, dental therapy, or dental hygiene in this state unless the applicant is issued a license to practice dentistry, dental therapy, or dental hygiene pursuant to subsection (5) of this section;
(b) Pay the license fee as authorized pursuant to section 12-20-105; and
(c) Comply with any financial responsibility or professional liability insurance requirements established by the board pursuant to sections 12-220-307 and 13-64-301 (1)(a), as applicable.
(3) The inactive status must be plainly indicated on the face of any inactive license certificate issued under this section.
(4) The board may take disciplinary action pursuant to sections 12-220-202 to 12-220-206 against any person licensed under this section for any act committed while the person was licensed pursuant to this article 220.
(5) Any person licensed under this section who wishes to resume the practice of dentistry, dental therapy, or dental hygiene must file an application in the form and manner the board designates, pay the license fee promulgated by the board pursuant to section 12-20-105, and meet the financial responsibility requirements or the professional liability insurance requirements established by the board pursuant to sections 12-220-307 and 13-64-301 (1)(a), as applicable. The board may approve the application and issue a license to practice dentistry, dental therapy, or dental hygiene or may deny the application for any of the causes set forth in section 12-220-201.
(6) The board shall adopt rules that allow expedited, temporary licensure during a disaster emergency declared pursuant to section 24-33.5-704 (4) for a dentist, dental hygienist, or dental therapist who has maintained a license in good standing with no past disciplinary history prior to obtaining an inactive license. The rules must address:
(a) Supervision or practice monitoring requirements;
(b) Liability coverage requirements;
(c) Other conditions of or limitation on practice; and
(d) Temporary license terms, administrative approvals, timelines, and renewal options.
Source: L. 2020: Entire article amended with relocations, (HB 20-1056), ch. 64, p. 249, � 1, effective September 14. L. 2022: (1), (2)(a), and (5) amended, (SB 22-219), ch. 381, p. 2720, � 22, effective January 1, 2023. L. 2025: (6) added, (SB 25-194), ch. 171, p. 702, � 16, effective August 6.
Editor's note: This section is similar to former � 12-220-120 as it existed prior to 2020.
Cross references: For the legislative declaration in SB 22-219, see section 1 of chapter 381, Session Laws of Colorado 2022.
12-220-410. Retired dental, dental therapist, and dental hygienist licenses - rules. (1) Any person licensed to practice dentistry, dental therapy, or dental hygiene pursuant to this article 220 may apply to the board for retired licensure status. The application must be in the form and manner designated by the board. The board may grant retired licensure status by issuing a retired license, or it may deny the application if the licensee has been disciplined for any of the causes set forth in section 12-220-201.
(2) Any person applying for a license under this section must:
(a) Provide an affidavit to the board stating that, after a date certain, the applicant will not practice dentistry, dental therapy, or dental hygiene; will no longer earn income as a dentist, dental therapist, or dental hygiene administrator or consultant; and will not perform any activity that constitutes practicing dentistry, dental therapy, or dental hygiene pursuant to sections 12-220-305, 12-220-501, 12-220-503, 12-220-504, and 12-220-508 unless the applicant is issued a license to practice dentistry, dental therapy, or dental hygiene pursuant to subsection (5) of this section; and
(b) Pay the license fee authorized by section 12-20-105, which fee must not exceed fifty dollars.
(3) The retired status of a licensee must be plainly indicated on the face of any retired license certificate issued under this section.
(4) The board may take disciplinary action pursuant to sections 12-220-202 to 12-220-206 against any person licensed under this section for an act committed while the person was licensed pursuant to this article 220.
(5) Any person licensed under this section may apply to the board for a return to active licensure status by filing an application in the form and manner the board designates, paying the appropriate license fee established pursuant to section 12-20-105, and meeting the financial responsibility requirements or the professional liability insurance requirements established by the board pursuant to sections 12-220-307 and 13-64-301 (1)(a), as applicable. The board may approve the application and issue a license to practice dentistry, dental therapy, or dental hygiene or may deny the application if the licensee has been disciplined for any of the causes set forth in section 12-220-201.
(6) A dentist, dental therapist, or dental hygienist on retired status may provide dental, dental therapy, or dental hygiene services on a voluntary basis to people who are indigent if the retired dentist, dental therapist, or dental hygienist provides the services on a limited basis and does not charge a fee for the services. A retired dentist, dental therapist, or dental hygienist providing voluntary care pursuant to this subsection (6) is immune from any liability resulting from the voluntary care the retired dentist, dental therapist, or dental hygienist provided.
(7) The board shall adopt rules that allow expedited, temporary licensure during a disaster emergency declared pursuant to section 24-33.5-704 (4) for a dentist, dental hygienist, or dental therapist who has maintained a license in good standing with no past disciplinary history prior to obtaining an inactive license. The rules must address:
(a) Supervision or practice monitoring requirements;
(b) Liability coverage requirements;
(c) Other conditions of or limitation on practice; and
(d) Temporary license terms, administrative approvals, timelines, and renewal options.
Source: L. 2020: Entire article amended with relocations, (HB 20-1056), ch. 64, p. 250, � 1, effective September 14. L. 2022: (1), (2)(a), (5), and (6) amended, (SB 22-219), ch. 381, p. 2720, � 23, effective January 1, 2023. L. 2025: (7) added, (SB 25-194), ch. 171, p. 702, � 17, effective August 6.
Editor's note: This section is similar to former � 12-220-121 as it existed prior to 2020.
Cross references: For the legislative declaration in SB 22-219, see section 1 of chapter 381, Session Laws of Colorado 2022.
12-220-411. Anesthesia and sedation permits - dentists, dental therapists, and dental hygienists - training and experience requirements - office inspections - rules. (1) (a) Upon application in a form and manner determined by the board and payment of the applicable fees established by the board, the board may issue an anesthesia or sedation permit to a licensed dentist or a local anesthesia permit to a dental therapist or dental hygienist in accordance with this section.
(b) The board shall design and implement an expedited application and permitting process for a dentist who has completed an accredited residency program in general anesthesia or a postdoctoral training program that provides comprehensive and appropriate training necessary to administer and manage moderate sedation or deep sedation and general anesthesia according to industry-accepted standards.
(2) (a) A licensed dentist who obtains an anesthesia or sedation permit pursuant to this section may administer minimal sedation, moderate sedation, or deep sedation/general anesthesia.
(b) A licensed dentist who administers minimal sedation, moderate sedation, or deep sedation/general anesthesia to pediatric dental patients shall obtain a permit designated by the board to allow for administration to pediatric dental patients.
(c) An anesthesia or sedation permit issued to a licensed dentist is valid for five years, unless the dentist's license expires. As a condition of renewing an anesthesia or sedation permit, a licensed dentist must attest, when applying to renew the permit, that the licensed dentist completed seventeen continuing education credits specific to anesthesia or sedation administration during the five-year permit period. Continuing education credits obtained as required by this section may be used to satisfy the continuing education requirements in section 12-220-308.
(3) (a) A licensed dental therapist or dental hygienist who obtains a local anesthesia permit pursuant to this section may administer local anesthesia.
(b) A local anesthesia permit issued to a dental therapist or dental hygienist is valid as long as the dental therapist's or dental hygienist's license is active.
(4) (a) The board shall establish, by rule, minimum training, experience, and equipment requirements for the administration of local anesthesia, analgesia including nitrous oxide/oxygen inhalation, and medication prescribed or administered for the relief of anxiety or apprehension, minimal sedation, moderate sedation, deep sedation, or general anesthesia, including procedures that may be used by and minimum training requirements for dentists, dental therapists, dental hygienists, and dental assistants.
(b) In order to fulfill the training and experience requirements for an anesthesia or sedation permit, an applicant must be the primary provider and directly provide care for all required case work.
(c) The rules relating to anesthesia and sedation are not intended to:
(I) Permit administration of local anesthesia, analgesia, medication prescribed or administered for the relief of anxiety or apprehension, minimal sedation, moderate sedation, deep sedation, or general anesthesia by dental assistants; except that this section does not prohibit a dental assistant from monitoring and administering nitrous oxide/oxygen inhalation performed under the supervision of a licensed dentist pursuant to section 12-220-305 (1)(q) and board rules; or
(II) Reduce competition or restrain trade with respect to the dentistry needs of the public.
(5) The board shall establish, by rule, criteria and procedures for an office inspection program to be completed upon application and renewal of anesthesia or sedation permits, which must include:
(a) Designation of qualified anesthesia inspectors who have more than five years of experience providing anesthesia services and hold an active anesthesia permit to provide either dental outpatient deep sedation/general anesthesia or moderate sedation. An anesthesia inspector who holds an active anesthesia permit to provide moderate sedation may only provide office anesthesia inspections for providers who request moderate sedation privileges for both initial and renewal permit applications. An anesthesia inspector who holds an active anesthesia permit to provide deep sedation/general anesthesia may provide office anesthesia inspections for any level of sedation for both initial and renewal permit applications. An anesthesia inspector shall complete an anesthesia inspector calibration program created and updated by the board once every five years. The anesthesia inspector recertification may be completed in conjunction with an anesthesia permit renewal.
(b) A requirement for each licensee that is inspected to bear the cost of inspection by allowing designated inspectors to charge a reasonable fee as established by the board;
(c) A requirement that an inspector notify the board in writing of the results of an inspection; and
(d) A requirement for reinspection of an office prior to the renewal of a moderate sedation or deep sedation/general anesthesia permit.
(6) For the purposes of this section, a dental therapist who performs a task pursuant to a written articulated plan that meets the requirements of section 12-220-508 (2) is considered to have performed the task with the prior knowledge and consent of the dentist.
Source: L. 2020: Entire article amended with relocations, (HB 20-1056), ch. 64, p. 251, � 1, effective September 14. L. 2022: (1), (3), and (4)(a) amended and (6) added, (SB 22-219), ch. 381, p. 2721, � 24, effective January 1, 2023. L. 2025: (1) and (5)(a) amended, (SB 25-194), ch. 171, p. 702, � 18, effective August 6.
Editor's note: This section is similar to former � 12-220-146 as it existed prior to 2020.
Cross references: For the legislative declaration in SB 22-219, see section 1 of chapter 381, Session Laws of Colorado 2022.