Arizona § 32-1287 - Dental hygienist triennial licensure; continuing education; license reinstatement; notice of change of address; penalties; retired and disabled license status

§ 32-1287. Dental hygienist triennial licensure; continuing education; license reinstatement; notice of change of address; penalties; retired and disabled license status

A. Except as provided in section 32-4301, a license expires thirty days after the licensee's birth month every third year. On or before the last day of the licensee's birth month every third year, every licensed dental hygienist shall submit to the board a complete renewal application and pay a license renewal fee of not more than $325, established by a formal vote of the board.  At least once every three years, before establishing the fee, the board shall review the amount of the fee in a public meeting.  Any change in the amount of the fee shall be applied prospectively to a licensee at the time of licensure renewal.  The fee prescribed by this section does not apply to a retired hygienist or a hygienist with a disability.

B. A licensee shall include a written affidavit with the renewal application that affirms that the licensee complies with board rules relating to continuing education requirements.  A licensee is not required to complete the written affidavit if the licensee received an initial license within the year immediately preceding the expiration date of the license or the licensee is in disabled status.  If the licensee is not in compliance with board rules relating to continuing education, the board may grant an extension of time to complete these requirements if the licensee includes a written request for an extension with the renewal application instead of the written affidavit and the renewal application is received on or before the last day of the licensee's birth month of the expiration year. The board shall consider the extension request based on criteria prescribed by the board by rule. If the board denies an extension request, the license expires thirty days after the licensee's birth month of the expiration year.

C. A person applying for a license for the first time in this state shall pay a prorated fee for the period remaining until the licensee's next birth month. This fee shall not exceed one-third of the fee established pursuant to subsection A of this section. Subsequent registrations shall be conducted pursuant to this section.

D. An expired license may be reinstated by submitting a complete renewal application within the twenty-four-month period immediately following the expiration of the license with payment of the renewal fee and a $100 penalty.  Whenever issued, reinstatement is as of the date of application and entitles the applicant to licensure only for the remainder of the applicable three-year period.  If a person does not reinstate a license pursuant to this subsection, the person must reapply for licensure pursuant to this chapter.

E. A licensee shall notify the board in writing within ten days after the licensee changes the primary mailing address listed with the board.  The board shall impose a penalty of $50 if a licensee fails to notify the board of the change within that time. The board shall increase the penalty imposed to $100 if a licensee fails to notify it of the change within thirty days.

F. A licensee who is over sixty-five years of age and who is fully retired and a licensee who has a permanent disability may contribute services to a recognized charitable institution and still retain that classification for triennial registration purposes on payment of a reduced renewal fee as prescribed by the board by rule.