CHAPTER 2. CONTINUING EDUCATION

IC 25-13-2
     Chapter 2. Continuing Education

IC 25-13-2-1
Application of chapter
    
Sec. 1. This chapter does not apply to the following:
        (1) A dental hygienist who has held an initial license for less than two (2) years.
        (2) A graduate student or a person in a resident program offered by an approved organization listed under section 2(15) of this chapter.
        (3) A person who is determined by the board as being unable to practice dental hygiene due to a disability.
As added by P.L.185-1991, SEC.5.

IC 25-13-2-2
"Approved organization" defined
    
Sec. 2. As used in this chapter, "approved organization" means the following:
        (1) United States Department of Education.
        (2) Council on Post-Secondary Education.
        (3) National Dental Association.
        (4) American Dental Association.
        (5) Academy of General Dentistry.
        (6) National Dental Hygiene Association.
        (7) American Dental Hygiene Association.
        (8) Council on Hospital Dental Services.
        (9) American Medical Association.
        (10) Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals.
        (11) Joint Commission on Healthcare Organizations.
        (12) Study clubs approved by the board.
        (13) Federal, state, and local government agencies.
        (14) International organizations approved by the American Dental Association.
        (15) A college or other teaching institution accredited by the United States Department of Education or the Council on Post-Secondary Education.
        (16) A national, state, district, or local organization that operates as an affiliated entity under the approval of an organization listed in subdivisions (1) through (14).
        (17) An internship or a residency program conducted in a hospital that has been approved by an organization listed in subdivisions (1) through (15).
        (18) Any other organization or individual approved by the board.
As added by P.L.185-1991, SEC.5.

IC 25-13-2-3

"Continuing education course" defined
    
Sec. 3. As used in this chapter, "continuing education course"

means an orderly process of instruction designed to directly enhance the practicing dental hygienist's knowledge and skill in providing relevant dental hygiene services that is approved by an approved organization.
As added by P.L.185-1991, SEC.5.

IC 25-13-2-4
"License period" defined
    
Sec. 4. As used in this chapter, "license period" means the two (2) year period beginning on March 2, 1992, and every two (2) years thereafter.
As added by P.L.185-1991, SEC.5.

IC 25-13-2-5
"Study club" defined
    
Sec. 5. As used in this chapter, "study club" means a group of at least five (5) dental hygienists who do the following:
        (1) Organize for the purpose of scientific study.
        (2) Operate under the direction of elected officers.
        (3) Maintain written bylaws.
        (4) Conduct regular meetings.
        (5) Maintain written attendance records of all meetings.
As added by P.L.185-1991, SEC.5.

IC 25-13-2-6
Course credit hour requirements
    
Sec. 6. (a) A dental hygienist must complete at least fourteen (14) credit hours in continuing education courses each license period.
    (b) Credit hours may be applied under this section only toward the credit hour requirement for the license period during which the credit hours are earned.
    (c) During a license period, a dental hygienist may not earn more than five (5) credit hours toward the requirements under this section for continuing education courses that relate specifically to the area of practice management.
    (d) Not more than two (2) credit hours for certification programs in basic life support required under IC 25-13-1-8(c)(3) may be applied toward the credit hour requirement during each license period.
As added by P.L.185-1991, SEC.5. Amended by P.L.179-1996, SEC.2; P.L.105-2008, SEC.28.

IC 25-13-2-7
Award of credit hours
    
Sec. 7. Credit hours under section 6 of this chapter must be awarded as follows:
        (1) A course presented by a college under a regular curriculum is awarded one (1) credit hour for each lecture hour attended.
        (2) A course not listed in subdivision (1) is awarded one (1) credit hour for each lecture hour and two (2) credit hours for

each participation hour of the course.
        (3) A speech, lecture, or other presentation by a dental hygienist is awarded two (2) credit hours if the following conditions are met:
            (A) The presentation concerns a subject that would be suitable for a continuing education course.
            (B) The subject of the presentation is eligible for credit only one (1) time, regardless of the number of times the subject is presented.
            (C) The dental hygienist maintains a record of the time, place, and date of the presentation.
            (D) The presentation is sponsored by an approved organization.
            (E) Not more than four (4) credit hours are awarded to the dental hygienist under this subdivision during any license period.
        (4) Attendance at a state, regional, or national meeting sponsored by an approved organization is awarded one (1) credit hour.
        (5) Attendance at a meeting of a study club that uses films, audio cassettes, live presentations, or written materials sponsored by the American Dental Hygienist Association is awarded one (1) credit hour. However, a dental hygienist may not receive credit under this subdivision for more than four (4) credit hours during a license period.
        (6) Attendance at a meeting of a study club featuring a guest speaker whose presentation concerns a subject suitable for a continuing education course is awarded one (1) credit hour for each hour attended.
        (7) A home study course that is presented by an approved organization and meets the requirements under this subdivision is awarded the same number of credit hours given to courses provided by a college. If the approved organization does not assess credit hours to a course under this subdivision, the course is awarded one (1) credit hour for each hour of study material. Subject matter of the course may be presented by written, audio, or video materials.
As added by P.L.185-1991, SEC.5. Amended by P.L.119-1992, SEC.1.

IC 25-13-2-8
Repealed
    
(Repealed by P.L.157-2006, SEC.76.)

IC 25-13-2-9
Compliance
    
Sec. 9. The board and the dental hygienist shall comply with the requirements under IC 25-1-4 concerning continuing education.
As added by P.L.185-1991, SEC.5. Amended by P.L.269-2001, SEC.8; P.L.157-2006, SEC.56.
IC 25-13-2-10
Board supervision of course offerings; rules
    
Sec. 10. (a) A member of the board may attend or monitor a continuing education course.
    (b) An approved organization must provide the board with course information or materials requested by the board.
    (c) If the board determines that an approved organization does not meet the requirements of this chapter, the board shall do the following:
        (1) Provide written notification to the organization of the noncompliance specifying the items of noncompliance and the conditions of reinstatement.
        (2) Deny credit hours awarded by the organization from the time that the organization receives a notice until the date of reinstatement.
        (3) Make reasonable efforts to notify dental hygienists of the organization's noncompliance status.
    (d) The board shall adopt rules under IC 4-22-2 to implement this chapter.
As added by P.L.185-1991, SEC.5.

IC 25-13-2-11
Repealed
    
(Repealed by P.L.157-2006, SEC.76.)

IC 25-13-2-12
Repealed
    
(Repealed by P.L.157-2006, SEC.76.)

IC 25-13-2-13
Repealed
    
(Repealed by P.L.157-2006, SEC.76.)

IC 25-13-2-14
Locations of course offerings
    
Sec. 14. Continuing education courses must be made available in all geographical regions of Indiana.
As added by P.L.185-1991, SEC.5.