OAR 818-021-0017: Application to Practice as a Specialist

(1) A dentist who wishes to practice as a specialist in Oregon, who does not have a current Oregon license, in addition to meeting the requirements set forth in ORS 679.060 and 679.065, shall submit to the Board satisfactory evidence of: (a) Having graduated from a school of dentistry accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association and active licensure as a general dentist in another state. Licensure as a general dentist must have been obtained as a result of the passage of any clinical Board examination administered by any state or regional testing agency; (b) Certification of having passed the dental examination administered by the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations or Canadian National Dental Examining Board Examination; and (c) Proof of satisfactory completion of a post-graduate specialty program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association. (d) Passing the Board’s jurisprudence examination. (e) Completion of a one-hour pain management course specific to Oregon provided by the Pain Management Commission of the Oregon Health Authority (Effective July 1, 2022). (2) A dentist who graduated from a dental school located outside the United States or Canada who wishes to practice as a specialist in Oregon, who does not have a current Oregon license, in addition to meeting the requirements set forth in ORS 679.060 and 679.065, shall submit to the Board satisfactory evidence of: (a) Completion of a post-graduate specialty program of not less than two years at a dental school accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association, proficiency in the English language, and evidence of active licensure as a general dentist in another state obtained as a result of the passage of any clinical Board examination administered by any state or regional testing agency; or (b) Completion of a post-graduate specialty program of not less than two years at a dental school accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association, proficiency in the English language and certification of having successfully passed the clinical examination administered by any state or regional testing agency within the five years immediately preceding application; and (c) Certification of having passed the dental examination administered by the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations or Canadian National Dental Examining Board Examination; and (d) Passing the Board’s jurisprudence examination; and (e) Completion of a one-hour pain management course specific to Oregon provided by the Pain Management Commission of the Oregon Health Authority (Effective July 1, 2022). (3) An applicant who meets the above requirements shall be issued a specialty license upon: (a) Passing a specialty examination approved by the Board within the five years immediately preceding application; or (b) Passing a specialty examination approved by the Board greater than five years prior to application; and (A) Having conducted licensed clinical practice in the applicant’s postdoctoral dental specialty in Oregon, other states or in the Armed Forces of the United States, the United States Public Health Service or the United States Department of Veterans Affairs for a minimum of 3,500 hours in the five years immediately preceding application. Licensed clinical practice could include hours devoted to teaching the applicant’s dental specialty by dentists employed by a dental education program in a CODA-accredited dental school, with verification from the dean or appropriate administration of the institution documenting the length and terms of employment, the applicant's duties and responsibilities, the actual hours involved in teaching clinical dentistry in the specialty applicant is applying for, and any adverse actions or restrictions; and; (B) Having completed 40 hours of continuing education in accordance with the Board's continuing education requirements contained in these rules within the two years immediately preceding application. (4) Any applicant who does not pass the first examination for a specialty license may apply for a second and third regularly scheduled specialty examination. If the applicant fails to pass the third examination for the practice of a recognized specialty, the applicant will not be permitted to retake the particular specialty examination until he/she has attended and successfully passed a remedial program prescribed by a dental school accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association and approved by the Board. (5) Licenses issued under this rule shall be limited to the practice of the specialty only.