The dental hygiene board shall license as a registered dental hygienist in alternative practice a person who demonstrates satisfactory performance on an examination in California law and ethics required by the dental hygiene board and who completes an application form and pays all application fees required by the dental hygiene board and meets either of the following requirements:

(a) Holds a current California license as a registered dental hygienist and meets the following requirements:

(1) Has been engaged in the practice of dental hygiene, as defined in Section 1908, as a registered dental hygienist in any setting, including, but not limited to, educational settings and public health settings, for a minimum of 2,000 hours during the immediately preceding 36 months.

(2) Has successfully completed a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from a college or institution of higher education that is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education, and a minimum of 150 hours of additional educational requirements, as prescribed by the dental hygiene board by regulation, that are consistent with good dental and dental hygiene practice, including, but not necessarily limited to, dental hygiene technique and theory including gerontology and medical emergencies, and business administration and practice management.

(b) Has received a letter of acceptance into the employment utilization phase of the Health Workforce Pilot Project No. 155 established by the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development pursuant to Article 1 (commencing with Section 128125) of Chapter 3 of Part 3 of Division 107 of the Health and Safety Code.

(Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 456, Sec. 19. (SB 786) Effective January 1, 2020.)