(a) The board may, upon an applicant’s successful completion of the board examination, in its sole discretion, issue a probationary license to an applicant for licensure as a dentist or dental auxiliary. The board may require, as a term or condition of issuing the probationary license, the applicant to do any of the following, including, but not limited to:
(1) Successfully complete a professional competency examination.
(2) Submit to a medical or psychological evaluation.
(3) Submit to continuing medical or psychological treatment.
(4) Abstain from the use of alcohol or drugs.
(5) Submit to random fluid testing for alcohol or controlled substance abuse.
(6) Submit to continuing participation in a board approved rehabilitation program.
(7) Restrict the type or circumstances of practice.
(8) Submit to continuing education and coursework.
(9) Comply with requirements regarding notification to employer and changes of employment.
(10) Comply with probation monitoring.
(11) Comply with all laws and regulations governing the practice of dentistry.
(12) Limit practice to a supervised structured environment in which the licensee’s activities shall be supervised by another dentist.
(13) Submit to total or partial restrictions on drug prescribing privileges.
(b) The probation shall be for three years and the licensee may petition the board for early termination, or modification of a condition of, the probation in accordance with subdivision (b) of Section 1686.
(c) The proceeding under this section shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 11500) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, and the board shall have all the powers granted therein.
(d) The board shall adopt written guidelines on how to make probation assignments for licensees and shall ensure that probationary and evaluation reports are conducted consistently and regularly.
(Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 385, Sec. 9. (SB 540) Effective January 1, 2012.)
Last modified: October 25, 2018