What is the process for reactivating a dental hygienist license?

To reactivate a dental hygienist license in California, the established process involves several important steps that ensure the hygienist is current with their skills and knowledge. The requirement to complete 25 hours of continuing education (CE) is a critical aspect, as it demonstrates that the hygienist has engaged in ongoing professional development, which is essential in the rapidly evolving field of dental hygiene. In addition to fulfilling the CE requirements, submitting fingerprints is a standard procedure that ensures the hygienist has undergone a background check, thereby protecting patient safety and maintaining ethical standards in the practice of dental hygiene. Finally, the payment of the license fee is necessary for the processing of the reactivation application, allowing the hygienist to officially return to practice.

This comprehensive approach is designed to uphold the integrity of the profession and is more rigorous than options that may propose lesser CE hours or omit fingerprinting requirements, which are crucial for evaluating the hygienist’s fitness to practice.