New Mexico Administrative Code
Title 16 - OCCUPATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSING
Chapter 5 - DENTISTRY (DENTISTS, DENTAL HYGIENISTS, ETC.)
Part 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 16.5.1.15 - GUIDELINES FOR APPROVED CONTINUING EDUCATION

Universal Citation: 16 NM Admin Code 16.5.1.15

Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 18, September 24, 2024

A. Continuing education is defined as dental related education that contributes to the existing knowledge base of a licensee or certificate holder, which would include but not limited to; treatment modalities, advances in science, patient health, safety, and management; practice and workplace management for the practice of dentistry, dental therapy, dental hygiene and dental assisting.

B. Credit hours:

(1) one hour of credit will be granted for every hour of contact instruction.

(2) eight hours shall be the maximum number of continuing education credits granted in a single day.

C. Approved providers and sponsors: The following providers are approved for delivering continuing education.

(1) local, state, regional, national, or international dental, dental hygiene, dental assisting or medical related professional associations or organizations; and affiliate organization using their approved CE program designations.

(2) institutions accredited by the United States department of education.

(3) Federal and State Governmental agencies such as military dental division or the Veterans Administration.

(4) hospitals and medical clinics.

(5) board approved study clubs as further defined in Subsection H of 16.5.1.15 NMAC.

D. Approved methods for acquiring continuing education:

(1) attendance at scientific meetings or sessions.

(2) live virtual webinars. (i.e., courses conducted live, in real-time with the ability to interact with the speaker.

(3) Self-study. A method of instruction that is self-paced such as those offered through magazines, articles, pre-recorded audio or video recordings which are viewed or listened to at a later date.
(a) a post instruction examination must be successfully completed for all self-study methods.

(b) a licensee is allowed a maximum of 30 hours in the category of self-study per triennial renewal period.

(4) Medical education courses that are accredited by the American council for continuing medical education (ACCME) shall be limited to eight hours per triennial period.

(5) Courses not sponsored by a recognized provider as indicated in Subsection C of 16.5.1.15 NMAC may be approved for credit by the secretary-treasurer or delegate of the board; the application for approval must include the course outline, date, location, hours, names and qualifications of presenters.

E. Basic life support (BLS) or cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). A licensee is eligible to receive hour for hour credit for course taken to acquire this certification.

(1) Certification must be acquired through a live hands-on course or through a hybrid method where demonstration of skills is still required.

(2) Certification acquired through a self-study only course, is not allowed.

F. Additional approved activities eligible for continuing education credit:

(1) presenting. An original presentation by a licensee is eligible to receive hour for hour credit for preparation and delivery of such presentation. A licensee shall be allowed a maximum of eight hours each triennial period. The licensee shall retain as proof of such presentation an outline, date, place and sponsor of the presentation.

(2) clinical examiners for regional boards. A licensee participating in the training and calibration sessions of a regional board examination shall be allowed a maximum of 24 hours each triennial period.

(3) volunteer for the board or committee. A non-board or non-committee licensee volunteering for the board of committee may receive up to 10 hours of continuing education for board approved activities; including serving as a hearing officer, investigator, mentor, or monitor.

(4) approved charitable events. A licensee participating in a board or dental hygiene committee approved charitable event shall be allowed a maximum of eight hours each triennial period.

(5) graduate or post-graduate. Courses taken by a licensee at institutions of higher education for the purpose of receiving a dental related degree, advanced degree or certificate are eligible for continuing education credit. A licensee shall be allowed 10 hours per semester credit hour, as assigned in the course catalogue of the educational institution.

(6) professional training programs. Such as those taken for acquiring expanded certifications or education. Examples include but not limited to, trainings for local anesthesia and expanded function dental auxiliary certification. When given by an approved provider as defined in Subsection C of 16.5.1.15 NMAC.

(7) academic Teaching. A licensee who instructs as a full, part, or adjunct faculty, at a dental related program is allowed a maximum of 5 continuing education hours per semester credit hour that is taught at an institution of higher education. Not to exceed a maximum of 10 credit hours per triannual renewal.

(8) jurisprudence exam. A licensee or certificate holder may take the board's open book jurisprudence examination, up to once a year, and be granted three hours of continuing education credit for successfully passing the exam with a score of seventy-five percent or above. There will be a twenty-five dollar ($25) administrative fee for the exam to cover the cost of handling.

G. Course limitations and courses not allowed.

(1) Courses that are primarily in relationship to maximizing income, billing, or marketing in the dental or dental hygiene practice shall be limited to eight hours per triennial period.

(2) Courses dealing largely with money management, personal finances or personal business matters, and courses in basic educational or cultural subjects that are not taught in direct relationship to dental care may not be used to fulfill continuing education requirements.

(3) CE received as part of declaratory decree or as a result of disciplinary order shall not count toward the total triennial continuing education hours needed by the licensee. or certificate holder.

H. Approved study clubs. The board may approve study clubs which meet the following criteria:

(1) Composed of not less than five licensees with elected officers, written bylaws, and regular meetings.

(2) Organized for the purpose of scientific study.

(3) The approved club must keep records of continuing education information or material presented the number of hours and the members in attendance; audio-visual recordings or similar media produced or distributed by approved providers may be used; guest speakers may also be used to present educational material.

I. Verification of course attendance. The following documents, or combination of documents, may be used to verify attendance in the required continuing education:

(1) course certificate with the course title, content, presenter, sponsor and hours;

(2) pamphlet of course with same information as requested on certificate along with proof of purchase;

(3) course attendance sheet submitted from the sponsor;

(4) course code or statement of attendance from presenter or sponsor of licensee attendance;

(5) for out of state courses and meetings when certificates or sign-in sheets are not available, the licensee may provide a copy of the registration form, with a copy of courses in printed form which were offered, identify the ones attended, along with information regarding travel and lodging accommodations for the meeting;

(6) licensee is responsible for maintaining records of all CEUs for one year following the renewal cycle.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. New Mexico may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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