Section 1632.

(a) The board shall require each applicant to successfully complete the Part I and Part II written examinations of the National Board Dental Examination of the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations.

(b) The board shall require each applicant to successfully complete an examination in California law and ethics developed and administered by the board. The board shall provide a separate application for this examination. The board shall ensure that the law and ethics examination reflects current law and regulations, and ensure that the examinations are randomized. Applicants shall submit this application and required fee to the board in order to take this examination. In addition to the aforementioned application, the only other requirement for taking this examination shall be certification from the dean of the qualifying dental school attended by the applicant that the applicant has graduated, or will graduate, or is expected to graduate. Applicants who submit completed applications and certification from the dean at least 15 days prior to a scheduled examination shall be scheduled to take the examination. Successful results of the examination shall, as established by board regulation, remain valid for two years from the date that the applicant is notified of having passed the examination.

(c) Except as otherwise provided in Section 1632.5, the board shall require each applicant to have taken and received a passing score on one of the following:

(1) A portfolio examination of the applicant's competence to enter the practice of dentistry. This examination shall be conducted while the applicant is enrolled in a dental school program at a board-approved school located in California. This examination shall utilize uniform standards of clinical experiences and competencies, as approved by the board pursuant to Section 1632.1. The applicant shall pass a final assessment of the submitted portfolio at the end of his or her dental school program. Before any portfolio assessment may be submitted to the board, the applicant shall remit to the board a three hundred fifty dollar ($350) fee, to be deposited into the State Dentistry Fund, and a letter of good standing signed by the dean of his or her dental school or his or her delegate stating that the applicant has graduated or will graduate with no pending ethical issues.

(A) The portfolio examination shall not be conducted until the board adopts regulations to carry out this paragraph. The board shall post notice on its Internet Web site when these regulations have been adopted.

(B) The board shall also provide written notice to the Legislature and the Legislative Counsel when these regulations have been adopted.

(2) A clinical and written examination administered by the Western Regional Examining Board, which board shall determine the passing score for that examination.

(d) Notwithstanding subdivision (b) of Section 1628, the board is authorized to do either of the following:

(1) Approve an application for examination from, and to examine an applicant who is enrolled in, but has not yet graduated from, a reputable dental school approved by the board.

(2) Accept the results of an examination described in paragraph (2) of subdivision (c) submitted by an applicant who was enrolled in, but had not graduated from, a reputable dental school approved by the board at the time the examination was administered.

In either case, the board shall require the dean of that school or his or her delegate to furnish satisfactory proof that the applicant will graduate within one year of the date the examination was administered or as provided in paragraph (1) of subdivision (c).

(Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 385, Sec. 10. Effective January 1, 2012.)