New Mexico Register / Volume XXXVII, Issue 8 / April 21, 2026

 

 

This is an amendment to 16.5.33 NMAC, Sections 9, 12, 13 and 14, effective 4/21/2026.

 

16.5.33.9               EDUCATION AND EXAMINATION REQUIREMENTS FOR DENTAL RADIOGRAPHY:

                [A.           Education requirements:

                                (1)           study by independent preparation or in a training course on radiation health and safety within the past 36 months; and

                                (2)           have assisted with or observed five cases of full mouth intra oral radiographic series or five extra oral radiographs if applying for a limited certificate.

                B.            Examination requirements:

                                (1)           Pass the board or DANB written examination on radiation health and safety.

                                (2)           After passing the board or DANB written exam must apply to the board for a training permit which allows the dental assistant to perfect radiography technique.  The permit is valid for six months after passing the written exam.

                                (3)           Pass the technique test demonstrating proficiency in the exposure of a full-mouth intra oral radiographic series or panoramic film as established by the board within six months of passing the written exam.

                                (4)           If an applicant chooses to provide only a panoramic film the certificate holder is limited to taking only extra oral films.

                                (5)           The technique test will be taken on a phantom or human patient.  The applicant shall expose a full mouth intra oral radiographic series of radiographs or a panoramic film, develop, mount, and label the films.  The exam must be done independently and submitted to the board office with an affidavit signed by the dentist, dental hygienist, or dental assistant certified in radiography attesting to the independent exam.  The radiographs must be of diagnostic quality and will be graded by at least two board or committee members and serve as the technique test required for certification.

                                (6)           Pass the take home jurisprudence examination.

                                (7)           When extenuating circumstances exist as defined in 16.5.1.7 NMAC, and the dental assistant cannot submit to the board exposed radiographs, the dental assistant my request an extension of time.  The request must be put in writing and submitted to the board office prior to the deadline.

                C.            Exemptions:

                                (1)           A dental hygiene student enrolled in an accredited school of dental hygiene who having passed a curriculum in dental radiography, may be granted a certificate to expose radiographs without an examination.

                                (2)           A dental assistant certified to perform dental radiography in another state with requirements not less stringent than those in New Mexico may be certified based on credentials.]

                A.            Requirements:

                                (1)           An applicant for certification in dental radiography shall meet the education and examination requirements through one of the following pathways:

                                                (a)           Pathway one - DANB radiation health and safety examination:  Study by independent preparation or in a training course on radiation health and safety and pass the dental assisting national board (DANB) written examination on radiation health and safety.  The results of the DANB exam are valid in New Mexico for a period not to exceed 24 months.

                                                (b)           Pathway 2 - Board-approved course with integrated examination:  Successful completion of a board-approved training course in radiation health and safety that includes a board-approved written examination on radiation health and safety; and the course and examination must have been successfully completed within 24 months prior to application to the board.

                                (2)           Pass the jurisprudence exam with a score of at least seventy-five percent.

                                (3)           proof of current basic life support (BLS) or cardiac pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification accepted by the American heart association, the American red cross, or the American safety and health institute/health and safety Institute (ASHI/HSI); cannot be a self-study course;

                                (4)           When extenuating circumstances exist as defined in 16.5.1.7 NMAC and the dental assistant cannot submit to the board a completed application within 24 months of examination completion, the applicant may request written request to the board for an extension of time.

                B.            Exemptions:

                                (1)           A dental hygiene student enrolled in an accredited school of dental hygiene who having passed a curriculum in dental radiography, may be granted a certificate to expose radiographs without an examination.

                                (2)           A dental assistant certified to perform dental radiography in another state with requirements not less stringent than those in New Mexico may be certified based on credentials according to 16.5.33.13 NMAC.

[16.5.33.9 NMAC - Rp, 16.5.33.9 NMAC, 5/31/2023; A, 4/21/2026]

 

16.5.33.12             REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION:  Each applicant for an expanded function dental assistant certificate must submit to the board or its agent the required fees and following documentation.

                A.            Completed application [and the completed jurisprudence take home exam].  Applications are valid for one year from the date of receipt.

                B.            Dental radiography:

                                [(1)          proof of passing the board or DANB written examination on radiation health and safety;

                                (2)           an affidavit from a supervising dentist, dental hygienist, or dental assistant certified in radiography verifying the applicant has:

                                                (a)           assisted with and observed five cases of full-mouth intra oral radiographic series or five panoramic films if applying for a limited certification; and

                                                (b)           that upon reaching competency, the applicant independently exposed the radiographs submitted for technique examination;

                                (3)           the completed full mouth intra oral radiographic series or a panoramic film as required for the technique exam described in 16.5.33.9 NMAC.]

                                (1)           proof of passing the board or DANB written examination on radiation health and safety; proof of passing the board a board-approved or DANB written examination on radiation health and safety as defined in 16.5.33.9 NMAC;

                                (2)           pass the jurisprudence exam with a score of at least seventy-five percent; and

                                (3)           proof of current basic life support (BLS) or cardiac pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification accepted by the American heart association, the American red cross, or the American safety and health institute/health and safety Institute (ASHI/HSI); cannot be a self-study course.

                C.            Rubber cup coronal polishing and application of topical fluoride:

                                (1)           proof of passing the board or DANB written examination for rubber cup coronal polishing and application of topical fluoride;

                                (2)           an affidavit from a supervising dentist, dental hygienist, or dental assistant certified in rubber cup coronal polishing and topical fluoride application that the applicant has:

                                                (a)           assisted with and observed five cases of rubber cup coronal polishing on adults and children and five applications of topical fluoride on children; and

                                                (b)           while being personally observed by a dentist, dental hygienist, or dental assistant certified in rubber cup coronal polishing, application of topical fluoride provided rubber cup coronal polishing on five adults and five children; and, provide applications of topical fluoride on five children.

                D.            Pit and fissure sealants:

                                (1)           proof of passing the board approved examination on application of pit and fissure sealants;

                                (2)           an affidavit from a supervising dentist or dental hygienist verifying that the applicant has:

                                                (a)           assisted with and observed placement of 12 pit and fissure sealants; and

                                                (b)           while being personally observed by a dentist or dental hygienist, the applicant successfully place pit and fissure sealants on six patients.

                                (3)           proof of 2080 hours of chair side dental assisting experience within two years immediately prior to application for certification;

                                (4)           the completed jurisprudence exam.

[16.5.33.12 NMAC - Rp, 16.5.33.12 NMAC, 5/31/2023; A, 4/21/2026]

 

16.5.33.13             CERTIFICATION BY CREDENTIALS:  Applicants for certification by credentials must possess the following qualifications:

                [A.           verification of certification in all states where the applicant holds or has held a certificate to practice dental assisting; verification must be sent directly to the board office from the other state(s) board, must include a seal, and must attest to the status, issue date, expiration date, certification number, and other information contained on the form;

                B.            an official letter from the director of an accredited dental hygiene program indicating the applicant has completed coursework in the requested expanded function; or

                C.            proof of current, valid, certification as a CDA issued by DANB; and

                D.            all certifications, letters and validations must be received directly by the board office from the state, institution, or DANB;

                E.            the board may deny, stipulate, or otherwise limit a certification if is determined the applicant is guilty of violating any of the provisions of the act, the Uniform Licensing Act, the Impaired Dentists and Hygienists Act, or the rules;

                F.            pass the jurisprudence exam with a score of a least seventy-five percent;

                G.            all certificates held by the applicant must have been in good standing for two years prior to application; and

                H.            the board may deny, stipulate, or otherwise limit a certification if it is determined the applicant holds or has held a certification in another jurisdiction that is not in good standing, if proceedings are pending against the applicant in another jurisdiction, or information is received indicating the applicant is of danger to patients or is guilty of violating any of the provisions of the act, the Uniform Licensing Act or these rules.]

                A.            verification of certification in all states where the applicant holds or has held a certificate to practice dental assisting; verification must be sent directly to the board office from the other state(s) board and must attest to the status, issue date, expiration date, certification number, and other information contained on the form;

                B.            all certificates held by the applicant must have been in good standing for two years prior to application;

                C.            an official letter from the director of an accredited dental hygiene program or dental assisting program indicating the applicant has completed coursework in the requested expanded function; if applicable;

                D.            proof of current, valid, certification as a CDA or other DANB-issued credentials issued by DANB; if applicable; and

                E.            pass the jurisprudence exam with a score of at least seventy-five percent.

[16.5.33.13 NMAC - Rp, 16.5.33.13 NMAC, 5/31/2023; A, 4/21/2026]

 

16.5.33.14             [RE-EXAMINATION PROCEDURE:

                A.            An applicant who does not obtain a passing score on the required written exam must re-apply and pay the required fees in order to retake the examination.

                B.            Applicants for certification in radiography will be allowed to submit radiographs for the technique exam three times.  With each failure the supervising dentist, dental hygienist, or dental assistant certified in dental radiography will be notified of their responsibility for training the applicant.

                C.            After a third failure, the applicant and supervising dentist, dental hygienist, or dental assistant certified in radiography will be required to submit to the board a plan for remediation, including steps that will be taken to assure clinical competency.] [RESERVED]

[16.5.33.14 NMAC - Rp, 16.5.33.14 NMAC, 5/31/2023; Repealed, 4/21/2026]