To be eligible for initial dental therapy licensure, the applicant must successfully complete a dental therapy education program approved by the commission. The commission accepts educational programs as listed in RCW 18.265.030 (1) and (2).

(1) Dental therapy education programs must include coursework encompassing the subject areas within the Washington state dental therapy scope of the practice as listed in RCW 18.265.050 including didactic and clinical competency in:

(a) Periodontal scaling and root planing; and

(b) Administration of nitrous oxide analgesia.

(2) Dental therapy education programs whose curriculum does not include the didactic and clinical competency as required in subsection (1) of this section, will be accepted if the applicant successfully completes supplemental education approved by the commission.

(a) The commission accepts supplemental education taken from CODA accredited dental, dental hygiene, and dental therapy schools.

(b) Non-CODA education requires commission approval.