Continuing education; dental hygienists.

In addition to the other requirements for relicensure for dental hygienists set out in this chapter, the board shall require each licensed dental hygienist to complete at least 24 hours but not more than 36 hours of continuing professional education in dental subjects, biennially, in programs prescribed or approved by the board or in equivalent programs of continuing education. Programs of continuing education approved by the board shall be programs of learning which, in the opinion of the board, contribute directly to the dental education of the dental hygienist. The board shall adopt rules and guidelines to administer and enforce this section. The dental hygienist shall retain in her or his records any receipts, vouchers, or certificates necessary to document completion of such continuing education. Compliance with the continuing education requirements is mandatory for issuance of the renewal certificate. The board may excuse licensees, as a group or as individuals, from all or part of the continuing education requirements if an unusual circumstance, emergency, or hardship has prevented compliance with this section.