California Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill on August 7 that resumes licensing of registered dental assistants (RDAs) despite a continued suspension of the practical exam.
The bill, AB 1707, extends the practical exam's suspension and allows the dental board to immediately continue licensing RDA applicants. The Dental Board of California suspended the practical exam in April after a review by the Office of Professional Examination Services found it did not meet critical standards.
Under the previous law, RDA candidates could still get licensed until July 1, 2017, if they met all other requirements, but no new licenses could be issued on or after July 1, 2017, a provision the new law amends.
