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Board of Denture Technology

Denture Technology: How to Get Licensed
Scope of Practice Renewal Process
Oral Pathology Endorsement
Licensure Pathways
Application Process
Examinations
Continuing Education
Scope of Practice
Denturists construct, repair, reline, reproduce, duplicate, supply, fit or alter removable prosthetic dental appliances—otherwise known as dentures as defined in Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) 680.500 (scroll down to find the correct ORS reference).  In the fitting process, denturists also take impressions, bite registrations, try-ins or insertions.
 
Denturists may provide full dentures to replace complete sets of original teeth that are missing in the upper, lower or both sections of the mouth, or partial dentures, which fit sections of the mouth in which some of the original teeth remain.
 
Denturists provide services independently and directly to the public in their own offices, in dental laboratories and businesses that specialize in denture services, and work in collaboration with dentists, orthodontists and oral surgeons to provide comprehensive dental services to patients. 
Oral Pathology Endorsement
A majority of denturists in Oregon carry an oral pathology endorsement, which allows them to provide a full range of denture services without prior examination of the patient by a dentist or physician under ORS 680.545 and Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR) 331-410-0005 (scroll down to find the correct OAR reference).
 
For the limited number of practicing denturists without an oral pathology endorsement, they must receive an Oral Health Certificate signed by a dentist or physician stating that the patient’s mouth is free from disease (such as periodontitis, or gum disease) and able to accept a denture.
 
Denturists without an oral pathology endorsement do not need an Oral Health Certificate to repair, reline or replace a denture fitted within the prior year.
Licensure Pathways
PATHWAY ONE – Approved education and training with an Oregon examination. An applicant may qualify for licensure by demonstrating:

(a) Completion of a program of education of at least an associate-level degree program in denture technology or the equivalent in formal, post-secondary education approved by the Oregon Health Licensing Agency (OHLA) and which meets licensing standards set by the Oregon Board of Denture Technology under (OAR) 331-410-0000.

(b) Completion of 1,000 hours of practice in denture technology under direct supervision of an approved school or the equivalent supervised experience described in OAR 331-410-0000(4); and

(c) Successful completion of the Oregon written and practical examination described in OAR 331-410-0030.
 
PATHWAY TWO – Approved education and training with an examination recognized or approved by the Board. An applicant may qualify for licensure by demonstrating:

(a) Completion of a program of education that has been approved by the agency under OAR 331-410-0000;

(b) Completion of 1,000 hours of practice in denture technology under direct supervision of an approved school or the equivalent supervised experience described in OAR 331-410-0000(4); and

(c) Successful completion of a written and practical examination approved or recognized by the Board pursuant to ORS 680.515(1)(c).
 
PATHWAY THREE – Licensed by credential. An applicant who is licensed to practice denture technology in another state may qualify for licensure in Oregon by:

(a) Satisfying the requirements of ORS 680.527, which are:
  • On the date of submitting the application is a denturist licensed under the laws of any other state or territory of the United States, if the requirements for licensing of denturists in the other state or territory are not less than those required in ORS 680.500 to 680.570 and the applicant has passed a written and practical examination that is substantially similar to the examination required for licensure in this state; and

  • Has engaged in the full-time active practice of denture technology as a licensed denturist in another jurisdiction for a minimum of two years immediately preceding the date of application for licensure 
Click here to go to the Forms page to find more denturist licensing information, course requirements, and approved programs and additional resources.
Application Process
  1. Applicants must complete an application form, pay an application fee, and provide an official transcript of a completed denture technology program.

  2. Once the application is approved, the applicant must complete and submit a Work Experience Registration Agreement, which stipulates the applicant will receive the required 1000 hours of supervised training.

  3. Complete and submit a Certification of Denturist Work Experience, which verifies the applicant has completed the 1000 hours of training. 

  4. Pay a written examination fee and practical examination fee.  Applicants who pass both sections of the examination and pay the initial license fee are issued a license.  Click here for full fee schedule.
To obtain application forms, please contact the Oregon Health Licensing Agency or click here for online forms.  For more information, see OAR 331-410-0060.
Examinations
Applicants must pass both a written and practical examination under OAR 331-410-0030 for PATHWAY ONE.  The written section consists of 345 multiple-choice questions and the practical section involves a demonstration of skills.  Passing score on both examinations is 70 percent or above.
 
Practical Examination:   Once a year between June 15 and August 15, in Portland.  For the most recently scheduled examination, click here.
 
Written Examination:  On a walk-in basis at OHLA in Salem; no appointment necessary.
 
Note:  Examinations are scheduled upon approval of completed application and required training and payment of fees.  Applicants who fail the practical examination may be required to obtain additional training hours as determined by OHLA/Board of Denture Technology.
 
More information on examination requirements can be found in ORS 680-515 to 680-520 and OAR 331-410-0020 to 331-410-0050.
Continuing Education
Denturists are required to obtain at least 20 hours of continuing education every two years to maintain their state-issued license under OAR 331-415-0010.  Licensees must attest, or declare, they have met continuing education requirements upon license renewal (see below) and are subject to periodic audits under OAR 331-415-0020.
 
Click here to go to the Continuing Education page.
Renewal Process
Application for license renewal under OAR 331-410- 0065 should be made in advance of the license expiration date, which is one year from the date of issuance.  Renewal applications are mailed to licensees approximately six weeks prior to license expiration courtesy of the OHLA/Board of Denture Technology.
 
Click here to renew online.
 
Page updated: October 01, 2008

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