SECTION 111.1. Additional Continuing Education Required

(a) Effective until September 1, 2020, each dentist who is permitted by the Drug Enforcement Agency to prescribe controlled substances shall complete every three years a minimum of two hours of continuing education in the abuse and misuse of controlled substances, opioid prescription practices, and/or pharmacology. This continuing education may be utilized to fill the continuing education requirements of annual renewal.

(b) Effective beginning September 1, 2020, each dentist who is permitted by the Drug Enforcement Agency (or any subsequent permitting authority authorized by state and federal law) to prescribe controlled substances must complete 2 hours of continuing education related to approved procedures of prescribing and monitoring controlled substances as outlined in paragraphs (1) - (3) of this subsection. These 2 hours of continuing education may be used to satisfy the recordkeeping continuing education requirements of §104.1 of this title (relating to Requirement). After completing the initial requirement, a dentist may, no more than once annually, take the course under this subsection to fulfill hours toward the recordkeeping continuing education requirement.

(1) For dentists authorized to prescribe controlled substances before September 1, 2020, the 2 hours of required continuing education must be completed no later than September 1, 2021.

(2) For dentists who are authorized to prescribe controlled substances on or after September 1, 2020, the 2 hours of required continuing education must be completed not later than the first anniversary after the person is issued an authorization to prescribe.

(3) For dentists who have surrendered the permit or authorization to prescribe controlled substances or have their permit or authorization to prescribe controlled substances revoked by any administrative, civil, or criminal proceeding, the requirements of paragraph (2) of this subsection shall apply to any new permit or authorization granted on or after September 1, 2020, regardless of whether the dentist previously satisfied the requirements of this subsection.

Source Note: The provisions of this §111.1 adopted to be effective December 25, 2016, 41 TexReg 9932; amended to be effective December 15, 2019, 44 TexReg 7697