Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 1905

(a) The committee shall perform the following functions: (1) Evaluate all registered dental hygienist, registered dental hygienist in alternative practice, and registered dental hygienist in extended functions educational programs that apply for approval and grant or deny approval of those applications in accordance with regulations adopted by the committee. Any such educational programs approved by the dental board on or before June 30, 2009, shall be deemed approved by the committee. Any dental hygiene program accredited and in good standing by the Commission on Dental Accreditation shall be approved. (2) Withdraw or revoke its prior approval of a registered dental hygienist, registered dental hygienist in alternative practice, or registered dental hygienist in extended functions educational program in accordance with regulations adopted by the committee. The committee may withdraw or revoke a dental hygiene program approval if the program has been placed on probationary status by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. (3) Review and evaluate all registered dental hygienist, registered dental hygienist in alternative practice, and registered dental hygienist in extended functions applications for licensure to ascertain whether the applicant meets the appropriate licensing requirements specified by statute and regulations, maintain application records, cashier application fees, issue and renew licenses, and perform any other tasks that are incidental to the application and licensure processes. (4) Determine the appropriate type of license examination consistent with the provisions of this article, and develop or cause to be developed and administer examinations in accordance with regulations adopted by the committee. (5) Determine the amount of fees assessed under this article, not to exceed the actual cost. (6) Determine and enforce the continuing education requirements specified in this article. (A) (i) If the committee determines that the public health and safety would be served by requiring all holders of licenses under this chapter to continue their education after receiving a license, it may require, as a condition to the renewal thereof, that a licensee submit assurances satisfactory to the committee that he or she will, during the succeeding two-year period, inform himself or herself of the developments in the practice of dental hygiene occurring since the original issuance of his or her license by pursuing one or more courses of study satisfactory to the committee or by other means deemed equivalent by the committee. (ii) The committee shall adopt, amend, and revoke regulations providing for the suspension of a license at the end of the two-year period until compliance with the assurances provided for in this section is accomplished. (B) The committee may also, as a condition of license renewal, require licensees to successfully complete a portion of the required continuing education hours in specific areas adopted in regulations by the committee. The committee may prescribe this mandatory coursework within the general areas of patient care, health and safety, and law and ethics. The mandatory coursework prescribed by the committee shall not exceed seven and one-half hours per renewal period for dental hygienists, registered dental hygienists in alternative practice, and registered dental hygienists in extended functions. Any mandatory coursework required by the committee shall be credited toward the continuing education requirements established by the committee pursuant to subparagraph (A). (7) Deny, suspend, or revoke a license under this article, or otherwise enforce the provisions of this article. Any such proceedings shall be conducted in accordance with Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 11500) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, and the committee shall have all of the powers granted therein. (8) Make recommendations to the board regarding scope of practice issues. (9) Adopt, amend, and revoke rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this article, including the amount of required supervision by a registered dental hygienist, a registered dental hygienist in alternative practice, or a registered dental hygienist in extended functions of a registered dental assistant.

(b) The committee may employ employees and examiners that it deems necessary to carry out its functions and responsibilities under this article.