dental board; fingerprint card; maintenance

HB 2828 requires dentists, dental hygienists, and denture technicians in Arizona to maintain a valid fingerprint clearance card issued under state law (Section 41-1758.03) as part of their licensing or certification process. This requirement applies to all new applications and renewals starting January 1, 2026, or when approved by the federal Bureau of Investigation. The bill updates licensing rules to deny or suspend applications if applicants fail to maintain this card or are under investigation by another dental regulatory board. It directly affects licensed dental professionals seeking to practice in Arizona by adding a new administrative requirement to their credentialing process. The bill focuses on standardizing background checks for dental practitioners without changing substantive practice rules.