Qualified Employee
Under the Dental Laboratory Program, a
qualified employee is a person who works in a registered dental laboratory at least 30 hours per week and meets
one of the following requirements:
- Has successfully completed
at least 12 hours of continuing education (CE) in dental laboratory technology during the 12 months immediately preceding the application for authorization of the dental laboratory. The CE must be approved or accepted by the National Board for Certification in Dental Laboratory Technology;
or
- Is a
certified dental laboratory technician in good standing;
or
- Is a
dentist.
Continuing Education Requirements
As outlined in the first bullet above, a qualified employee who meets the CE requirements must have successfully completed
at least 12 hours of continuing education (CE) in dental laboratory technology during the 12 months immediately preceding the application for authorization of the dental laboratory. The CE must be
approved or accepted by the National Board for Certification in Dental Laboratory Technology.
The Dental Laboratory Program does
not require additional CE from a qualified employee who is a
certified dental laboratory technician in good standing or a
dentist.
However, certified dental laboratory technicians and dentists may have
separate CE requirements associated with their certification or professional license. Certified dental laboratory technicians should check with the
National Board for Certification in Dental Laboratory Technology regarding CE requirements for maintaining their certification. Dentists should check with the
Oregon Board of Dentistry regarding CE requirements for maintaining an Oregon dental license.
Meeting the Dental Laboratory Program's qualified employee requirements does not exempt a certified dental laboratory technician or dentist from meeting any CE requirements that apply to their certification or professional license.
Dental Laboratory Program Implementation Update
House Bill 2594 (2025) created the Dental Laboratory Program within the Health Licensing Office (HLO). The bill establishes an operational date of July 1, 2026.
The HLO is currently in the rulemaking process for implementation of the program. However, permanent administrative rules will not be in effect by July 1, 2026. As part of the rulemaking process, proposed fees are subject to review pursuant to ORS 291.055 by the Director of the Oregon Department of Administrative Services.
Until permanent rules are filed and effective, the HLO is unable to begin accepting applications or collecting fees for Dental Laboratory authorizations.
For this reason, the HLO will begin accepting applications and fees after permanent rules become effective. Additional information regarding application availability and program implementation timelines will be communicated as updates become available.
Limited Waiver of Enforcement
To support implementation of the new program, the HLO will exercise enforcement discretion during a limited transition period.
From July 1, 2026, through October 31, 2026, the HLO will not impose discipline solely for operating a dental laboratory in Oregon without an HLO-issued authorization where authorization is required.
This temporary waiver applies to:
- Dental laboratories operating in Oregon that are required to obtain authorization under ORS 679.700 through 679.720; and
- Exempt dental laboratories that are required to submit an annual filing with the HLO under ORS 679.705.
This limited waiver applies only to authorization requirements associated with program implementation and does not waive compliance with any other applicable statutes or administrative rules. All other applicable statutory and regulatory requirements remain in effect and subject to HLO oversight and enforcement.