Who can perform this function?
A licensed hygienist who works under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist and holds a current local infiltration anesthesia certificate in accordance with board rule 115.10.
Requirements for Initial Certification
To receive a dental hygiene local infiltration anesthesia certificate from the Board, a dental hygienist must:
(1) submit a completed application and application fee,
(2) submit proof of the successful completion of a current course in Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers;
(3) submit proof to the Board that he or she has fulfilled at least one of the following qualifications:
- completed a minimum of 12 hours of clinical and 20 hours of didactic education in the administration of local infiltration anesthesia taken in a classroom setting at an educational institution accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association (CODA).
- during the preceding year of initial application, was authorized to administer a local anesthetic agent by:
- a branch of the United States armed forces; or
- another state with clinical and didactic requirements substantially equivalent to the requirements of a CODA-accredited dental hygiene program, and have practiced for a minimum of three out of five years immediately preceding application to the Board; or
- successful completion of a CODA-accredited dental hygiene program.
(4) have passed a Board-approved certification examination relating to the administration of a local anesthetic agent. A “Board-approved certification examination” means an examination provided by a CODA-accredited course.
Questions regarding this application process may be directed to anesthesiainfo@tsbde.texas.gov.
Online Instructions
Please click on this link to navigate to the virtual system to begin with the online application.
- Login with User ID (email) and Password.
- From the Quick Start Menu → under, “Manage your license information” you will need to choose your application. Select from the drop down menu, “Add Anesthesia” and then click on “SELECT” to be taken to the Introduction page to proceed.
- You will have the option to update your public address, home, and work addresses. Note: If you are applying using your military credentials, you must be able to provide a legible copy of the document to support the status. Incomplete submissions or documentation that is not legible will not be processed.
- After you have entered your information and uploaded your documents, an application summary will be available for review.
- Upon submission of the application request, the application will be processed within 7-10 business days. A letter confirming the approval of the Local Infiltration Anesthesia approval will be sent via your online licensing account. TSBDE no longer issues renewal certificates; you may print your updated renewal certificate from your online account.
Military Applicants: U.S. Military Active Duty, Veterans, and U.S. Military Active Duty Spouses applying using their military credentials along with all supporting documents are required to submit a copy of Military Change of Station Orders, Identification Card or a document showing proof of Honorable or General Discharge.
If you do not see your license/registration, click the link titled, “Add License to Registration,” on the left hand side of the page and follow the instructions. If you get an error message that reads, “Entity already exists under another user ID,” this means your license is associated with another log in or email address. Please follow this link, https://licsys.hpc.texas.gov/contact/, for assistance and in the subject line enter “ENTITY ALREADY EXISTS.” In the body of the email include: Full Name, Profession, License Number, and email address that you want your license(s) to be under.
Once the licensee holds the local infiltration anesthesia (LIA) approval, it will remain on the license as long as the hygienist maintains an active dental hygiene license and completes the required continuing education hours biennially.
Renewal Requirements
This privilege will be renewed automatically at the time of the license renewal for no additional fee. However, the licensees will be required to complete no less than two (2) hours of continuing education every two years in the administration of, or medical emergencies associated with, local anesthesia specific to the procedures to be performed by the dental hygienist administering local anesthesia. These hours are in addition to the required twenty four (24) hours for license renewal.