It is a new law called PGY-1 and is only in New York so far. It's been a big deal in ASDA for the last two years. The NERB is really an evil exam and this is a nice alternative to it. However, if you want to practice in PA or NJ let's say, you still have to take the NERB.
Here is the info straight from the New York State Dental Association (NYSDA) website -
www.nysdental.org
New Licensure Law: Frequently Asked Questions
August 5, 2002
If I am in a residency program now which will be completed in 2003, do I have to take the NERB for licensure in New York State?
No, as long as the residency meets the requirements of the law._The new law was intended to provide dentists the option of using the residency as a substitute for the NERB in the fulfillment of the Part III requirement. Although the law does not go into effect until January 1, 2003, it does not require that the residency program must be taken after the effective date._ It only requires that the program?s formal outcome assessment evaluation be acceptable to the State Education Department._ If the State Education Department requires something more than the requirements of the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) or the Joint Commission on Hospital Accreditation, a residency program should be able to incorporate these changes prior to the end of the residency program.__The Legislature, the Governor and NYSDA are urging the State Education Department_to rely on the mechanisms already in place by the national dental accrediting institutions._____
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If I fail (or have failed) the NERB, but complete a residency, will I qualify for licensure under New York State?s new law?
Yes, as long as the residency program meets the requirements of the law._ The law states that a dentist may be licensed by satisfying either option for licensure ? not both._ As we all are well aware, dentists may fail the NERB for many reasons beyond their control._ The law expressly recognizes_the merit in evaluating a dentist?s competency over a period of time as opposed to the one-shot clinical exam._ There is nothing in the law_suggesting that if you pursue one of the options and fail, the other option becomes unavailable.__
If I have already completed a residency will I qualify for licensure under the new law?
Yes, if the residency program meets the requirements of the law._ The issue is whether the State Education Department will require more than the completed residency program entailed._ If the State Education Department accepts the CODA requirements without any changes, you should be able to apply in January for your license based on your satisfactory completion of the program._
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More about the law...
The NYSDA-supported ?PGY 1? legislation, which will allow dentists to satisfactorily complete an accredited postgraduate dental residency program of at least one year as an alternative to the Part III clinical examination requirement (?NERB?), passed the New York State Legislature and was signed into law by Governor Pataki on July 25, 2002._The law takes effect on January 1, 2003._In doing so, New York became the first state to allow an accredited postgraduate dental residency to satisfy the licensure requirements as an alternative to the clinical examination._
The law, Chapter 143 of the laws of 2002, provides that a dentist may fulfill the Part III clinical examination requirements by the:
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?satisfactory completion of a postdoctoral dental residency program, of at least one year?s duration, in a hospital or dental facility accredited for teaching purposes by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association, provided, further, that any such residency program shall include a formal outcome assessment evaluation of the resident?s competence to practice dentistry acceptable to the department...?___
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The law also provides that anyone meeting this requirement ?shall not be required to take any additional clinical licensing examination.?
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The Sponsors? Memorandum in support of the legislation states: ?The extensive and intensive supervised practical skills training, as well as the additional academic instruction of a postdoctoral dental residency program, more than suffices to establish competency for purposes of licensure... The bill acknowledges the benefits of measuring dental competency over a period of time as opposed to the current one-day clinical examination.?
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The law provides that the residency?s formal outcome assessment evaluation must be acceptable to the State Education Department, but the Sponsors? Memorandum makes clear that the department may rely on the ADA?s Council on Dental Accreditation and the Joint Commission on Hospital Accreditation?s established mechanisms to evaluate dental residency programs and resident?s competency._ NYSDA is actively engaged in discussions with the State Education Department urging it to accept these accredited programs and not to establish any additional criteria of dental residency programs._
