California signs AB 1760 dentistry changes
Sep 6, 2026 edition · GC-2026-0019 · Published 2026-09-06 · Version 2 · Final
California enacted AB 1760 dentistry revisions with separate ordinary commencement and radiation-course transition dates.
What happened
AB 1760 became Chapter 167 on August 31 and addresses dentistry licensure evidence and examinations, elective facial cosmetic surgery permits, dental-assistant provisions and radiation-safety course approval. The final chapter establishes the law’s content, while ordinary commencement is January 1, 2027. Existing radiation-safety course approvals have a separate transition ending January 1, 2028. Signature should therefore be distinguished from permission to apply every new requirement immediately.
The course provision requires at least 32 hours: eight didactic,12 laboratory and 12 clinical. Distance learning may supply didactic instruction with the stated technology and assistance safeguards and must be completed before laboratory instruction. Required supervised laboratory and clinical practice remains separate. Providers with existing approvals must apply under the new process to offer courses on or after January 1, 2028. Dental-assistant duties also retain supervision, education and competency conditions, so the different licensing and course provisions need role-specific review rather than a single blanket scope expansion.
Scope and timing
- Authority status
- Final
- Applicability
- Operationally relevant
- Audience
- Health systems, Provider networks
- Jurisdiction
- California
Why it matters
Dental education and credentialing owners need to separate final statutory content from commencement and the later course-approval transition.
Recommended action
Review the enacted licensing and training provisions with the appropriate owners, confirm commencement and course-approval dates, and preserve supervision and competency controls.
Sources
- AB 1760, chaptered textOfficial · California Legislature · 2026-08-31 · Source review 2026-09-06
- AB 1760, legislative historyOfficial · California Legislature · 2026-08-31 · Source review 2026-09-06
- Official retained source documentOfficial · Official issuing agency · Source review 2026-10-16
Complete edition and supplemental material
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