(a) In order to provide the means of carrying out and enforcing the provisions of this Article and the duties devolving upon the North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners, it is authorized to charge and collect fees established by its rules not exceeding the following:

(1) Each applicant for examination $350.00

(2) Each renewal certificate, which fee shall be annually fixed by the Board and not later than November 30 of each year it shall give written notice of the amount of the renewal fee to each dental hygienist licensed to practice in this State by mailing such notice to the last address of record with the Board of each such dental hygienist 250.00

(3) Each restoration of license 150.00

(4) Each provisional license 150.00

(5) Each certificate of license to a resident dental hygienist desiring to change to another state or territory 50.00

(6) Annual fee to be paid upon license renewal to assist in funding programs for impaired dental hygienists 80.00

(7) Each license by credentials 1,500.

(b) In all instances where the Board uses the services of a regional or national testing agency for preparation, administration, or grading of examinations, the Board may require applicants to pay the actual cost of the testing agency in lieu of the fee authorized in subdivision (a)(1) of this section.

(c) In no event may the annual fee imposed on dental hygienists to fund the impaired dental hygienists program exceed the annual fee imposed on dentists to fund the impaired dentist program. All fees shall be payable in advance to the Board and shall be disposed of by the Board in the discharge of its duties under this Article. (1945, c. 639, s. 11; 1965, c. 163, s. 7; 1967, c. 489, s. 2; 1971, c. 756, s. 12; 1987, c. 555, s. 2; 1999-382, s. 3; 2002-37, s. 6; 2003-348, s. 2; 2006-235, s. 3.)