RDHAP LAW AND ETHICS EXAM ACTUAL EXAM 2026/2027 | EXPERT
VERIFIED | MOST TESTED | CA BPC & DHBC REGULATIONS | ANSWERS &
RATIONALES | PASS GUARANTEED - GRADED A+
EXAM OVERVIEW
The RDHAP (Registered Dental Hygienist in Alternative Practice) Law and Ethics Exam is required for
licensure as an RDHAP in California. The exam tests knowledge of:
Business and Professions Code (BPC) sections governing dental hygiene practice
California Code of Regulations (CCR) Title 16
Supervision requirements and scope of practice
Ethical principles and professional conduct
Mandatory reporting laws
Diversion program regulations
RDHAP-specific practice parameters
SECTION 1: RDHAP SCOPE OF PRACTICE
Q1. An RDHAP may practice as which of the following?
A) Employee of a dentist only
B) Independent contractor only
, RDHAP LAW AND ETHICS EXAM ACTUAL EXAM 2026/2027 | EXPERT
VERIFIED | MOST TESTED | CA BPC & DHBC REGULATIONS | ANSWERS &
RATIONALES | PASS GUARANTEED - GRADED A+
C) Employee of a dentist, another RDHAP, as an independent contractor, as a sole proprietor, as an employee
of a primary care clinic, or as an employee of a clinic owned by a public hospital or health system
D) Only in a dental office setting
Answer: C) Employee of a dentist, another RDHAP, as an independent contractor, as a sole proprietor, as an
employee of a primary care clinic, or as an employee of a clinic owned by a public hospital or health system
Rationale: RDHAPs have multiple practice options under California law, including employment by dentists or
other RDHAPs, independent contracting, sole proprietorship, and employment in various clinic settings .
Q2. An RDHAP may practice at which of the following locations?
A) Residences of homebound individuals
B) Schools
C) Residential facilities and institutions
D) Dental health professional shortage areas
E) All of the above
Answer: E) All of the above
Rationale: RDHAPs are authorized to practice in multiple settings including patients' homes, schools,
residential facilities, institutions, and Dental Health Professional Shortage Areas (DHPSAs) .
, RDHAP LAW AND ETHICS EXAM ACTUAL EXAM 2026/2027 | EXPERT
VERIFIED | MOST TESTED | CA BPC & DHBC REGULATIONS | ANSWERS &
RATIONALES | PASS GUARANTEED - GRADED A+
Q3. An RDHAP may hire which of the following personnel?
A) Another RDHAP to assist in the practice
B) Dental assistants for retraction and suction duties
C) A registered dental hygienist to provide direct patient services
D) Both A and B
Answer: D) Both A and B
Rationale: RDHAPs may hire other RDHAPs to assist in the practice and may hire dental assistants to perform
retraction and suction. However, an RDHAP may NOT hire an RDH to provide direct patient services .
Q4. Which of the following procedures is NOT within the scope of practice for an RDHAP?
A) Dental hygiene assessment
B) Scaling and root planing
C) Diagnosis and comprehensive treatment planning
D) Application of topical fluoride
Answer: C) Diagnosis and comprehensive treatment planning
, RDHAP LAW AND ETHICS EXAM ACTUAL EXAM 2026/2027 | EXPERT
VERIFIED | MOST TESTED | CA BPC & DHBC REGULATIONS | ANSWERS &
RATIONALES | PASS GUARANTEED - GRADED A+
Rationale: The practice of dental hygiene does NOT include diagnosis and comprehensive treatment
planning. These procedures remain within the dentist's scope of practice .
Q5. A registered dental hygienist may perform which of the following procedures under general supervision?
A) Oral prophylaxis
B) Scaling and root planing
C) Application of topical therapeutic agents
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
Rationale: Under general supervision, an RDH may perform preventive and therapeutic interventions
including oral prophylaxis, scaling and root planing, and application of topical and subgingival agents .
Q6. A registered dental hygienist may perform which of the following procedures under direct supervision
after completing a board-approved course?
A) Soft-tissue curettage
B) Administration of local anesthesia
C) Administration of nitrous oxide and oxygen
D) All of the above
VERIFIED | MOST TESTED | CA BPC & DHBC REGULATIONS | ANSWERS &
RATIONALES | PASS GUARANTEED - GRADED A+
EXAM OVERVIEW
The RDHAP (Registered Dental Hygienist in Alternative Practice) Law and Ethics Exam is required for
licensure as an RDHAP in California. The exam tests knowledge of:
Business and Professions Code (BPC) sections governing dental hygiene practice
California Code of Regulations (CCR) Title 16
Supervision requirements and scope of practice
Ethical principles and professional conduct
Mandatory reporting laws
Diversion program regulations
RDHAP-specific practice parameters
SECTION 1: RDHAP SCOPE OF PRACTICE
Q1. An RDHAP may practice as which of the following?
A) Employee of a dentist only
B) Independent contractor only
, RDHAP LAW AND ETHICS EXAM ACTUAL EXAM 2026/2027 | EXPERT
VERIFIED | MOST TESTED | CA BPC & DHBC REGULATIONS | ANSWERS &
RATIONALES | PASS GUARANTEED - GRADED A+
C) Employee of a dentist, another RDHAP, as an independent contractor, as a sole proprietor, as an employee
of a primary care clinic, or as an employee of a clinic owned by a public hospital or health system
D) Only in a dental office setting
Answer: C) Employee of a dentist, another RDHAP, as an independent contractor, as a sole proprietor, as an
employee of a primary care clinic, or as an employee of a clinic owned by a public hospital or health system
Rationale: RDHAPs have multiple practice options under California law, including employment by dentists or
other RDHAPs, independent contracting, sole proprietorship, and employment in various clinic settings .
Q2. An RDHAP may practice at which of the following locations?
A) Residences of homebound individuals
B) Schools
C) Residential facilities and institutions
D) Dental health professional shortage areas
E) All of the above
Answer: E) All of the above
Rationale: RDHAPs are authorized to practice in multiple settings including patients' homes, schools,
residential facilities, institutions, and Dental Health Professional Shortage Areas (DHPSAs) .
, RDHAP LAW AND ETHICS EXAM ACTUAL EXAM 2026/2027 | EXPERT
VERIFIED | MOST TESTED | CA BPC & DHBC REGULATIONS | ANSWERS &
RATIONALES | PASS GUARANTEED - GRADED A+
Q3. An RDHAP may hire which of the following personnel?
A) Another RDHAP to assist in the practice
B) Dental assistants for retraction and suction duties
C) A registered dental hygienist to provide direct patient services
D) Both A and B
Answer: D) Both A and B
Rationale: RDHAPs may hire other RDHAPs to assist in the practice and may hire dental assistants to perform
retraction and suction. However, an RDHAP may NOT hire an RDH to provide direct patient services .
Q4. Which of the following procedures is NOT within the scope of practice for an RDHAP?
A) Dental hygiene assessment
B) Scaling and root planing
C) Diagnosis and comprehensive treatment planning
D) Application of topical fluoride
Answer: C) Diagnosis and comprehensive treatment planning
, RDHAP LAW AND ETHICS EXAM ACTUAL EXAM 2026/2027 | EXPERT
VERIFIED | MOST TESTED | CA BPC & DHBC REGULATIONS | ANSWERS &
RATIONALES | PASS GUARANTEED - GRADED A+
Rationale: The practice of dental hygiene does NOT include diagnosis and comprehensive treatment
planning. These procedures remain within the dentist's scope of practice .
Q5. A registered dental hygienist may perform which of the following procedures under general supervision?
A) Oral prophylaxis
B) Scaling and root planing
C) Application of topical therapeutic agents
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
Rationale: Under general supervision, an RDH may perform preventive and therapeutic interventions
including oral prophylaxis, scaling and root planing, and application of topical and subgingival agents .
Q6. A registered dental hygienist may perform which of the following procedures under direct supervision
after completing a board-approved course?
A) Soft-tissue curettage
B) Administration of local anesthesia
C) Administration of nitrous oxide and oxygen
D) All of the above
