California RDH Law & Ethics Exam Prep
2026/2027: 100 Questions on Dental Practice
Act, Supervision, CE Requirements &
Mandated Reporting
Description:
Master the California Dental Practice Act with this 100-question test bank for RDH, RDA &
dental students. Covers scope of practice, infection control, unprofessional conduct
penalties, continuing education, ethical scenarios & mandated reporting—updated for
2026/2027 board exams.
Download the 2026/2027 Edition Today – Your Passport to RDH Licensure Success!
, RDH Law & Ethics Test Bank 2026: 100 Practice Questions
1. The primary legal authority that defines the scope of practice for a registered dental
hygienist in California is the:
A) American Dental Hygienists' Association Code of Ethics
B) California Dental Practice Act
C) OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard
D) CDC Guidelines for Infection Control
Answer: B
Explanation: The California Dental Practice Act (CDPA) is the statutory framework that legally
defines the scope of practice, supervision requirements, and authorized duties for dental
hygienists practicing within the state. While federal agencies like OSHA and CDC provide safety
guidelines, and professional associations establish ethical standards, only the Dental Practice Act
carries the force of law governing what dental hygienists may and may not do.
2. If an individual practices dental hygiene without a valid California license, the
punishment is:
A) Imprisonment in a state prison for up to one year and a fine of $500–$1,500
B) Imprisonment in a county jail for up to one year and a fine of $100–$1,500
C) Imprisonment in a federal penitentiary for up to six months and a fine of $1,500
D) Imprisonment in a state jail for five years and a fine of $100–$500
**Answer:** B
**Explanation:** Practicing dental hygiene without a license is a criminal offense punishable by
imprisonment in a county jail for up to one year and a fine ranging from $100 to $1,500. This
penalty reflects the serious nature of unlicensed practice while distinguishing it from more severe
felony-level offenses.
3. A person found guilty of unprofessional conduct is guilty of a __________ and shall be
fined __________ or imprisoned for __________ days, or both.
A) misdemeanor; $500–$1,000; 90–180
B) felony; $100–$600; 60–180
C) felony; $500–$1,000; 90–180
D) misdemeanor; $100–$600; 60–180
,Answer: D
Explanation: Unprofessional conduct under the Dental Practice Act is classified as a
misdemeanor. The penalty includes a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $600,
imprisonment for a term of not less than 60 days nor more than 180 days, or both. This
classification underscores that while unprofessional conduct is serious, it is not elevated to felony
status under most circumstances.
4. Which of the following is NOT considered unprofessional conduct under the California
Dental Practice Act?
A) Aiding or abetting an unlicensed person to practice dentistry
B) Following infection control guidelines
C) Altering patient records with intent to deceive
D) Advertising professional superiority
E) Repeated violations of poor recordkeeping
Answer: B
Explanation: Following infection control guidelines represents compliance with legal and
professional standards, not unprofessional conduct. The other options—aiding unlicensed
practice, record alteration, deceptive advertising, and repeated recordkeeping violations—are
explicitly defined as unprofessional conduct under California law.
5. If a potential licensee violates the integrity of the licensing examination (e.g., copying the
exam, removing it from the testing site) and this is witnessed by another person, what
action must be taken?
A) Report it by written report within one week
B) Report it by phone and written report within two days
C) Report it by phone immediately and written report within two days
D) Report by telephone within two days only
Answer: C
Explanation: Any person witnessing exam subversion must report it immediately by telephone
and follow up with a written report within two days. This requirement ensures prompt action to
maintain the integrity of the licensing examination process. Exam subversion is considered a
misdemeanor offense.
, 6. Evaluate the following statements regarding license discipline: Statement 1: A license
may be revoked, suspended, reprimanded, or placed on probation for unprofessional
conduct, incompetence, gross negligence, repeated negligence, or receiving a license by
mistake. Statement 2: If the licensee is convicted of a crime related to the licensee's
qualifications, functions, or duties, the license may be revoked, suspended, reprimanded, or
placed on probation.
A) Statement 1 is FALSE; Statement 2 is TRUE
B) Both statements are TRUE
C) Both statements are FALSE
D) Statement 1 is TRUE; Statement 2 is FALSE
Answer: B
Explanation: Both statements are accurate. The Dental Hygiene Committee (now the Dental
Hygiene Board of California) has broad disciplinary authority over licensees. Grounds for
discipline include unprofessional conduct, incompetence, gross negligence, repeated negligence,
licensure obtained by mistake, and criminal convictions substantially related to the practice of
dental hygiene.
7. If not renewed every two years, a California RDH license expires at midnight on the:
A) Same day the license was originally issued
B) First day of the licensee's birth month
C) Licensee's actual birth date
D) Last day of the licensee's birth month
Answer: D
Explanation: California RDH licenses expire at midnight on the last day of the licensee's birth
month during each two-year renewal cycle. Licensees must complete all continuing education
requirements and submit renewal applications before this date to maintain active licensure status.
8. The Dental Hygiene Board of California must be notified within _____ days when a
licensee has a change in name.
A) 5 days
B) 10 days
C) 15 days
2026/2027: 100 Questions on Dental Practice
Act, Supervision, CE Requirements &
Mandated Reporting
Description:
Master the California Dental Practice Act with this 100-question test bank for RDH, RDA &
dental students. Covers scope of practice, infection control, unprofessional conduct
penalties, continuing education, ethical scenarios & mandated reporting—updated for
2026/2027 board exams.
Download the 2026/2027 Edition Today – Your Passport to RDH Licensure Success!
, RDH Law & Ethics Test Bank 2026: 100 Practice Questions
1. The primary legal authority that defines the scope of practice for a registered dental
hygienist in California is the:
A) American Dental Hygienists' Association Code of Ethics
B) California Dental Practice Act
C) OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard
D) CDC Guidelines for Infection Control
Answer: B
Explanation: The California Dental Practice Act (CDPA) is the statutory framework that legally
defines the scope of practice, supervision requirements, and authorized duties for dental
hygienists practicing within the state. While federal agencies like OSHA and CDC provide safety
guidelines, and professional associations establish ethical standards, only the Dental Practice Act
carries the force of law governing what dental hygienists may and may not do.
2. If an individual practices dental hygiene without a valid California license, the
punishment is:
A) Imprisonment in a state prison for up to one year and a fine of $500–$1,500
B) Imprisonment in a county jail for up to one year and a fine of $100–$1,500
C) Imprisonment in a federal penitentiary for up to six months and a fine of $1,500
D) Imprisonment in a state jail for five years and a fine of $100–$500
**Answer:** B
**Explanation:** Practicing dental hygiene without a license is a criminal offense punishable by
imprisonment in a county jail for up to one year and a fine ranging from $100 to $1,500. This
penalty reflects the serious nature of unlicensed practice while distinguishing it from more severe
felony-level offenses.
3. A person found guilty of unprofessional conduct is guilty of a __________ and shall be
fined __________ or imprisoned for __________ days, or both.
A) misdemeanor; $500–$1,000; 90–180
B) felony; $100–$600; 60–180
C) felony; $500–$1,000; 90–180
D) misdemeanor; $100–$600; 60–180
,Answer: D
Explanation: Unprofessional conduct under the Dental Practice Act is classified as a
misdemeanor. The penalty includes a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $600,
imprisonment for a term of not less than 60 days nor more than 180 days, or both. This
classification underscores that while unprofessional conduct is serious, it is not elevated to felony
status under most circumstances.
4. Which of the following is NOT considered unprofessional conduct under the California
Dental Practice Act?
A) Aiding or abetting an unlicensed person to practice dentistry
B) Following infection control guidelines
C) Altering patient records with intent to deceive
D) Advertising professional superiority
E) Repeated violations of poor recordkeeping
Answer: B
Explanation: Following infection control guidelines represents compliance with legal and
professional standards, not unprofessional conduct. The other options—aiding unlicensed
practice, record alteration, deceptive advertising, and repeated recordkeeping violations—are
explicitly defined as unprofessional conduct under California law.
5. If a potential licensee violates the integrity of the licensing examination (e.g., copying the
exam, removing it from the testing site) and this is witnessed by another person, what
action must be taken?
A) Report it by written report within one week
B) Report it by phone and written report within two days
C) Report it by phone immediately and written report within two days
D) Report by telephone within two days only
Answer: C
Explanation: Any person witnessing exam subversion must report it immediately by telephone
and follow up with a written report within two days. This requirement ensures prompt action to
maintain the integrity of the licensing examination process. Exam subversion is considered a
misdemeanor offense.
, 6. Evaluate the following statements regarding license discipline: Statement 1: A license
may be revoked, suspended, reprimanded, or placed on probation for unprofessional
conduct, incompetence, gross negligence, repeated negligence, or receiving a license by
mistake. Statement 2: If the licensee is convicted of a crime related to the licensee's
qualifications, functions, or duties, the license may be revoked, suspended, reprimanded, or
placed on probation.
A) Statement 1 is FALSE; Statement 2 is TRUE
B) Both statements are TRUE
C) Both statements are FALSE
D) Statement 1 is TRUE; Statement 2 is FALSE
Answer: B
Explanation: Both statements are accurate. The Dental Hygiene Committee (now the Dental
Hygiene Board of California) has broad disciplinary authority over licensees. Grounds for
discipline include unprofessional conduct, incompetence, gross negligence, repeated negligence,
licensure obtained by mistake, and criminal convictions substantially related to the practice of
dental hygiene.
7. If not renewed every two years, a California RDH license expires at midnight on the:
A) Same day the license was originally issued
B) First day of the licensee's birth month
C) Licensee's actual birth date
D) Last day of the licensee's birth month
Answer: D
Explanation: California RDH licenses expire at midnight on the last day of the licensee's birth
month during each two-year renewal cycle. Licensees must complete all continuing education
requirements and submit renewal applications before this date to maintain active licensure status.
8. The Dental Hygiene Board of California must be notified within _____ days when a
licensee has a change in name.
A) 5 days
B) 10 days
C) 15 days
