California RDH Law and Ethics exam
Questions and Answers 2026
A person who is found guilty of unprofessional conduct is guilty of a _____________ and shall
be fined _______________ or imprisoned for ____________ days and/or fined and imprisoned.
-misdemeanor; $500-$100; 90-180
-felony; $100-$600; 60-180
-felony; $500-$1000; 90-180
-misdemeanor; $100-$600; 60-180 - ANSWER-misdemeanor; $100-$600; 60-180
Unprofessional conduct includes all of the following EXCEPT one. Which one is the
EXCEPTION?
-Aid or abet a licensed person to practice dentistry
unlawfully
-Follow infection control guidelines
-Alter patient records with intent to deceive
-Advertising of professional superiority
-Repeated violations of poor recording keeping - ANSWER-Follow infection control guidelines
If someone practices dental hygiene without a license, what is the punishment?
-Imprisonment in a state prison for up to one year & fined $500-$1,500
-Imprisonment in a county jail for up to one year & fined $100-$1,500
-Imprisonment in a federal penitentiary for up to 6 months & fined $1,500
-Imprisonment in a state jail for 5 years & fined $100-$500 - ANSWER-Imprisonment in a
county jail for up to one year & fined $100-$1,500.
If a potential licensee violates the integrity of the licensing examination, through copying the
exam, removing it from the testing site, etc., and this is witnessed by another, what action needs
to be taken?
-Report it by written report within a week
-Report it by phone and written report within 2 days
,-Report it by phone immediately and written report within 2 days
-Report by telephone within 2 days - ANSWER-Report it by phone immediately and written
report within 2 days
A license may be revoked or suspended, or may be reprimanded or placed on probation by the
committee for unprofessional conduct, incompetence, gross negligence, or repeated negligence
or receiving a license by mistake.
If the licensee is convicted of a crime related to the licensee's qualification, functions or duties, it
may be revoked, suspended or reprimanded or placed on probation
-The first statement is FALSE, the second statement is TRUE
-Both statements are TRUE
-Both statements are FALSE
-The first statement is TRUE, the second statement is FALSE - ANSWER-Both statements are
TRUE
Each renewal cycle, the licensee is required to obtain 25 continuing education units (CEU's).
These units may have 20% of the 25 CEU's based on patient care and up to 80% in other
categories related to dentistry (office production, practice management, etc.)
-The first statement is FALSE, the second statement is TRUE
-Both statements are TRUE
-Both statements are FALSE
-The first statement is TRUE, the second statement is FALSE - ANSWER-The first statement is
TRUE, the second statement is FALSE
It is a criminal offense to perform licensed duties with an expired, cancelled or inactive license.
-True
-False - ANSWER-true
A registered dental hygienist (RDH) or a registered dental hygienist in alternative practice
(RDHAP) is permitted to perform, which of the following, as long as the appropriate level of
supervision is followed: (choose as many as you like)
-Take impressions for bleaching trays
-Aerosol topical anesthesia
-Dental hygiene assessment
-Apply non-caustic topical agents
-Supra and subgingival scaling - ANSWER-All except Aerosol topical anesthesia
, In a public health setting, the registered dental hygienist may apply fluoride treatments and
dental sealants in addition to oral screenings, without supervision.
The registered dental hygienist may submit or allow to submitted, any insurance or third-party
claims for patient services performed in the public health care setting.
-The first statement is FALSE, the second statement is TRUE
-Both statements are TRUE
-Both statements are FALSE
-The first statement is TRUE, the second statement is FALSE - ANSWER-Both statements are
TRUE
If a hygienist is licensed in California, he/she may perform the duties of a registered dental
assistant (RDA). The practice of dental hygiene includes assessment and development, planning,
and implementation of a dental hygiene care plan.
-The first statement is FALSE, the second statement is TRUE
-Both statements are TRUE
-Both statements are FALSE
-The first statement is TRUE, the second statement is FALSE - ANSWER-The first statement is
FALSE, the second statement is TRUE
An oral prophylaxis includes scaling supra and subgingival calculus to obtain a smooth root
surface, which includes root planing of pockets.
The dentist is not required to be on the premises when the registered dental hygienist is
performing an oral prophylaxis
-The first statement is FALSE, the second statement is TRUE
-Both statements are TRUE
-Both statements are FALSE
-The first statement is TRUE, the second statement is FALSE - ANSWER-The first statement is
FALSE, the second statement is TRUE
Dentists and dental auxillaries are required to complete all of the following continuing education
courses(s) for each 2-year renewal period EXCEPT one. Which one is the EXCEPTION?
-Infection control
-California Dental Law
-Law and ethics exam
-Healthcare provider Basic Life Support - ANSWER-Law and ethics exam
According to the California Dental Practice Act, it is within legal limits to write a prescription
for a controlled substance to one's self
Questions and Answers 2026
A person who is found guilty of unprofessional conduct is guilty of a _____________ and shall
be fined _______________ or imprisoned for ____________ days and/or fined and imprisoned.
-misdemeanor; $500-$100; 90-180
-felony; $100-$600; 60-180
-felony; $500-$1000; 90-180
-misdemeanor; $100-$600; 60-180 - ANSWER-misdemeanor; $100-$600; 60-180
Unprofessional conduct includes all of the following EXCEPT one. Which one is the
EXCEPTION?
-Aid or abet a licensed person to practice dentistry
unlawfully
-Follow infection control guidelines
-Alter patient records with intent to deceive
-Advertising of professional superiority
-Repeated violations of poor recording keeping - ANSWER-Follow infection control guidelines
If someone practices dental hygiene without a license, what is the punishment?
-Imprisonment in a state prison for up to one year & fined $500-$1,500
-Imprisonment in a county jail for up to one year & fined $100-$1,500
-Imprisonment in a federal penitentiary for up to 6 months & fined $1,500
-Imprisonment in a state jail for 5 years & fined $100-$500 - ANSWER-Imprisonment in a
county jail for up to one year & fined $100-$1,500.
If a potential licensee violates the integrity of the licensing examination, through copying the
exam, removing it from the testing site, etc., and this is witnessed by another, what action needs
to be taken?
-Report it by written report within a week
-Report it by phone and written report within 2 days
,-Report it by phone immediately and written report within 2 days
-Report by telephone within 2 days - ANSWER-Report it by phone immediately and written
report within 2 days
A license may be revoked or suspended, or may be reprimanded or placed on probation by the
committee for unprofessional conduct, incompetence, gross negligence, or repeated negligence
or receiving a license by mistake.
If the licensee is convicted of a crime related to the licensee's qualification, functions or duties, it
may be revoked, suspended or reprimanded or placed on probation
-The first statement is FALSE, the second statement is TRUE
-Both statements are TRUE
-Both statements are FALSE
-The first statement is TRUE, the second statement is FALSE - ANSWER-Both statements are
TRUE
Each renewal cycle, the licensee is required to obtain 25 continuing education units (CEU's).
These units may have 20% of the 25 CEU's based on patient care and up to 80% in other
categories related to dentistry (office production, practice management, etc.)
-The first statement is FALSE, the second statement is TRUE
-Both statements are TRUE
-Both statements are FALSE
-The first statement is TRUE, the second statement is FALSE - ANSWER-The first statement is
TRUE, the second statement is FALSE
It is a criminal offense to perform licensed duties with an expired, cancelled or inactive license.
-True
-False - ANSWER-true
A registered dental hygienist (RDH) or a registered dental hygienist in alternative practice
(RDHAP) is permitted to perform, which of the following, as long as the appropriate level of
supervision is followed: (choose as many as you like)
-Take impressions for bleaching trays
-Aerosol topical anesthesia
-Dental hygiene assessment
-Apply non-caustic topical agents
-Supra and subgingival scaling - ANSWER-All except Aerosol topical anesthesia
, In a public health setting, the registered dental hygienist may apply fluoride treatments and
dental sealants in addition to oral screenings, without supervision.
The registered dental hygienist may submit or allow to submitted, any insurance or third-party
claims for patient services performed in the public health care setting.
-The first statement is FALSE, the second statement is TRUE
-Both statements are TRUE
-Both statements are FALSE
-The first statement is TRUE, the second statement is FALSE - ANSWER-Both statements are
TRUE
If a hygienist is licensed in California, he/she may perform the duties of a registered dental
assistant (RDA). The practice of dental hygiene includes assessment and development, planning,
and implementation of a dental hygiene care plan.
-The first statement is FALSE, the second statement is TRUE
-Both statements are TRUE
-Both statements are FALSE
-The first statement is TRUE, the second statement is FALSE - ANSWER-The first statement is
FALSE, the second statement is TRUE
An oral prophylaxis includes scaling supra and subgingival calculus to obtain a smooth root
surface, which includes root planing of pockets.
The dentist is not required to be on the premises when the registered dental hygienist is
performing an oral prophylaxis
-The first statement is FALSE, the second statement is TRUE
-Both statements are TRUE
-Both statements are FALSE
-The first statement is TRUE, the second statement is FALSE - ANSWER-The first statement is
FALSE, the second statement is TRUE
Dentists and dental auxillaries are required to complete all of the following continuing education
courses(s) for each 2-year renewal period EXCEPT one. Which one is the EXCEPTION?
-Infection control
-California Dental Law
-Law and ethics exam
-Healthcare provider Basic Life Support - ANSWER-Law and ethics exam
According to the California Dental Practice Act, it is within legal limits to write a prescription
for a controlled substance to one's self
