# Florida FHLR practice questions: Licensure, renewal and CE Five original Florida FHLR practice questions on licensure, renewal and CE, each answered on this page with a rationale and a source. Last updated: 2026-07-27. ## Question 1 A dentist authorizes a dental hygienist to perform a prophylaxis for a patient of record. The dentist remains on the premises during the procedure but is called away for an emergency in another wing of the building and does not check the patient before they are dismissed. This arrangement is best described as: - A. Indirect supervision. - B. Direct supervision. - C. General supervision. - D. Personal supervision. **Answer A:** Indirect supervision. Section 466.003(10), F.S., defines indirect supervision as authorization and presence on premises. Direct supervision, defined in s. 466.003(9), would require pre-dismissal approval. **Common trap:** Conflating direct and indirect supervision or assuming all prophylaxis requires direct supervision. Source: [s. 466.003, F.S. — Definitions](http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0400-0499/0466/Sections/0466.003.html) ## Question 2 A dental hygiene candidate fails the periodontics portion of the clinical exam but passes all other portions. She successfully passes the laws and rules exam. Fourteen months after her failure, she reapplies to retake only the failed periodontics portion. - A. She may retake only the failed portion if she pays a reexamination fee. - B. She must retake the entire clinical exam because more than 12 months have passed. - C. She must complete 20 hours of remedial clinical instruction before reapplying. - D. She is only required to retake the portion she failed regardless of timing. **Answer B:** She must retake the entire clinical exam because more than 12 months have passed. s. 466.009(3), F.S. allows a portion-only retake "if she or he reapplies within 12 months." At 14 months, the entire exam must be retaken. C. is for first-time clinical failures from unaccredited schools. D. ignores the statutory time limit. **Common trap:** Confusing the 12-month reapplication window with the 18-month overall clinical completion window. Source: [s. 466.009, F.S. — Reexamination](http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0400-0499/0466/Sections/0466.009.html) ## Question 3 A dental hygienist is preparing her continuing education dossier for biennial renewal. She has 24 hours of approved clinical courses and holds a current basic life support (BLS) certification obtained via a fully online course with no in-person component. What is the status of her renewal? - A. Deficient, because CPR/BLS training must include an in-person hands-on skills assessment to be accepted. - B. Deficient, because CPR/BLS training must provide at least 4 credit hours to count toward the 24-hour total. - C. Compliant, as long as the online course was provided by the American Heart Association or the Red Cross. - D. Compliant, because basic life support certification is only required for dentists and hygiene supervisors. **Answer A:** Deficient, because CPR/BLS training must include an in-person hands-on skills assessment to be accepted. Rule 64B5-12.013 requires CPR training to be in person or via a blended learning course with hands-on skill competency completed in person; online-only training is not accepted. Furthermore, CPR does not count toward the biennial hour totals (30 or 24). **Common trap:** Believing online-only certification is sufficient due to third-party vendor claims, or assuming CPR counts toward the 24-hour requirement. Source: [Fla. Admin. Code R. 64B5-12.013 — Continuing Education Requirements; Specific Continuing Education Course Requirements; and Cardiopulmonary…](https://www.flrules.org/gateway/ruleNo.asp?id=64B5-12.013) ## Question 4 During her initial attempt at the ADEX Dental Hygiene Examination, an applicant successfully passes all clinical portions except for the prophylaxis procedure, which she fails. She reapplies for reexamination three months later. - A. The applicant must retake the entire practical or clinical examination. - B. She must retake only the prophylaxis portion since she reapplied within 12 months. - C. She must complete one academic semester of clinical coursework before retaking. - D. The applicant is only required to retake the prophylaxis and laws and rules exams. **Answer A:** The applicant must retake the entire practical or clinical examination. Section 466.009(3), F.S. explicitly excludes prophylaxis failures from the partial-retake rule. If she fails prophylaxis, she must retake the entire exam regardless of timing. B. ignores this exception. C. is for three-time failures. D. incorrectly includes the L&R exam in the reset. **Common trap:** Applying the general "partial-retake" rule for hygienists without accounting for the prophylaxis exception. Source: [s. 466.009, F.S. — Reexamination](http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0400-0499/0466/Sections/0466.009.html) ## Question 5 A dental hygienist inadvertently fails to renew her license and continues to see patients for fourteen months after the license became delinquent. Upon discovery of the lapse, the Department of Health pursues enforcement. How is this conduct graded under Section 456.065, F.S.? - A. Administrative citation of $500 only. - B. First-degree misdemeanor. - C. Second-degree felony. - D. Third-degree felony. **Answer D:** Third-degree felony. Section 456.065(2)(d), F.S., differentiates between short-term lapses (less than 12 months, misdemeanor) and long-term lapses (12 months or more, third-degree felony). **Common trap:** Believing all delinquent-license practice is a misdemeanor regardless of the length of the lapse. Source: [s. 456.065, F.S. — Unlicensed practice of a health care profession; intent; cease and desist notice; penalties; enforcement; citations; fees;…](http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0400-0499/0456/Sections/0456.065.html) ## Next step [Take the free 15-question FHLR practice test](https://dentovio.com/florida-dental-hygiene-laws-rules/free-practice-test) Official reference: [Chapter 466, Florida Statutes — Dentistry, Dental Hygiene, and Dental Laboratories](http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0400-0499/0466/0466.html). Original exam-style questions written for study, never recalled exam content. Independent educational preparation, not legal advice, and not affiliated with or endorsed by the Florida Board of Dentistry. Confirm current requirements with the Board.