What is the role of the state legislature regarding professional boards?

• A. To issue licenses to professionals
• B. To establish authority and structure, define scope of practice, provide oversight, and approve changes
• C. To conduct annual inspections of dental offices
• D. To adjudicate disciplinary cases

Answer: (B)

The state legislature shapes how professionals are regulated by creating the framework that governs boards. It passes laws that establish the board’s existence and authority, defines the scope of practice, provides ongoing oversight (such as budgeting, reporting, and sunset reviews), and approves changes to statutes that affect how the profession is regulated. Within that legal framework, the board handles licensing, rule enforcement, investigations, and disciplinary actions. Licensing is carried out by the board under statutory authority, inspections are carried out by the board or the Department of Health as directed by statute, and disciplinary decisions are made by the board through hearings (not by the legislature). In Florida, for example, the Board of Dentistry operates under statutes enacted by the legislature and may propose rule changes that implement those statutes, while the legislature retains the power to modify the governing laws.