Free Jurisprudence Exam Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the Jurisprudence Exam practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1A dental student in an accredited New Mexico program performs a clinical procedure on a patient as part of the school's education program. What is the minimum dentist supervision specified by the statutory exemption?

   1. A. Direct supervision by a New Mexico licensed dentist during the educational procedure
   2. B. Indirect supervision by a New Mexico licensed dentist during the educational procedure
   3. C. General supervision by a New Mexico licensed dentist during the educational procedure
   4. D. Collaborative oversight by a New Mexico licensed hygienist during the educational procedure

   Answer: B

   Explanation: Section 61-5A-5(B)(3) permits an enrolled dental student to work in the educational program "under the indirect supervision of a licensed dentist". Indirect dentist supervision is the stated minimum; general supervision or hygienist oversight does not meet that condition.

   Reference: New Mexico Legislature, enacted 2003 SB 453, Section 61-5A-5(B)(3) — Section 4

2. 2Within what period must a New Mexico dental hygienist report a nontraffic felony or misdemeanor conviction to the board office?

   1. A. 10 days
   2. B. 20 days
   3. C. 30 days
   4. D. 60 days

   Answer: C

   Explanation: The 2026 rule requires a written report "within thirty days" and includes conviction of a felony or misdemeanor other than a traffic violation.

   Reference: Nmac 16 5 3 — 16.5.3.8(A) NMAC

3. 3Four New Mexico entities plan to employ or contract with hygienists to provide dental hygiene services. Which entity must first obtain a non-dentist owner license from the board?

   1. A. A state public-health agency providing care in its affiliated clinics.
   2. B. A corporation majority-owned by a New Mexico licensed hygienist.
   3. C. A private investment corporation owned by nonlicensees.
   4. D. A federally qualified health center providing dental services.

   Answer: C

   Explanation: 16.5.9.8 says "a non-dentist owner shall apply to the board for the proper license." The investor-owned dental corporation is within the non-dentist owner definition, while government agencies, majority hygienist-owned corporations, and federally qualified health centers are listed exemptions in 16.5.9.7(B).

   Reference: New Mexico Administrative Code, 16.5.9.8 — 16.5.9.8 NMAC

4. 4Which pair correctly states New Mexico's alternative active-practice routes for collaborative-practice certification?

   1. A. 2,400 hours in the past 18 months; or 3,000 total hours with active practice in two of the past three years
   2. B. 3,000 hours in the past 18 months; or 2,400 total hours with active practice in two of the past three years
   3. C. 2,400 hours in the past three years; or 3,000 total hours in the past 18 months
   4. D. 3,000 hours in the past two years; or 2,400 total hours in the past three years

   Answer: A

   Explanation: The alternatives are "2400 hours of active practice for the past 18 months" or "a total of 3,000 hours of active practice" with active practice in two of the past three years.

   Reference: 16.5.17 NMAC — 16.5.17.8(A)(2)(a)-(b) NMAC

5. 5How many continuing-education hours does a New Mexico dental hygienist need for a full triennial license-renewal cycle?

   1. A. 30 hours
   2. B. 36 hours
   3. C. 45 hours
   4. D. 60 hours

   Answer: C

   Explanation: The current rule states: "Forty five hours of continuing education are required during each triennial renewal cycle."

   Reference: Nmac 16 5 23 2026 — 16.5.23.8 NMAC

6. 6Which activity is included in New Mexico's definition of a dental hygiene-focused assessment?

   1. A. Identifying potential oral disease to develop and communicate a dental-hygiene care plan
   2. B. Making the definitive dental diagnosis that establishes the cause of disease
   3. C. Completing the final fitting and cementation of a fixed appliance
   4. D. Preparing a tooth by removing enamel for a permanent restoration

   Answer: A

   Explanation: A dental hygiene-focused assessment includes "the identification of potential oral disease to develop, communicate, implement and evaluate a plan of oral hygiene care and treatment."

   Reference: 16.5.29 NMAC — 16.5.29.7(B) NMAC

7. 7A dentist assigns a dental assistant a basic supportive procedure that no statute or rule excludes from delegation. What is the minimum dentist supervision specified for this assistant procedure?

   1. A. Direct supervision by the dentist during the basic supportive procedure.
   2. B. Indirect supervision by the dentist during the basic supportive procedure.
   3. C. General supervision by the dentist during the basic supportive procedure.
   4. D. Collaborative supervision by a hygienist during the basic supportive procedure.

   Answer: B

   Explanation: 16.5.39.8 permits basic supportive procedures "if the procedure is performed under the indirect supervision of a dentist" and is not excluded elsewhere. Indirect dentist supervision is the stated minimum for this basic procedure.

   Reference: New Mexico Administrative Code, 16.5.39.8 — 16.5.39.8 NMAC

8. 8A community dental health coordinator completed approved training and seeks authority to perform duties under 16.5.54 NMAC. Which body must certify the coordinator?

   1. A. The New Mexico board of dental health care.
   2. B. The New Mexico dental hygienists committee.
   3. C. The accredited coordinator education program.
   4. D. The Dental Assisting National Board.

   Answer: A

   Explanation: 16.5.50.8 says community dental health coordinators performing 16.5.54 duties "are required to be certified by the board." A program educates CDHC candidates, while the hygienists committee and national dental-assisting body have different roles; none replaces New Mexico board certification.

   Reference: New Mexico Administrative Code, 16.5.50.8 — 16.5.50.8 NMAC

9. 9At triennial renewal, a New Mexico dental office operator assembles records of amalgam-separator operation, maintenance, and amalgam-waste recycling or disposal. How many prior years must those records cover?

   1. A. The previous two years of operation, maintenance, and amalgam-waste records.
   2. B. The previous three years of operation, maintenance, and amalgam-waste records.
   3. C. The previous four years of operation, maintenance, and amalgam-waste records.
   4. D. The previous six years of operation, maintenance, and amalgam-waste records.

   Answer: B

   Explanation: 16.5.58.9(B) requires records of those activities "for the three years prior to their triennial license renewal." Other record-retention periods for different materials do not change this amalgam-waste rule.

   Reference: New Mexico Administrative Code, 16.5.58.9(B) — 16.5.58.9(B) NMAC

10. 10A dental therapist is working under an applicable dental therapy practice agreement. What is the earliest point the therapist may treat a patient relative to a dentist's examination and diagnosis?

    1. A. Before the dentist's examination or diagnosis, subject to the practice agreement.
    2. B. After the dentist's examination but before a diagnosis is recorded.
    3. C. After the dentist's diagnosis but before a separate treatment approval.
    4. D. After the dentist's examination and diagnosis are both completed.

    Answer: A

    Explanation: 16.5.65.8(D) provides that "A dental therapist may treat a patient prior to a dentist’s examination or diagnosis, subject to a dental therapy practice agreement." Because the agreement is in place, the earliest permitted point is before those dentist steps; B, C, and D impose later thresholds.

    Reference: New Mexico Administrative Code, 16.5.65.8(D) — 16.5.65.8(D) NMAC