Exam cheating returns to haunt accused licensee in discipline action 30 years later

A dentist who was caught having a friend take the California dental licensing exam in his place in 1982—but who obtained a California license ten years later—recently tried to argue that it was unfair to hold the 30 year old offense against him in a new disciplinary inquiry. However, the Court of Appeal, Second District, Division 2, of California disagreed.

In an April 1 ruling, the court found that the board's 2012 decision to revoke the dentist's license over charges of gross negligence and unprofessional conduct was authorized and fell within the board's discretion (

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