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LB 148

Adopt the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact and change requirements for licensure and reciprocity under the Dentistry Practice Act

109th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Ben Hansen

Nebraska adopts the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact to allow portable licenses across participating states, with a national exam, faster reciprocity, and background checks.

Provisions/portions of LB83 amended into LB148 by AM391
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Bill Summary · LB 148

Summary — LB 148 (2025)

Status: Enacted (Approved by Governor April 14, 2025)
Introduced by: Sen. Ben Hansen
Primary subject: Dentistry Practice Act; adoption of the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact; licensure and reciprocity requirements

Main purpose

LB 148 updates Nebraska’s Dentistry Practice Act to (1) adopt the interstate Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact, (2) modernize and nationalize dental licensure examination requirements, (3) shorten the time-in-practice required for licensure by reciprocity, and (4) require certain criminal background checks consistent with the Uniform Credentialing Act.

Key provisions

  • Adoption of the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact

    • Establishes a Compact enabling dentists and dental hygienists licensed in a Participating State to obtain a “Compact Privilege” to practice in other Participating States without a separate full license.
    • Creates a Compact Commission (one commissioner per Participating State), a data system for sharing licensure and disciplinary information, and rules to govern Compact operation.
    • Definitions and standards address scope of practice, adverse actions, alternative programs, jurisprudence requirements, and military spouse relocation facilitation.
    • Requires criminal background checks (submission of fingerprints/biometrics for FBI and state criminal history checks) as part of licensing under the Compact framework.

  • Changes to Nebraska licensure examinations (amendment to section 38-1117)

    • Requires applicants to pass the Integrated National Board Dental Examination (Parts I and II) as constructed/ administered by the ADA Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations.
    • Replaces the statutory reference to regional/state practical exams (e.g., Central Regional Dental Testing Service) with a standardized national simulation-based or manikin-based psychomotor clinical competency examination approved by the Nebraska Board of Dentistry.
    • Required components: periodontal, restorative, prosthodontic, and endodontic components and a remediation policy for candidate deficiencies.
    • The Board may review approved examinations annually and must review them at least every three years.

  • Reciprocity/time-in-practice (amendment to section 38-1120)

    • Reduces the required active practice under an out-of-state license from three years to one year (with one year required to be within the three years immediately preceding the application).

Who is affected

  • Dentists and dental hygienists seeking Nebraska licensure or seeking to practice in Nebraska via Compact Privilege.
  • Applicants licensed elsewhere (reciprocity applicants) benefit from the reduced time-in-practice requirement.
  • Nebraska Board of Dentistry (new exam approval and review responsibilities).
  • Regional practical testing services (statutory references replaced by national simulation/manikin testing requirement).
  • Patients and employers (potential increase in practitioner mobility and access to care).
  • Military members and spouses (Compact includes relocation facilitation).

Procedural/timeline notes

  • Committee action: Advanced from Health & Human Services Committee (Jan 30, 2025).
  • Floor: Passed Final Reading 47-0-2 (April 10, 2025).
  • Presented to Governor April 10, 2025; approved April 14, 2025.
  • AM391 (Rountree) amended the bill to insert the Compact and related provisions; enrollment changes filed (ST5).
  • Fiscal notes were filed for LB 148 (dates available in legislative record); specific fiscal impacts not provided in the documents summarized here.

Additional notes

  • The bill harmonizes statutory references and repeals the original versions of sections 38‑1117 and 38‑1120.
  • The Compact creates an interstate administrative structure; Nebraska’s participation means Compact rules and data sharing will apply to Nebraska licensees once the state is admitted to the Compact commission and Compact rules are implemented.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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