Bill
AB 143
Nevada adopts the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact, allowing licensed professionals to practice in other member states under a Compact Privilege with shared regulatory oversigh
Status / key dates
- Introduced (prefiled): January 29, 2025 (read first Jan 8/29 as printed).
- Passed both houses; presented to Governor and approved June 27, 2025.
- Chaptered as Chapter 12, Statutes of 2025.
- Fiscal note: No effect on local government; effect on the state (no dollar amount specified).
Purpose
- Ratifies and enacts the Dentist and Dental Hygienist (DDH) Interstate Compact into Nevada law.
- Facilitates interstate practice by allowing dentists and dental hygienists licensed in one participating state to obtain a “Compact Privilege” to practice in other participating states without obtaining a separate state license, while preserving each state’s regulatory authority over practice and discipline.
Key provisions
- Compact Privilege: Establishes a pathway for qualified licensees to obtain permission to practice in other Compact member states (a Compact Privilege) in lieu of obtaining a traditional license in each state.
- Eligibility requirements (summary): to qualify for a Compact Privilege a practitioner must generally hold an unencumbered license in a participating state, have passed required examinations and clinical assessments, meet education requirements, submit application and fees, report adverse actions within 30 days, and practice within the scope of the receiving state.
- Legal equivalence: A practitioner authorized to practice under the Compact in Nevada has the same legal status, authority, duties and protections as a Nevada licensee while practicing under the Compact Privilege.
- Adverse actions and enforcement: Participating states retain authority to investigate and take disciplinary or other adverse action against practitioners practicing in their borders under the Compact; Compact members agree to recognize and share disciplinary information.
- Data system and information sharing: The Compact creates a central database to share licensure, disciplinary and investigative information among member states; Nevada’s Board of Dental Examiners is authorized to disclose required information to that system, subject to confidentiality provisions in the Compact.
- Compact Commission: Creates the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact Commission (a joint government agency of member states) to adopt rules, levy assessments on member states, collect fees, operate the data system, and administer the Compact.
- Fiscal/administrative authority: The Commission may impose annual assessments on member states and fees on applicants to cover operational costs.
- Miscellaneous: Contains standard compact provisions (rulemaking, dispute resolution, amendment/withdrawal procedures). The bill notes it requires a two‑thirds legislative vote for enactment of the Compact language.
Who is affected
- Dentists and dental hygienists (particularly those who relocate or practice across state lines, including military families).
- Nevada Board of Dental Examiners and state licensing regulators (administration, data sharing, discipline).
- Patients in underserved or cross‑border communities (potentially increased provider access).
- The state budget may be affected by Compact assessments/administrative costs (no detailed estimates in the materials).
Support and context
- Testimony submitted by Nevada dental hygienist groups, the American Dental Hygienists’ Association, and the U.S. Department of Defense highlighted benefits for workforce mobility, access to care (including rural/military communities), and support for military spouses.
- Proponents emphasize public safety protections through shared disciplinary information and retained state regulatory authority.
Implementation notes
- The Compact becomes operative for interstate mobility as states ratify and join the Compact; formation/operation of the Compact Commission and the central data system depend on sufficient states joining and Commission rulemaking.
- Practitioners must apply for Compact Privileges and meet receiving‑state requirements (including any state‑specific law/rule assessments) before practicing under the Compact.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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