# North Dakota SB 2217: AN ACT to create and enact a new section to chapter 43-20 and a new section to chapter 43-28 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to volunteer licenses; and to amend and reenact sections 43-20-01.1, 43-20-01.2, 43-20-01.3, 43-20-01.4, 43-20-03, 43-20-05, 43-20-12, 43-20-12.3, 43-20-13, 43-20-13.1, and 43-20-13.2, subsection 6 of section 43-28-02, section 43-28-03, subsection 5 of section 43-28-04, sections 43-28-05, 43-28-06, 43-28-08, 43-28-11, 43-28-13, 43-28-15, 43-28-16.2, and 43-28-18, subsection 1 of section 43-28-18.1, and sections 43-28-18.2 and 43-28-18.3 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the licensing and practice of dental hygienists and dentists, and the board of dental examiners.

North Dakota SB 2217, AN ACT to create and enact a new section to chapter 43-20 and a new section to chapter 43-28 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to volunteer licenses; and to amend and reenact sections 43-20-01.1, 43-20-01.2, 43-20-01.3, 43-20-01.4, 43-20-03, 43-20-05, 43-20-12, 43-20-12.3, 43-20-13, 43-20-13.1, and 43-20-13.2, subsection 6 of section 43-28-02, section 43-28-03, subsection 5 of section 43-28-04, sections 43-28-05, 43-28-06, 43-28-08, 43-28-11, 43-28-13, 43-28-15, 43-28-16.2, and 43-28-18, subsection 1 of section 43-28-18.1, and sections 43-28-18.2 and 43-28-18.3 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the licensing and practice of dental hygienists and dentists, and the board of dental examiners., is a 2025 Regular Session Senate bill sponsored by Sean Cleary (Republican); status signed, last action 2025-03-27 (Filed with Secretary Of State 03/26); PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-10-18).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/ND-SB2217-202501
- As of: 2026-10-18
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: North Dakota SB 2217
- State: North Dakota
- Session: 2025 Regular Session
- Title: AN ACT to create and enact a new section to chapter 43-20 and a new section to chapter 43-28 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to volunteer licenses; and to amend and reenact sections 43-20-01.1, 43-20-01.2, 43-20-01.3, 43-20-01.4, 43-20-03, 43-20-05, 43-20-12, 43-20-12.3, 43-20-13, 43-20-13.1, and 43-20-13.2, subsection 6 of section 43-28-02, section 43-28-03, subsection 5 of section 43-28-04, sections 43-28-05, 43-28-06, 43-28-08, 43-28-11, 43-28-13, 43-28-15, 43-28-16.2, and 43-28-18, subsection 1 of section 43-28-18.1, and sections 43-28-18.2 and 43-28-18.3 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the licensing and practice of dental hygienists and dentists, and the board of dental examiners.
- Status: signed
- Chamber: Senate
- Introduced: 2025-01-16
- Last action: 2025-03-27, Filed with Secretary Of State 03/26
- Sponsor: Sean Cleary (Republican)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Touches household money: yes
- Roll calls: 2 (139 yes, 1 no in all)
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 11

## Summary

No summary available.

## Bill overview: provisions PRIA read

- Easier applications for dental professionals: benefit, medium. Dental and dental hygiene applicants no longer need to apply 30 days before a board meeting. They still need board forms, verification under oath, a recent signed photo, and an application fee. Out-of-state hygienists also lose the 30-day filing deadline before the board exam. They still need three…
- More dental workers can apply fluoride: benefit, low. Dental hygienists and assistants can apply fluoride varnish without registration for this work. They must first complete board-approved training. A physician or licensed dentist must provide direct or general supervision.
- Volunteer licenses for dentists and hygienists: benefit, low. The dental board can issue volunteer licenses to dentists and dental hygienists. Applicants must have previously held a North Dakota license or hold an out-of-state license in good standing. The board can set rules governing these licenses.
- Dental board can set credential fees: cost, low. The dental board can create or change fees through rules for dental and dental hygiene credentials and renewals. These fees are not counted as new fees under the state's statutory fee-limit rule. The law sets no dollar amounts or required increases.
- Returning dentists must notify the board: cost, low. Dentists who have not practiced within five years of licensure must notify the board in writing before practicing in North Dakota. The notice rule also covers holders of a dental-practice privilege. After investigating, the board can reexamine their qualifications. Failure to give notice is grounds…
- Dental penalties include fines and costs: mixed, high. The board can fine a person up to $5,000 for each violation of the covered disciplinary law. Collected fines go to the state general fund. The board can also charge covered licensees or registrants reasonable, actual disciplinary investigation and proceeding costs, including attorney and hearing co…
- Dental professionals face stricter safety duties: mixed, medium. Dentists, covered hygienists, and qualified or registered assistants face expanded grounds for denial or discipline. Grounds include disabilities that materially impair competent work, substance use that prevents safe work, investigation noncooperation, and contracted-program violations. Dentists m…
- Longer dental renewals with late fees: mixed, medium. Dentist and hygienist licenses expire December 31 in odd-numbered years; dental assistant registrations expire December 31 in even-numbered years. Renewal requires an application, renewal fee, and proof of continuing education. Late renewal within 60 days adds a late fee; days 61 through one year r…
- Broader oversight of dental credentials: mixed, low. Dental board members must keep meeting their appointment qualifications throughout their terms. The board's authority now covers licenses, registrations, permits, credentials, and endorsements across dental professions. It can issue, limit, suspend, revoke, cancel, restrict, or restore them. These…
- Dental oversight records gain privacy protections: mixed, low. The dental board can create an alternative-to-discipline program through the professional organization used by the state medical board. Program records and participant identities are exempt from public disclosure. The board can disclose them for public protection, by court order, or as it otherwise…
- Board rules guide dental team duties: mixed, low. Dentists can assign procedures to competent hygienists and assistants under board supervision rules, while keeping full responsibility. Hygienists cannot receive delegated work requiring diagnosis, treatment planning, or cutting hard or soft tissue. The law removes a specific exclusion for certain…

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Sean Cleary (Republican), Senate

## Roll call votes

| Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2025-03-19 | House | Second reading, passed, yeas 92 nays 1 | pass | 92 | 1 |   |
| 2025-02-24 | Senate | Second reading, passed, yeas 47 nays 0 | pass | 47 | 0 |   |

## Actions (16)

- 2025-03-27: Filed with Secretary Of State 03/26 (House)
- 2025-03-26: Signed by Governor 03/25 (Senate)
- 2025-03-24: Sent to Governor (Senate)
- 2025-03-24: Signed by President (Senate)
- 2025-03-24: Signed by Speaker (House)
- 2025-03-20: Returned to Senate (Senate)
- 2025-03-19: Second reading, passed, yeas 92 nays 1 (House)
- 2025-03-18: Reported back, do pass, place on calendar 11 0 3 (House)
- 2025-03-18: Committee Hearing 10:00 (House)
- 2025-03-07: Introduced, first reading, referred Industry, Business and Labor Committee (House)
- 2025-02-25: Received from Senate (House)
- 2025-02-24: Second reading, passed, yeas 47 nays 0 (Senate)
- 2025-02-24: Amendment adopted, placed on calendar (Senate)
- 2025-02-21: Reported back amended, do pass, amendment placed on calendar 5 0 0 (Senate)
- 2025-02-13: Committee Hearing 09:30 (Senate)
- 2025-01-16: Introduced, first reading, referred Workforce Development Committee (Senate)

## Bill text

- Enrollment: [PDF](https://ndlegis.gov/assembly/69-2025/regular/documents/25-0568-07000.pdf)
- FIRST ENGROSSMENT: [PDF](https://ndlegis.gov/assembly/69-2025/regular/documents/25-0568-06000.pdf)
- INTRODUCED: [PDF](https://ndlegis.gov/assembly/69-2025/regular/documents/25-0568-05000.pdf)
- Prepared by the Legislative Council staff for Senator Cleary: [PDF](https://ndlegis.gov/assembly/69-2025/regular/documents/25-0568-05002m.pdf)

## Related bills

- SB 2390: AN ACT to create and enact three new sections to chapter 54-40.1 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to a rural catalyst committee, grant program, and f… (signed)
- HB 1298: AN ACT to amend and reenact sections 39-06.1-06, 39-09-02, 39-09-04, and 39-09-07.1, and subsection 2 of section 40-05-06 of the North Dakota Century Code, rel… (signed)
- HB 1229: AN ACT to create and enact a new subdivision to subsection 2 of section 39-06.1-06 and section 39-10-71.1 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to statuto… (signed)
- SB 2113: AN ACT to create and enact two new sections to chapter 50-06 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to certified community behavioral health clinics and th… (signed)
- SB 2147: AN ACT to create and enact a new subsection to section 15-10-38.4, a new subsection to section 15-62.4-03, a new section to chapter 15-62.4, and a new subsecti… (signed)
- SB 2018: AN ACT to provide an appropriation for defraying the expenses of the department of commerce; to provide an appropriation to the attorney general; to provide an… (signed)

## Sources
- [Enrollment (PDF)](https://ndlegis.gov/assembly/69-2025/regular/documents/25-0568-07000.pdf)
- [FIRST ENGROSSMENT (PDF)](https://ndlegis.gov/assembly/69-2025/regular/documents/25-0568-06000.pdf)
- [INTRODUCED (PDF)](https://ndlegis.gov/assembly/69-2025/regular/documents/25-0568-05000.pdf)
- [Prepared by the Legislative Council staff for Senator Cleary (PDF)](https://ndlegis.gov/assembly/69-2025/regular/documents/25-0568-05002m.pdf)

## Related
- [SB 2390: AN ACT to create and enact three new sections to chapter 54-40.1 of the North D…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/ND-SB2390-202501)
- [HB 1298: AN ACT to amend and reenact sections 39-06.1-06, 39-09-02, 39-09-04, and 39-09-…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/ND-HB1298-202501)
- [HB 1229: AN ACT to create and enact a new subdivision to subsection 2 of section 39-06.1…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/ND-HB1229-202501)
- [SB 2113: AN ACT to create and enact two new sections to chapter 50-06 of the North Dakot…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/ND-SB2113-202501)
- [SB 2147: AN ACT to create and enact a new subsection to section 15-10-38.4, a new subsec…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/ND-SB2147-202501)
- [SB 2018: AN ACT to provide an appropriation for defraying the expenses of the department…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/ND-SB2018-202501)
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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/ND-SB2217-202501 (as of 2026-10-18).