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NebraskaLB148109th Legislature 1st and 2nd SessionslegislatureWALLET

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

Sponsored By: Ben Hansen

Signed by Governor

Health and Human Services Committee

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 3 mixed.

Stronger cross-state discipline and investigations

A remote state can limit or remove your Compact Privilege and apply fines; limits in one remote state apply across all remote states. If your home-state license is encumbered, you immediately lose all Compact Privileges until it is restored. If you enter an Alternative Program instead of discipline, you cannot use a Compact Privilege in other states unless they approve it first. States can investigate across state lines, issue subpoenas, keep investigating after a privilege ends, and share important investigative information. Some states may bill you for investigation costs if their laws allow it, and your home state keeps the main authority over the license it issued.

Dentists and hygienists can practice across states

If you hold a qualifying dentist or dental hygienist license in a participating state, you can get a Compact Privilege to work in other participating states. Starting January 1, 2026, Nebraska lets Compact Privilege holders practice here. To get or keep a privilege, you must apply, pay any Commission and state fees, meet any state law test, pass accepted national board exams, graduate from accredited programs, and complete a clinical skills assessment. You must also report any adverse actions and your primary address, accept service of legal papers by mail, and pay renewal fees.

Faster path to a Nebraska license

Nebraska sets clear testing rules for dentists: a DDS or DMD, national board exams, a simulation-based clinical skills exam with periodontal, restorative, prosthodontic, and endodontic parts, and a Nebraska law test. The board reviews exams regularly. If you hold a license from another U.S. jurisdiction, one year of active practice now qualifies you for licensure by endorsement, and accredited residency time can count. You must also meet standards set by the board.

How the Compact is run and funded

The law creates an interstate Commission to run the dentist and hygienist Compact and a shared data system. The Commission makes rules, holds public meetings, and can charge Compact Privilege fees and assess states to fund its budget; it must not spend money it does not have and gets an annual financial review. Participating states must enforce the Compact, share license and discipline data, use criminal background checks, and follow Commission rules. The Compact starts when seven states enact it; states can default or withdraw, but existing privileges are recognized for at least 180 days after notice. Commission staff have immunity and legal defense for official acts, and disputes follow set venues with mediation or federal court options.

Lower compact fees for military families

Active military members and their spouses do not pay the Commission fee for a Compact Privilege. A remote state may also cut or waive its own Compact Privilege fee for them.

Fingerprint checks and fees for new hygienists

New dental hygienist license applicants must submit fingerprints for a national FBI background check. The results go to the state health division. Applicants pay the actual cost of fingerprinting and the background check.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Ben Hansen

    Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 168 • No: 0

legislature vote • 4/10/2025

Final Reading

Yes: 47 • No: 0 • Other: 2

legislature vote • 2/25/2025

Vote

Yes: 43 • No: 0 • Other: 6

legislature vote • 2/7/2025

Vote

Yes: 35 • No: 0 • Other: 14

legislature vote • Unknown

Vote

Yes: 43 • No: 0 • Other: 6

Actions Timeline

  1. Provisions/portions of LB83 amended into LB148 by AM391

    6/6/2025legislature

  2. Approved by Governor on April 14, 2025

    4/14/2025legislature

  3. Presented to Governor on April 10, 2025

    4/10/2025legislature

  4. President/Speaker signed

    4/10/2025legislature

  5. Passed on Final Reading 47-0-2

    4/10/2025legislature

  6. Dispensing of reading at large approved

    4/10/2025legislature

  7. Enrollment and Review ST5 recorded

    3/4/2025legislature

  8. Enrollment and Review ST5 filed

    3/4/2025legislature

  9. Placed on Final Reading with ST5

    3/4/2025legislature

  10. Advanced to Enrollment and Review for Engrossment

    2/25/2025legislature

  11. Rountree AM391 adopted

    2/25/2025legislature

  12. Rountree AM391 filed

    2/25/2025legislature

  13. Placed on Select File

    2/18/2025legislature

  14. Advanced to Enrollment and Review Initial

    2/7/2025legislature

  15. Placed on General File

    2/4/2025legislature

  16. Notice of hearing for January 30, 2025

    1/21/2025legislature

  17. Referred to Health and Human Services Committee

    1/15/2025legislature

  18. Date of introduction

    1/13/2025legislature

Bill Text

  • Introduced

    1/13/2025

    PDF

  • Enrolled / Slip Law

    PDF

  • Final / Enacted

    PDF

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