Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact
Updated September 2026
A growing number of states have joined an interstate compact that will let a dentist or dental hygienist licensed in one member state get a privilege to practice in another, without a separate full license application. Here's which states have enacted it, and where the rollout actually stands.
Not yet issuing privileges
The compact became eligible to take effect once seven states had enacted it in April 2024, and a governing commission made up of one representative from each member state has since formed. But the commission is still building the shared licensure data system that compact privileges will run on, and applications aren't open yet. The commission's own estimate has been an 18-to-24-month rollout from activation — check ddhcompact.org for the current timeline before making plans around it.
What the compact does
The Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact is an interstate agreement developed by the Council of State Governments together with the American Dental Association, the American Dental Hygienists' Association, and the U.S. Department of Defense — DoD funds these compacts to make military spouses' professional licenses portable across the frequent moves that come with a service member's career.
Once operational, a dentist or hygienist holding an unencumbered license in a member state will be able to apply for a compact privilege to practice in any other member state through a shared licensure database, rather than filing a separate application with each state's board. The compact doesn't change any state's underlying licensing requirements or scope of practice — it only changes how a practitioner already licensed in one member state gets authorized to practice in another.
Participating states
13 states have enacted the compact as of September 2026. Select your state to check its board page, or see if it's joined below.
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Eligibility once privileges open
The compact sets minimum qualifications that a practitioner must meet to receive a privilege, on top of holding a qualifying license in a member state:
- An unencumbered license in good standing in a state that has joined the compact.
- A CODA-accredited education — graduation from a dental or dental hygiene program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation.
- Passing scores on the National Board Examination and a clinical assessment for licensure.
- A clean FBI background check.
- Any jurisprudence exam the destination state requires of practitioners.
- Required fees set by the destination state and the compact commission.
Compact privilege vs. reciprocity
States already offer licensure by credentials (also called endorsement or, informally, reciprocity) today — a one-time application reviewed individually by the destination state's board, recognizing prior exam results instead of requiring the applicant to sit clinical exams again. See the license requirements guide for how that process works in the meantime.
A compact privilege works differently once it's available: rather than a fresh credentials review each time, a practitioner licensed in one member state draws on a shared database to get authorized in other member states. A practitioner using a compact privilege still has to follow the scope of practice, jurisprudence requirements, and conduct rules of whichever state they're practicing in, and remains subject to that state's board for discipline.
Compact Questions
What is the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact? +
It's an interstate agreement, developed by the Council of State Governments with the American Dental Association, the American Dental Hygienists' Association, and the U.S. Department of Defense, that lets a dentist or dental hygienist licensed in one member state obtain a "compact privilege" to practice in any other member state — without applying for a separate full license in each one.
Is the compact active — can I practice in another state under it right now? +
Not yet. The compact became eligible to operate once seven states had enacted it in April 2024, and a governing commission has since formed. But the commission is still building the shared licensure data system that compact privileges will run on, and applications for privileges are not yet open. The commission's own estimate has been an 18-to-24-month rollout from activation, so check ddhcompact.org for the current timeline before making plans around it.
Which states have joined the compact? +
As of September 2026, 13 states have enacted the compact into law — see the full list below. Several additional states have introduced the legislation but not yet passed it.
How is a compact privilege different from license reciprocity or licensure by credentials? +
Reciprocity and licensure by credentials (endorsement) are what most states already offer today: a one-time application reviewed individually by the destination state's board. A compact privilege, once available, works differently — a dentist or hygienist licensed in one member state will be able to obtain practice privileges in other member states through the compact's shared database, without a separate credentials review in each one.
Do I still have to follow the destination state's rules under a compact privilege? +
Yes. A practitioner using a compact privilege must still follow the scope of practice, jurisprudence requirements, and conduct rules of the state where they're practicing, and remains subject to that state's board for discipline.
What if my state hasn't joined the compact? +
You apply the traditional way — either an initial license application or licensure by credentials (endorsement) if you already hold a license elsewhere. See the license requirements guide for how that process works.
Helpful Guides
License Requirements
See the exams, education, and application steps required to become a licensed dentist or dental hygienist in every state.
Learn more →How to Verify a License
Verify a dentist's or hygienist's license status using each state board's official lookup tool.
Learn more →Disciplinary Actions
How state dental boards investigate and discipline dentists, and how to check a practitioner's public record.
Learn more →