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IL HB4978

IL HB4978
DENTAL LICENSURE EXAMINATIONS


summary

Introduced
02/04/2026
In Committee
03/04/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

Potential new amendment
104th General Assembly

Bill Summary

Amends the Illinois Dental Practice Act. In provisions concerning the qualifications of applicants for dental licenses and dental hygienist licenses, provides that each applicant shall present satisfactory evidence that the applicant has passed the integrated National Board Dental Examination administered by the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations and has successfully completed an examination conducted by the Central Regional Dental Testing Service, Inc. (CRDTS) or the American Board of Dental Examiners (ADEX). Provides that an applicant who has passed the integrated National Board Dental Examination or the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, respectively, and who has, prior to January 1, 2026, successfully completed an examination conducted by the States Resources for Testing and Assessments, Inc. (SRTA) (formerly, Southern Regional Testing Agency, Inc.), the Western Regional Examining Board (WREB), the Commission on Dental Competency Assessments (CDCA), or the North East Regional Board of Dental Examiners (NERB) shall be eligible to apply for licensure. In provisions concerning examinations for dental licensure, provides that both theoretical and psychomotor (rather than practical) examinations shall be of a character to give a fair test of the qualifications of the applicant to practice dentistry. In provisions concerning expanded function dental assistants, provides that a dental assistant may perform certain services if the dental assistant has completed the training requirements for the service or services. Makes other changes. Effective July 1, 2026.

AI Summary

This bill, effective July 1, 2026, amends the Illinois Dental Practice Act to update the requirements for obtaining a dental or dental hygienist license. It mandates that applicants must pass the integrated National Board Dental Examination and a clinical examination administered by either the Central Regional Dental Testing Service, Inc. (CRDTS) or the American Board of Dental Examiners (ADEX). The bill also recognizes certain previously completed examinations from other regional testing services, such as SRTA, WREB, CDCA, and NERB, if they were completed before January 1, 2026, as valid for licensure. Additionally, it clarifies that dental licensure examinations will now assess both theoretical and "psychomotor" skills, replacing the term "practical," and allows expanded function dental assistants to perform specific services if they have completed the required training for those services.

Committee Categories

Health and Social Services

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

House Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules Committee (on 03/04/2026)

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