SB2846 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB104 16878 AAS 30288 b

104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
SB2846

Introduced 1/13/2026, by Sen. Javier L. Cervantes

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

225 ILCS 25/9	from Ch. 111, par. 2309
225 ILCS 25/10	from Ch. 111, par. 2310
225 ILCS 25/13	from Ch. 111, par. 2313
225 ILCS 25/16.1	from Ch. 111, par. 2316.1
225 ILCS 25/17.1

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.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning regulation.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Illinois Dental Practice Act is amended by changing Sections 9, 10, 13, 16.1, and 17.1 as follows:

(225 ILCS 25/9) (from Ch. 111, par. 2309)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2031)

Sec. 9. Qualifications of applicants for dental licenses. The Department shall require that each applicant for a license to practice dentistry shall:

(a) (Blank).

(b) Be at least 21 years of age and of good moral character.

(c) (1) Present satisfactory evidence of completion of dental education by graduation from a dental college or school in the United States or Canada approved by the Department. The Department shall not approve any dental college or school which does not require at least (A) 60 semester hours of collegiate credit or the equivalent in acceptable subjects from a college or university before admission, and (B) completion of at least 4 academic years of instruction or the equivalent in an approved dental college or school that is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association; or

(2) Present satisfactory evidence of completion of dental education by graduation from a dental college or school outside the United States or Canada and provide satisfactory evidence that the applicant has: (A) completed a minimum of 2 academic years of general dental clinical training and obtained a doctorate of dental surgery (DDS) or doctorate of dental medicine (DMD) at a dental college or school in the United States or Canada approved by the Department; or (B) met the program requirements approved by rule by the Department.

Nothing in this Act shall be construed to prevent either the Department or any dental college or school from establishing higher standards than specified in this Act.

(d) (Blank).

(e) 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 one of the following regional testing services: the Central Regional Dental Testing Service, Inc. (CRDTS) or the American Board of Dental Examiners (ADEX). , the Southern Regional Testing Agency, Inc. (SRTA), the Western Regional Examining Board (WREB), the Commission on Dental Competency Assessments (CDCA), or the Council of Interstate Testing Agencies (CITA). An applicant who has passed the integrated National Board Dental Examination 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. For purposes of this Section, "successfully completed" means successful completion shall mean that the applicant has achieved a minimum passing score as determined by the applicable regional testing service. The Secretary may suspend a regional testing service under this subsection (e) if, after proper notice and hearing, it is established that (i) the integrity of the examination has been breached so as to make future test results unreliable or (ii) the test is fundamentally deficient in testing clinical competency.

In determining professional capacity under this Section, any individual who has not been actively engaged in the practice of dentistry, has not been a dental student, or has not been engaged in a formal program of dental education during the 5 years immediately preceding the filing of an application may be required to complete such additional testing, training, or remedial education as the Board may deem necessary in order to establish the applicant's present capacity to practice dentistry with reasonable judgment, skill, and safety.

(Source: P.A. 102-93, eff. 1-1-22.)

(225 ILCS 25/10) (from Ch. 111, par. 2310)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2031)

Sec. 10. Examinations for dental licensure. Examination shall be made in writing in all theoretical subjects. Both theoretical and psychomotor practical examinations shall be of a character to give a fair test of the qualifications of the applicant to practice dentistry. The examination papers and all grading thereon, and the grading of the practical work, shall be deemed public documents, and preserved for a period of not less than 2 years after the Department shall have made and published its decisions thereon. All examinations shall be conducted or authorized under fair and wholly impartial methods.

(Source: P.A. 84-365.)

(225 ILCS 25/13) (from Ch. 111, par. 2313)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2031)

Sec. 13. Qualifications of applicants for dental hygienist licenses hygienists. Every person who desires to obtain a license as a dental hygienist shall apply to the Department in writing, upon forms prepared and furnished by the Department. Each application shall contain proof of the particular qualifications required of the applicant, shall be verified by the applicant, under oath, and shall be accompanied by the required examination fee.

The Department shall require that every applicant for a license as a dental hygienist shall:

(1) (Blank).

(2) Be a graduate of high school or its equivalent.

(3) Present satisfactory evidence of having successfully completed 2 academic years of credit at a dental hygiene program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association.

(4) Submit evidence that the applicant holds a currently valid certification to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The Department shall adopt rules establishing criteria for certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The rules of the Department shall provide for variances only in instances where the applicant is a person with a physical disability and therefore unable to secure such certification.

(5) (Blank).

(6) Present satisfactory evidence that the applicant has passed the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination administered by the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations and has successfully completed an examination conducted by one of the following regional testing services: the Central Regional Dental Testing Service, Inc. (CRDTS) or the American Board of Dental Examiners (ADEX). , the Southern Regional Testing Agency, Inc. (SRTA), the Western Regional Examining Board (WREB), or the North East Regional Board (NERB). An applicant who has passed the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination administered by the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations 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 (NERB) shall be eligible to apply for licensure. For the purposes of this Section, "successfully completed" means successful completion shall mean that the applicant has achieved a minimum passing score as determined by the applicable regional testing service. The Secretary may suspend a regional testing service under this item (6) if, after proper notice and hearing, it is established that (i) the integrity of the examination has been breached so as to make future test results unreliable or (ii) the examination is fundamentally deficient in testing clinical competency.

(Source: P.A. 104-151, eff. 1-1-26.)

(225 ILCS 25/16.1) (from Ch. 111, par. 2316.1)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2031)

Sec. 16.1. Continuing education. The Department shall promulgate rules of continuing education for persons licensed under this Act. In establishing rules, the Department shall require a minimum of 48 hours of study in approved courses for dentists during each 3-year licensing period and a minimum of 36 hours of study in approved courses for dental hygienists during each 3-year licensing period.

The Department shall approve only courses that are relevant to the treatment and care of patients, including, but not limited to, clinical courses in dentistry and dental hygiene and nonclinical courses such as patient management, legal and ethical responsibilities, and stress management. The Department shall allow up to 4 hours of continuing education credit hours per license renewal period for volunteer hours spent providing clinical services at, or sponsored by, a nonprofit community clinic, local or state health department, or a charity event. Courses shall not be approved in such subjects as estate and personal financial planning, personal investments, or personal health. Approved courses may include, but shall not be limited to, courses that are offered or sponsored by approved colleges, universities, and hospitals and by recognized national, State, and local dental and dental hygiene organizations, such as the Illinois State Dental Society. When offering a continuing education course, whether at no cost or for a fee, the course provider shall explicitly disclose that the course is an approved course for continuing education in the State of Illinois, as provided in this Section or by the rules adopted by the Department.

No license shall be renewed unless the renewal application is accompanied by an affidavit indicating that the applicant has completed the required minimum number of hours of continuing education in approved courses as required by this Section. The affidavit shall not require a listing of courses. The affidavit shall be a prima facie evidence that the applicant has obtained the minimum number of required continuing education hours in approved courses. The Department shall not be obligated to conduct random audits or otherwise independently verify that an applicant has met the continuing education requirement. The Department, however, may not conduct random audits of more than 10% of the licensed dentists and dental hygienists in any one licensing cycle to verify compliance with continuing education requirements. If the Department, however, receives a complaint that a licensee has not completed the required continuing education or if the Department is investigating another alleged violation of this Act by a licensee, the Department may demand and shall be entitled to receive evidence from any licensee of completion of required continuing education courses for the most recently completed 3-year licensing period. Evidence of continuing education may include, but is not limited to, canceled checks, official verification forms of attendance, and continuing education recording forms, that demonstrate a reasonable record of attendance. The Board shall determine, in accordance with rules adopted by the Department, whether a licensee or applicant has met the continuing education requirements. Any dentist who holds more than one license under this Act shall be required to complete only the minimum number of hours of continuing education required for renewal of a single license. The Department may provide exemptions from continuing education requirements.

(Source: P.A. 103-425, eff. 1-1-24.)

(225 ILCS 25/17.1)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2031)

Sec. 17.1. Expanded function dental assistants.

(a) A dental assistant who has completed training as provided in subsection (b) of this Section in all of the following areas may hold himself or herself out as an expanded function dental assistant:

(1) Taking material or digital scans for final impressions after completing a training program that includes either didactic objectives or clinical skills and functions that demonstrate competency.

(2) Performing pulp vitality test after completing a training program that includes either didactic objectives or clinical skills and functions that demonstrate competency.

(3) Placing, carving, and finishing of amalgam restorations and placing, packing, and finishing composite restorations as allowed under Section 17.

(3.5) Coronal scaling as allowed under Section 17.

(4) Starting the flow of oxygen and monitoring of nitrous oxide-oxygen analgesia as allowed under Section 17.

(5) Coronal polishing and pit and fissure sealants as allowed under Section 17.

(6) Intracoronal temporization of a tooth.

All procedures listed in paragraphs (1) through (6) for dental assistants must be performed under the supervision of a dentist, requiring the dentist authorizes the procedure, remains in the dental facility while the procedure is performed, and approves the work performed by the dental assistant before dismissal of the patient, but the dentist is not required to be present at all times in the treatment room.

A dental assistant may perform any of the services listed in paragraphs (1) through (6) if the dental assistant has completed the training requirements for the service or services.

After the completion of training as provided in subsection (b) of this Section, an expanded function dental assistant may perform any of the services listed in this subsection (a) pursuant to the limitations of this Act.

(b) Certification and training as an expanded function dental assistant must be obtained from one of the following sources: (i) an approved continuing education sponsor; (ii) a dental assistant training program approved by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association; or (iii) a training program approved by the Department.

Training required under this subsection (b) must also include Basic Life Support certification, as described in Section 16 of this Act. Proof of current certification shall be kept on file with the supervising dentist.

(c) Any procedures listed in subsection (a) that are performed by an expanded function dental assistant must be approved by the supervising dentist and examined prior to dismissal of the patient. The supervising dentist shall be responsible for all dental services or procedures performed by the dental assistant.

(d) Nothing in this Section shall be construed to alter the number of dental assistants that a dentist may supervise under paragraph (g) of Section 17 of this Act.

(e) Nothing in this Act shall: (1) require a dental assistant to be certified as an expanded function dental assistant or (2) prevent a dentist from training dental assistants in accordance with the provisions of Section 17 or 17.1 of this Act or rules pertaining to dental assistant duties.

(Source: P.A. 101-162, eff. 7-26-19; 102-936, eff. 1-1-23.)

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect on July 1, 2026.