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Read. Follow. Verify.Missouri enacts Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact to streamline interstate practice and license portability
Last action · April 14, 2026: Voted Do Pass (S)Sponsors: John Hewkin and 3 others
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What This Bill Would Do
House Bill 1847 adopts the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact, establishing a pathway for qualified dental professionals licensed in participating states to practice in Missouri and other member states without obtaining separate licenses. The measure also sets employment rules for hospitals and non-profit corporations regarding dental staff and modifies out-of-state licensure and military spouse licensing provisions.
Licensed dentists and dental hygienists gain the ability to practice across state lines via a , while hospitals and specified non-profit entities face updated employment and permitting requirements for hiring dental providers.
- House Bill 1847 was introduced in the Missouri House of Representatives during the 2026 Regular Session by Representative John Hewkin. context
- Occupational licensure compacts allow professionals to practice across participating state borders without undergoing repetitive credentialing processes. context
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Dentists
Dentists gain eligibility for interstate compact privileges to practice in remote participating states and face updated employment and judgment protections.
Dental Hygienists
Dental hygienists obtain access to interstate compact privileges and updated credential recognition pathways.
Hospitals
Hospitals are authorized to employ specific types of oral health providers for patient care under defined clinical conditions.
Military Spouses
Military spouses who are licensed professionals benefit from expedited thirty-day license waivers when transferring to Missouri.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Compact Privilege?
How does the bill affect military spouses seeking licensure in Missouri?
Can corporations practice dentistry under this legislation?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently passed chamber. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Law.
Procedural history
23 actions- Apr 14, 2026SenateCommitteeVoted Do Pass (S)
- Apr 14, 2026SenateExecutive Session Held (S)
- Mar 31, 2026SenatePublic Hearing Held (S)
- Mar 30, 2026SenatePublic Hearing Scheduled (S)
- Feb 26, 2026SenateCommitteeSecond read and referred: Emerging Issues and Professional Registration(S)
- Feb 17, 2026SenateReported to the Senate and First Read (S)
Show 17 earlier actions
- Feb 12, 2026HouseFloorThird Read and Passed (H)
- Feb 12, 2026HouseTaken Up for Third Reading (H)
- Feb 10, 2026HousePerfected (H)
- Feb 10, 2026HouseTitle of Bill - Agreed To
- Feb 10, 2026HouseTaken Up for Perfection (H)
- Feb 3, 2026HouseCommitteeReported Do Pass (H)
- Feb 3, 2026HouseCommitteeVoted Do Pass (H)
- Feb 3, 2026HouseExecutive Session Completed (H)
- Jan 29, 2026HouseCommitteeReferred: Rules - Administrative(H)
- Jan 21, 2026HouseCommitteeReported Do Pass (H)
- Jan 20, 2026HouseCommitteeVoted Do Pass (H)
- Jan 20, 2026HouseExecutive Session Completed (H)
- Jan 13, 2026HousePublic Hearing Completed (H)
- Jan 8, 2026HouseCommitteeReferred: Economic Development(H)
- Jan 8, 2026HouseFloorRead Second Time (H)
- Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroducedRead First Time (H)
- Dec 1, 2025HouseIntroducedPrefiled (H)
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Adoption of Interstate Licensing Compact
Missouri is moving toward multi-state occupational licensing frameworks for healthcare by joining the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact.
Connected Entities
Sources
house.mo.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance75How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy20Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz30Current news / social attention level
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