Louisiana adopts dental licensure compact
Louisiana has become the first state to adopt the Interstate Dental & Dental Hygiene Licensure Compact (IDDHL), following unanimous legislative support for HB 543, signed into law in July 2025. The compact—crafted by the American Association of Dental Boards—establishes a voluntary, expedited pathway for dentists and dental hygienists to obtain professional licenses in multiple member states, while upholding patient safety through uniform competency standards. To participate, practitioners must either graduate from a CODA‑accredited dental program and pass the ADEX exam or maintain five years of practice following a regional licensure exam. Among its key features, the compact streamlines licensing, enhances provider mobility, improves access to dental care in underserved areas, and offers cost-effective implementation for states. Louisiana’s membership also enables use of a shared AADB Licensure Repository for license verification and disciplinary records. Several other states, including Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, and Mississippi, are currently considering or have already enacted similar legislation.