Dental compact states
13 states have enacted the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact. No compact privilege has been issued in any of them.
Can I use a dental compact privilege yet?
No — not in any of the 13 member states. The commission states that the compact has reached activation status but that compact privileges are not yet being issued, with an implementation runway of 18 to 24 months. Until then, practicing in another state means holding that state’s license.
DDH Compact Commission — current status ↗Last reviewed 2026-09-22
The 13 states that have enacted it
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Maine
- Minnesota
- Nebraska
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Tennessee
- Virginia
- Washington
- Wisconsin
Not a member (38)
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- California
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
Where this sits among the compacts
Enacted-but-not-operating is the normal middle stage. Social work and cosmetology are in the same position; counseling, occupational therapy and ASLP have begun switching states on one at a time; only nursing and physical therapy are mature. See every compact compared by state.
Frequently asked questions
13 have enacted it: Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin. Oklahoma was the thirteenth, in May 2026.
No. The commission states that the compact has reached activation status but compact privileges are not yet being issued, and describes an implementation runway of 18 to 24 months. Until privileges are available, practicing in another state means holding that state’s license.
Yes — both. It is one of the few compacts to cover a profession and its associated credential under a single agreement, in the way the Nurse Licensure Compact covers RNs and LPN/VNs together.
It is at an early stage. Several compacts are in the same position — enacted in a dozen or more states with nothing issued yet — while nursing and physical therapy are mature enough that most member states actually work. Enactment first and operation much later is the normal pattern, not a warning sign.