Relates to requirements for licensure as a dentist
This bill creates a new pathway for foreign-trained dentists to become licensed in New York. It allows dentists licensed outside the U.S. (who don't qualify for standard endorsement) to work under a limited permit in underserved community health centers after meeting requirements: five years of dental practice experience, passing a competency exam, and completing a supervised preceptorship program. After five years of practice under this permit in qualifying facilities, they may apply for full state licensure. The bill directly affects international dental graduates seeking to practice in New York, particularly in areas with dental health shortages.
Bill status
died
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Jan 2026
Senate Passage
Jun 2025
Assembly Passage
Governor
Introduced Jan 31, 2025
Last action Jan 7, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
S3966
→
S3966A
·
4 edits
MODERATE
This bill amends the requirements for issuing limited permits to foreign dentists who wish to work in underserved areas of New York. The primary change is that the new version expands eligibility to include dentists licensed outside the United States who are not eligible for licensure by endorsement, while removing the previous requirement that they must be licensed in another jurisdiction. It also simplifies the list of qualifications by removing the specific mention of accrediting organizations and the requirement for a preliminary competency examination.
Scope change
The bill's scope of eligibility was broadened to include international dentists who cannot obtain licensure through standard endorsement processes, whereas the original version was limited to dentists licensed in other jurisdictions.
ELIGIBILITY
The requirement for the applicant to be licensed in a jurisdiction other than New York was changed to allow applicants licensed outside the United States who are ineligible for licensure by endorsement.
REQUIREMENT
The specific requirement that the applicant must have completed a dental program accredited by an accepted organization was removed.
The requirement for the applicant to have completed a preliminary competency examination was removed.
The list of qualifications for the limited permit was condensed by removing the accreditation and examination requirements.
Floor votes · Senate Jun 11, 2025
How they voted
57–2
Passed · 4 other
Total votes 63
Jun 11, 2025
D
Democratic41
90% Yea
R
Republican22
90% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
12
Key actions
3
Committee
3
Amendments
2
Jan 7, 2026
Committee
REFERRED TO HIGHER EDUCATION
upper
Jun 11, 2025
Committee
REFERRED TO HIGHER EDUCATION
lower
Jun 11, 2025
Upper · Passed
PASSED SENATE
upper
Apr 11, 2025
Upper · Passed
PRINT NUMBER 3966A
upper
Apr 11, 2025
Upper · Passed
AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO HIGHER EDUCATION
upper
Jan 31, 2025
Committee
REFERRED TO HIGHER EDUCATION
upper
1 primary · 3 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Toby Stavisky
DDemocratic
Co
Jessica Scarcella-Spanton
DDemocratic
Co
Pat Fahy
DDemocratic
Co
Robert Jackson
DDemocratic/Working Families
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