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HB2556 • 2026

Dentists and Dentistry

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 56; Title 63, Chapter 5; Title 68 and Title 71, relative to dental hygienists.

Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor
Lamberth, Johnson
Last action
2026-03-18
Official status
Taken off notice for cal in s/c Health Subcommittee of Health Committee
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide additional details about other updates to state laws beyond the residency requirement change.

Changing Residency Requirement for Dental Hygienists on Board

This bill changes the residency requirement for dental hygienists who are appointed to the Tennessee Board of Dentistry from at least five years to at least six years.

What This Bill Does

  • Changes the time a dental hygienist must live and work in Tennessee before being eligible to join the board of dentistry from at least five years to at least six years.
  • Requires new members appointed after July 1, 2026, to meet the updated residency requirement.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Dental hygienists who want to be on the Tennessee Board of Dentistry
  • The Tennessee Board of Dentistry

Terms To Know

Board of Dentistry
A group that oversees dental practices and sets rules for dentists and dental hygienists in Tennessee.
Residency requirement
The amount of time a person must live and work in a state before they can join certain professional boards or committees.

Limits and Unknowns

  • Does not change requirements for dental hygienists who were appointed to the board before July 1, 2026.
  • The bill's status is still active as of March 18, 2026, and it awaits further action in the Health Subcommittee.

Bill History

  1. 2026-03-18 Tennessee General Assembly

    Taken off notice for cal in s/c Health Subcommittee of Health Committee

  2. 2026-03-17 Tennessee General Assembly

    Assigned to General Subcommittee of Senate Health and Welfare Committee

  3. 2026-03-11 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on s/c cal Health Subcommittee for 3/18/2026

  4. 2026-03-11 Tennessee General Assembly

    Action Def. in s/c Health Subcommittee to 3/18/2026

  5. 2026-03-11 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on Senate Health and Welfare Committee calendar for 3/17/2026

  6. 2026-03-04 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on s/c cal Health Subcommittee for 3/11/2026

  7. 2026-03-04 Tennessee General Assembly

    Assigned to s/c Health Subcommittee

  8. 2026-03-04 Tennessee General Assembly

    Ref. to Health Committee - Government Operations for Review

  9. 2026-02-23 Tennessee General Assembly

    Refer to Senate Health & Welfare Committee

  10. 2026-02-23 Tennessee General Assembly

    Recalled from Senate Commerce & Labor Committee

  11. 2026-02-05 Tennessee General Assembly

    P2C, caption bill, held on desk - pending amdt.

  12. 2026-02-05 Tennessee General Assembly

    Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Commerce and Labor Committee

  13. 2026-02-04 Tennessee General Assembly

    Intro., P1C.

  14. 2026-02-03 Tennessee General Assembly

    Filed for introduction

  15. 2026-02-02 Tennessee General Assembly

    Introduced, Passed on First Consideration

  16. 2026-02-02 Tennessee General Assembly

    Filed for introduction

Official Summary Text

Abstract summarizes the bill.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
SENATE BILL 2244
By Johnson

HOUSE BILL 2556
By Lamberth
HB2556
012662
- 1 -

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4;
Title 56; Title 63, Chapter 5; Title 68 and Title 71,
relative to dental hygienists.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 63-5-103(a)(2), is amended by
deleting "period of five (5) years or more" and substituting "period of six (6) years or more".
SECTION 2. This act takes effect July 1, 2026, the public welfare requiring it, and
applies to dental hygienist members appointed to the board of dentistry on or after that date.