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Senate bill · S8401 (2025-26)

Expands how applicants may qualify for a license to be a dentist

New York State Senate

Same as A10753, the matching bill in the Assembly.

PassedLatest action Jun 4, 2026

Sponsor: Luis R. Sepúlveda (State Senator, District 32, Democratic)

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From NY Open Legislation, the NY Senate and Assembly, and official rosters. This record was last updated Oct 23, 2026. About our data

Summary

Expands how applicants may qualify for a license to be a dentist to include postdoctoral specialty programs and advanced education programs in general dentistry.

Summary from NY Open Legislation. How we handle summaries

Amends the Education Law.

Purpose, from the sponsor's memo

To improve access to dental care for underprivileged communities and reduce unnecessary delays in licensure by allowing residents in multi- year CODA-accredited specialty programs to apply for licensure after completing the first year and passing the ADEX exam. This policy was adopted by the delegates of the New York State Dental Association (NYSDA) at the 2025 House of Delegates as Resolution 10.

Filed with the bill. Read it on nysenate.gov (opens in a new tab)

Where it stands

Passed the legislature and is awaiting a signature.

  1. Introduced
  2. In committee
  3. Up for a vote
  4. Passed one chamber
  5. Passed
  6. Enacted

Committee

Higher Education · New York State Assembly

Also referred to Higher Education · New York State Senate, Rules · New York State Assembly, Rules · New York State Senate, Ways and Means · New York State Assembly.

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Cosponsors

Showing the cosponsors who are on Agora, A to Z. The official record may list more.

Read on NY Senate (opens in a new tab)
  • Democratic2

Shown in neutral colors by design; Agora is non-partisan.

The sponsor's argument

Why Luis R. Sepúlveda says this is needed

Current licensure law requires specialty residents to complete their entire program before applying for a license, which causes financial hardship and restricts access to care. The proposed change will reduce economic strain, enable dental specialists to practice sooner, and expand care to underserved populations, especially Medicaid recipients. Residents in multi-year specialty programs can face licensing delays of up to six months, during which they are unable to obtain Medicaid credentialing and begin treating underprivileged populations in New York. As a result, many are forced to take positions that do not involve working with those most in need. This delay also creates inequities in the job market, as residents who have already received a New York State Dental License have an unfair advantage over those still finishing their training, despite being equally qualified to provide care upon completion of their program. New York already has a shortage of specialists, especially in underprivileged areas. This bill will help keep graduates in the state and allow them to apply for their first jobs in the communities where they are most needed.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.

Recorded votes

  • Vote: Floor vote

    NY SenateJun 2, 2026Result: passed

    (61) (0) (0) (2)

  • Vote: Committee vote · Higher Education

    Senate Higher EducationApr 21, 2026Result: passed

    (11) (0) (0) (0)

Full history

  1. Jun 4, 2026

    Ordered to Third Reading Rules CAL.510

    ORDERED TO THIRD READING RULES CAL.510

    NY Assembly

  2. Jun 4, 2026

    Passed a chamber

    PASSED ASSEMBLY

    NY Assembly

  3. Jun 4, 2026

    Reported out of committee

    REPORTED REFERRED TO RULES

    NY Assembly

  4. Jun 4, 2026

    Substituted

    SUBSTITUTED FOR A10753A

    NY Assembly

  5. Jun 2, 2026

    Sent to the executive

    DELIVERED TO ASSEMBLY

    NY Senate

Show full history (12 earlier events)
  1. Jun 2, 2026

    Passed a chamber

    PASSED SENATE

    NY Senate

  2. Jun 2, 2026

    Reference Changed to Ways and Means

    REFERENCE CHANGED TO WAYS AND MEANS

    NY Assembly

  3. Jun 2, 2026

    Referred to committee

    REFERRED TO WAYS AND MEANS

    NY Assembly

  4. May 27, 2026

    Amend and Recommit to Higher Education

    AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO HIGHER EDUCATION

    NY Assembly

  5. May 27, 2026

    Amended

    AMENDED ON THIRD READING 8401B

    NY Senate

  6. Apr 27, 2026

    Advanced to Third Reading

    ADVANCED TO THIRD READING

    NY Senate

  7. Apr 22, 2026

    2ND Report CAL.

    2ND REPORT CAL.

    NY Senate

  8. Apr 21, 2026

    1ST Report CAL.770

    1ST REPORT CAL.770

    NY Senate

  9. Mar 27, 2026

    Referred to committee

    REFERRED TO HIGHER EDUCATION

    NY Assembly

  10. Mar 17, 2026

    Amend and Recommit to Higher Education

    AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO HIGHER EDUCATION

    NY Senate

  11. Jan 7, 2026

    Referred to committee

    REFERRED TO HIGHER EDUCATION

    NY Senate

  12. Jun 9, 2025

    Referred to committee

    REFERRED TO RULES

    NY Senate

Read the record