Expands number of members on the NC State Board of Dental Examiners (Dental Board) from six to ten members under GS 90-22, as follows: (1) six dentist members licensed in the State (was, four); (2) two State-licensed dental hygienists; and (3) two public consumer members who are citizens of, and reside in the State (was, one). Now requires that dentists and dental hygienists members be actively engaged in the practice of dentistry in the State for at least five years immediately prior to their appointment to the Dental Board. Adds eight new requirements for the public consumer members, including that they not be licensed to practice in any dental profession (currently, just can’t be licensed dentists or dental hygienists); that they have no financial interest in the provision of dental services, that they not be affiliated with or employed by the Dental Board or any Dental Board member, and that they are not the spouse of a dentist or dental hygienist. Limits member terms to two three-year terms (was, limit on no more than two consecutive terms). Adds statement of public interest that includes how State officials must possess and exercise power to review the acts of private parties and disapprove those that fail to accord with State policy. Makes clarifying, conforming, and technical changes.

No longer allows for Dental Board members to be elected to the board. Instead, provides for an appointment process in new GS 90-22A, with four members appointed by the Governor (two dentists, one dental hygienist, and one public consumer); four members appointed by the General Assembly (two dentists by the Speaker of the House and two by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate); and two members appointed by the Commissioner of Labor (one dental hygienist and one public consumer). Provides for per diem compensation and reimbursement for travel and subsistence under GS 93B-5, for vacancies, and removal by the appointing authority for neglect of duty, incompetence, or unprofessional conduct. Sets forth officers of the Dental Board, including the chair (a licensed dentist), a vice-chair, and other officers deemed necessary by the Dental Board. Requires annual officer elections by the Dental Board. Repeals provisions pertaining to the Board of Dental Elections (GS 90-22(c) through (e)).

Makes conforming changes to GS 90-43 (Dental Board expanses) removing provisions pertaining to per diem expenses not to exceed $100 per day.

Provides for transition of Dental Board members after the current members finish their terms. Sets forth order of appointment for (1) the licensed dentist seats, with the Governor appointing the first two seats, the Speaker of the House appointing the next two seats, and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate appointing the final seats; (2) the dental hygienist seats with the Commissioner of Labor appointing the first seat and the Governor appointing the second open seat; and (3) the public member seats, with the Governor appointing the first seat and the Commissioner of Labor appointing the next seat.  

Requires the Dental Board to adopt temporary rules to implement the new membership, appointment, and compensation provisions set forth above and then permanent rules to replace those rules. 

Effective October 1, 2026, expands the training requirements for occupational licensing boards under GS 93B-5(g) to include training on antitrust law and State action immunity. Makes a conforming change.  

Enacts GS 93B-17 requiring all occupational boards to adopt rules pertaining to complaints, including taking disciplinary or enforcement actions against its licensees, and taking enforcement actions against persons not licensed by the board. Grants occupational licensing boards the authority to investigate unlicensed activity in new GS 93B-18. Provides for notice. Establishes venue for occupational licensing boards seeking court orders for injunctive relief or to show cause for failure to comply with a subpoena lawfully issued by the board in new GS 93B-19. Authorizes those boards to seek injunctive relief or a restraining order for violations of its administrating statute in new GS 93B-20. Establish process for resolution of jurisdictional disputes between licensing boards in new GS 93B-21. Requires, in new GS 93B-22, that each occupational licensing board’s to develop a complaint process that includes the following: (1) a description of the complaint process on the board’s website, including the types of violations under its authority; (2) a way to submit an electronic complaint on the board's website; and (3) the ability to provide complainants with a written description of the final disposition of each complaint. Effective October 1, 2026, and applies to actions arising on or after that date.