Supreme Court ruling could impact Arizona licensing boards

PHOENIX (AP) - Arizona will have to reconsider how to operate state licensing boards in the wake of a U.S. Supreme Court decision that has left them vulnerable to antitrust complaints.

The Arizona Capitol Times reports that the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Federal Trade Commission last month, saying the North Carolina Dental Board was stopping non-dentists from offering cheaper teeth-whitening services for financial reasons.

Antitrust law experts say this could mean state boards, which are typically made up of practitioners in the industry, will be open to antitrust lawsuits.

The ruling could also mean a state representative would have to supervise decisions made by every professional board.

Most licensing and regulatory boards are established by the Arizona Legislature though they act independently of lawmakers.