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HB 352

An Act relating to the interstate medical licensure compact; relating to the PA licensure compact; relating to the psychology interjurisdictional compact; and relating to the recognition of EMS personnel licensure interstate compact.

34th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Zack Fields and 1 co-sponsor

Alaska joins four interstate licensing compacts enabling healthcare and EMS professionals licensed in member states to practice in Alaska without separate state licensure.

(H) Heard & Held
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Bill Summary · HB 352

Legislative bill overview

HB 352 authorizes Alaska to join four interstate compacts that streamline professional licensure across state lines: the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, the Physician Assistant Licensure Compact, the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact, and the EMS Personnel Licensure Interstate Compact. These compacts allow licensed professionals in one member state to practice in other member states without obtaining separate licenses in each jurisdiction.

Why is this important

Healthcare and emergency services face persistent workforce shortages, particularly in rural and frontier areas like Alaska. By removing licensing barriers, these compacts increase access to medical professionals across state lines and reduce administrative costs for providers. This is especially relevant for Alaska's geographic challenges and distributed population centers that struggle to attract and retain healthcare workers.

Potential points of contention

  • Regulatory standards variance: Compacts establish baseline standards, but member states maintain different regulations; concerns exist about whether uniform reciprocity could create inconsistent care quality or undermine stricter state protections
  • Consumer oversight concerns: Some consumer advocates worry that reciprocity agreements may reduce individual state oversight authority and make it harder to pursue complaints against out-of-state practitioners
  • Professional organization alignment: Medical societies and licensing boards may have differing views on whether compacts adequately protect state-specific professional standards and disciplinary processes

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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