AlaskaSB 8934th Legislature (2025-2026)Senate

PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT SCOPE OF PRACTICE

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

12 provisions identified: 7 benefits, 0 costs, 5 mixed.

Physician assistants can provide broader care

Alaska physician assistants can provide medical services they are trained and competent to perform, and are responsible for their care. Services include diagnosis, treatment, tests, medical equipment, home health, therapy, hospice, health certifications, medical documents, and death pronouncements. They can prescribe prescription drugs and Schedule II–V controlled substances, subject to legal limits; controlled-substance activities require proper authorization. They can dispense drugs during emergencies, or when pharmacy services are not reasonably available and dispensing serves the patient's best interest. A written agreement with an Alaska-licensed or exempt physician is generally required, with board access to the agreement on request. Exceptions cover physician-directed facilities, state-licensed facilities, federal and tribal facilities, community health centers, rural clinics, military and veterans' facilities, and board-approved settings.

Stronger safeguards for Alaska medical patients

Medical licensees, including physician assistants, face discipline after a hearing for denying care solely because a patient refuses arbitration. Unauthorized medical practice is a class A misdemeanor, with each day a separate offense; other Alaska-authorized practice remains exempt. A surrendered physician assistant license can return only after the board finds the assistant competent. It cannot return if surrender led to civil or criminal charges being dropped or suspended. Using physician assistant or specialist titles to offer diagnosis or treatment counts as medical practice; nonphysician doctorate holders using 'doctor' must clearly explain their status.

Insurers cannot narrow physician assistant practice

Insurers cannot impose stricter physician assistant practice, education, or collaboration rules than Alaska law or medical board rules allow. This restriction applies to health insurance contracts with participating providers. It limits insurers' ability to narrow physician assistant services through those contract terms.

Podiatry patients gain another referral option

Podiatrists treating signs of a body-wide disease in a hand or foot must also refer patients for that disease. The referral can now go to a physician assistant, as well as a physician or osteopath.

Injured workers can choose physician assistants

Workers covered by Alaska workers' compensation can choose a licensed physician assistant as their attending provider. The assistant no longer needs supervision by a medical doctor or doctor of osteopathy for that designation.

Correctional care recognizes licensed physician assistants

Alaska correctional health care rules recognize state-licensed physician assistants as health care providers. That definition no longer requires direct supervision by a licensed physician or psychiatrist.

Physician assistants join Alaska medical board

Alaska's medical board includes one Alaska-licensed physician assistant, five Alaska-licensed physicians, and two public members. Public members cannot have direct financial interests in health care, and the board must reflect geographic representation. The board has explicit authority over physician assistant practice, licensing, temporary permits, discipline, reporting, and enforcement.

Visiting physician assistants get licensing exceptions

Some physician assistants can provide care without the chapter's ordinary Alaska licensing requirements. Out-of-state licensed assistants qualify when an Alaska-licensed physician, osteopath, or assistant asks them to help diagnose or treat a case. That exception does not cover practice under Alaska's separate provision numbered AS 08.02.130(b). Regular U.S. Public Health Service or armed-services assistants also qualify when volunteering without pay or other compensation at an Alaska medical facility. Out-of-state licensed assistants can serve teams from their licensing state under written agreements during travel to, from, or participation in Alaska sporting events.

Medical providers must report dangerous impairment

Physician assistants treating Alaska-licensed physicians or osteopaths for addiction or listed mental or emotional disorders must report probable danger from continued practice. Reports must give the person's name, address, and condition. Physicians, assistants, hospitals, hospital committees, and private professional organizations receive civil-liability protection for good-faith reports and related investigation or court participation. Physicians, assistants, and hospitals cannot withhold reports or evidence in these board investigations by claiming confidentiality. This includes information from confidential relationships and protected hospital meetings.

Physician assistants get defined licensing paths

Alaska grants physician assistant licenses to applicants who meet its education, certification, exam, and other licensing requirements. Programs must have held the required accreditation when the applicant graduated. Before January 1, 2001, qualifying accreditors are the American Medical Association's allied health committee or the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. For graduates on or after that date, the accreditor is the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant. Applicants need current National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants certification and must pass its national exam. The board can waive another exam for applicants with proof of continued competence who pay the fee. That route requires an active U.S. or Canadian license issued after a thorough exam, or passage of a board-specified exam.

Temporary permits help fill medical vacancies

The medical board or its authorized representatives can issue temporary permits to eligible physician assistant applicants who pay the fee. Job-specific permits cover substitutes for Alaska-licensed physicians, osteopaths, or physician assistants, and work during evaluation for permanent employment. They also cover vacant hospital or community mental health center jobs while the facility seeks a permanent licensee. These applicants must meet the education and permit requirements and show a license from a U.S. state or territory, or Canadian province or territory. The supplied provisions do not state a permit duration or fee amount.

Physician assistants get limited training waivers

Physician assistants can apply for continuing education waivers by showing special hardships or circumstances that satisfy the medical board. Waivers cannot exceed 15 hours in five years. At least two hours of pain management and opioid use and addiction education remain required. The board can waive that training only when the assistant shows they lack a valid federal Drug Enforcement Administration registration.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Loki Tobin
Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

Cathy Giessel
Republican • Senate
Andrew Gray
Democratic • House
Elvi Gray-Jackson
Democratic • Senate
Hughes
Affiliation unavailable
Mike Prax
Republican • House
Justin Ruffridge
Republican • House
Frank Tomaszewski
Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 38 • No: 2

House vote • 5/7/2026

PASSED Y38 N2