The bill introduces a new section to the Alaska Statutes that allows the Department to issue temporary licenses for certain professions to applicants who are either licensed in another state with equivalent requirements or who qualify through military service. These temporary licenses are valid for up to 180 days, with a potential single extension, and applicants must not be under disciplinary action in any jurisdiction. The bill also mandates that if a criminal history check is required for a professional license, it will apply to temporary licenses as well, although the temporary license can be issued prior to receiving the report.

Additionally, the bill amends existing statutes to clarify the criteria for courtesy licenses for nonresidents and repeals and reenacts provisions related to the portability of professional licenses for servicemembers and their spouses. It replaces references to "temporary permits" with "temporary licenses under AS 08.01.061" to ensure consistency across the law. The bill also updates the licensing process for physical and occupational therapy, allowing for temporary licenses instead of limited permits for certain individuals, and repeals outdated sections to streamline the licensing process. The Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development is authorized to adopt necessary regulations to implement these changes, which will take effect on July 1, 2026, with some provisions effective immediately.

Statutes affected:
HB0158A, AM HB 158, introduced 03/26/2025: 08.01.010, 08.01.064, 08.01.062, 08.01.063, U.S.C, 08.01.100, 08.13.070, 08.01.061, 08.13.160, 08.13.120, 08.13.130, 08.13.150, 08.01.075, 44.46.020, 08.13.175, 08.13.080, 08.13.185, 08.01.065, 08.13.190, 08.20.180, 08.20.160, 08.20.163, 08.20.141, 08.36.100, 08.36.238, 08.36.254, 08.64.279, 08.64.315, 08.68.220, 08.68.230, 08.84.010, 08.84.120, 08.84.050, 08.84.150, 08.84.032, 08.84.075, 08.98.120, 08.98.186, 08.02.050, 08.98.180, 08.98.165, 08.98.190, 08.11.020, 08.11.025, 08.13.170, 08.15.030, 08.26.050, 08.45.035, 08.63.130, 08.64.101, 08.64.270, 08.64.275, 08.68.210, 08.70.130, 08.80.150, 08.80.155, 08.84.065, 08.86.135, 08.86.166, 08.95.125