Alaska2026Passed Legislature
HB158
Alaska HB 158: Temporary Professional Licenses and Military Spouse Licensing
Last scannedSep 22, 2026, 12:32 AM
In one sentence
This bill creates a new temporary license for certain professions, updates rules for courtesy licenses given to nonresidents, and requires the state to issue full professional licenses within 30 days to military members and their spouses who move to Alaska.
What it does
- Creates a temporary license allowing people with out-of-state credentials or qualifying military training to work in specific professions while waiting for permanent approval.
- Requires applicants for the temporary license to have no history of disciplinary action, ongoing reviews, or acts that would lead to denial within the last 10 years.
- Limits the validity of a temporary license to up to 180 days, with an option for one additional 180-day extension at the department's discretion.
- Updates laws regarding courtesy licenses so that licensing boards can set rules allowing nonresidents to practice temporarily in Alaska for limited purposes only.
- Requires state officials to issue full professional licenses within 30 days to military members and their spouses who relocate due to official orders, provided they meet specific requirements.
Who it affects
- People licensed or credentialed in another U.S. state or territory seeking temporary work authorization in Alaska.
- Military service members and their spouses moving to Alaska under military orders who hold professional licenses from other states.
- Nonresident professionals entering the state for a limited purpose under courtesy license rules.
- State agencies, including the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development and specific licensing boards.
Limits and unknowns
- This law does not apply to professions regulated under AS 08.54 or AS 08.62.
- It also does not cover professions already covered by an interstate licensing compact that Alaska has joined.
- The bill text provided is truncated, so the full list of affected occupations in Section 4 regarding barbering and cosmetology cannot be confirmed.
Plain language
Terms to know
- Temporary License
- A short-term permit allowing a person to practice a profession in Alaska for up to 180 days while their permanent license application is processed or if they qualify through military training.
- Courtesy License
- Special permission given by a licensing board that allows nonresidents to work temporarily in the state for a limited purpose, not general practice.
Official record
Sources
Read the official summary
PROFESSIONAL LICENSING; TEMP PERMITS An Act relating to professional licensing; relating to temporary licenses for certain professions; and providing for an effective date.
Official activity
Bill history
- (H) -- MEETING CANCELED --Text
- (H) MILITARY & VETERANS' AFFAIRS at 10:15 AM BARNES 124Text
- (H) REFERRED TO LABOR & COMMERCE1194
- (H) FN1: ZERO(CED)1194
- (H) NR: HALL, EISCHEID1194
- (H) DP: NELSON, SADDLER1194
- (H) MLV RPT 2DP 2NR1194
- (H) Minutes (HMLV)Min
- (H) Moved HB 158 Out of Committee -- Delayed to 15 min Following Session --Text
- (H) MILITARY & VETERANS' AFFAIRS at 10:15 AM BARNES 124Text
- (H) Minutes (HMLV)Min
- (H) Heard & HeldText
- (H) MILITARY & VETERANS' AFFAIRS at 10:15 AM BARNES 124Text
- (H) GOVERNOR'S TRANSMITTAL LETTER546
- (H) FN1: ZERO(CED)546
- (H) MLV, L&C546
- (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS546