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HB173

HB173: Updates for Therapy and Speech Licenses

Last scannedAug 22, 2026, 12:25 AM

In one sentence

This law updates rules for licensing physical therapists, occupational therapists, audiologists, and speech-language pathologists in Alaska.

What it does

  • Requires applicants to submit fingerprints and pay fees for national criminal history checks before getting a license or compact privilege.
  • Creates the position of executive administrator to manage daily operations for the State Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Board.
  • Allows occupational therapists to start treatment without needing a referral from another healthcare provider.
  • Defines specific tasks that occupational therapists can perform, such as treating pain and helping with eating or swallowing.
  • Directs the board to implement interstate compacts that allow licensed professionals to work across state lines.

Who it affects

  • Applicants seeking licenses for physical therapy, occupational therapy, audiology, or speech-language pathology in Alaska.
  • Licensed therapists applying for compact privileges to practice in other states.
  • The State Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Board members and staff.

Limits and unknowns

  • This text does not list specific fees for criminal background checks or license applications.
  • The full details of how occupational therapists must train patients are cut off in this excerpt.
  • The law states it is effective on September 30, 2026.

Plain language

Terms to know

Compact privilege
A special permission that allows a licensed professional from one state to work legally in another participating state without getting a new full license.
Executive administrator
The main manager hired by the board to handle its daily business and duties.

Official record

Sources

Validated
Official bill pageIntroduced textCurrent bill textStored full record

Official summary

LIC.: OCCUP/PHYS THERAPY;SPEECH;AUDIOLOGY An Act relating to occupational therapist licensure; relating to occupational therapy assistant licensure; relating to an occupational therapist licensure compact; relating to an executive administrator for the State Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Board; relating to physical therapist licensure; relating to physical therapist assistant licensure; relating to audiologist licensure; relating to speech-language pathologist licensure; and relating to national criminal history record checks.

Official activity

Bill history

  1. (H) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) OF LAW 9/30/263159
  2. (H) LAW W/O GOV SIGNATURE 6/30 CH 41 SLA 263159
  3. (H) 3:10 P.M. 6/15/26 TRANSMITTED TO GOVERNOR3094
  4. (H) MANIFEST ERROR(S)3055
  5. (H) TITLE CHANGE: SCR 272995
  6. (H) CONCUR AM OF (S) Y39 A12994
  7. (H) CONCUR MESSAGE TAKEN UP2994
  8. (H) CONCUR MESSAGE RECEIVED2993
  9. (S) VERSION: SCS CSHB 173(FIN) AM S2904
  10. (S) TRANSMITTED TO (H) AS AMENDED2904
  11. (S) PASSED Y14 N62847
  12. (S) READ THE THIRD TIME SCS CSHB 173(FIN) AM S2846
  13. (S) ADVANCED TO THIRD READING 5/20 CAL2783
  14. (S) AM NO 1 ADOPTED UC2780
  15. (S) FIN SCS ADOPTED UC2780
  16. (S) READ THE SECOND TIME2779
  17. (S) RULES TO CALENDAR 5/19/20262779
  18. (S) FN2: (CED)2593
  19. (S) NR: STEDMAN, KAUFMAN, CRONK, MERRICK, KIEHL2593
  20. (S) DP: OLSON, HOFFMAN2593

Changes

Amendments

1 stored

AM 1

This amendment updates the law to clearly list all the specific services occupational therapists can provide and allows them to start treatment without needing a referral from another doctor.