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HB173

HB173: Updates for Therapy and Speech Licenses

Last scannedOct 18, 2026, 12:32 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

Source checked
Official bill pageIntroduced textCurrent bill text
Read the 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) FN2: (CED)3273
  2. (H) FN(S) ATTACHED TO APPROP. BILL HB 2633273
  3. (H) LEG FINANCE APPROPRIATION MESSAGE 9/8/263273
  4. (S) LEG FINANCE APPROPRIATION MESSAGE 9/8/26
  5. (H) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) OF LAW 9/30/263159
  6. (H) LAW W/O GOVERNOR SIGNATURE 6/30 CHAPTER 41 SLA 263159
  7. (H) 3:10 P.M. 6/15/26 TRANSMITTED TO GOVERNOR3094
  8. (H) MANIFEST ERROR(S)3055
  9. (H) TITLE CHANGE: SCR 272995
  10. (H) CONCUR AM OF (S) Y39 A12994
  11. (H) CONCUR MESSAGE TAKEN UP2994
  12. (H) CONCUR MESSAGE RECEIVED2993
  13. (S) VERSION: SCS CSHB 173(FIN) AM S2904
  14. (S) TRANSMITTED TO (H) AS AMENDED2904
  15. (S) PASSED Y14 N62847
  16. (S) READ THE THIRD TIME SCS CSHB 173(FIN) AM S2846
  17. (S) ADVANCED TO THIRD READING 5/20 CAL2783
  18. (S) AM NO 1 ADOPTED UC2780
  19. (S) FIN SCS ADOPTED UC2780
  20. (S) READ THE SECOND TIME2779

Changes

Amendments

1 stored

AM 1

AM NO 1 ADOPTED UC 2780