Alaska requires all locum tenens independent contractors to hold a valid Alaska business license before starting work in the state. While a business license is not required solely to practice medicine in Alaska, it is required to operate as an independent contractor, which is how most WMS-placed practitioners are engaged. You will need to have your business license in place before signing a rate sheet for your first WMS assignment.
Most practitioners set up a simple Assumed Business Name (sole proprietorship) for their contract work. Others create a new LLC or register an existing LLC in Alaska as a foreign entity. If you have questions about the tax implications of each structure, we recommend discussing the decision with a Certified Public Accountant before proceeding.
Registering an Assumed Business Name (Sole Proprietorship)
A sole proprietorship is the simplest and fastest option. Registration is completed online and the license is granted instantly upon payment. Use the following details when completing your application:
- Line of business: 62 – Health Care and Social Assistance
- NAICS code: 621999
- Business name: Most practitioners use their full name, with or without credentials (e.g., “Jane Smith” or “Jane Smith, PA-C”). Any legal business name is acceptable. If your business name is not your full name, let the WMS team know so we can reflect it accurately on your contract.
Register your Assumed Business Name through the Alaska Business License application portal.
Registering an LLC or Other Corporation
Registering an LLC involves a few more steps than a sole proprietorship but provides a distinct legal entity for your contract work. The process has three parts: securing a registered agent, registering your LLC in Alaska, and obtaining your Alaska business license.
What is a Registered Agent?
A registered agent is a person or company that receives legal paperwork on behalf of your business, including tax forms, court documents, and official notices. Your registered agent will also remind you of biennial reports due every two years. You can search for a registered agent in Alaska online, or use one from the partial list the Alaska Board of Medicine maintains on their website.
WMS and many of our practitioners use Baxter Bruce & Sullivan as their registered agent. Contact Stefanie Wolter at (907) 789-3166 to get started.
Step 1: Get a Registered Agent
- Call Stefanie Wolter at Baxter Bruce & Sullivan: (907) 789-3166. Let her know you’d like to register your LLC in Alaska and that you’ll be using them as your registered agent.
- She will send you an engagement letter and collect their fee ($265 + tax, billed annually). She’ll need the name of your LLC and the names of all members. The engagement letter will be sent to the LLC manager. She will also run a conflict check before proceeding.
- Once the engagement letter is signed and the conflict check is clear, she will provide their entity number. You will need this number during the LLC registration in Step 2.
Step 2: Register Your LLC in Alaska
- Register your LLC through the Alaska Corporations, Business, and Professional Licensing portal.
- NAICS code: 621999
- If you have questions during the application, consult an accountant or attorney to make sure it is filed correctly.
Step 3: Register for an Alaska Business License
Once your LLC is registered in Step 2, you will receive an entity number. Use that to register for your Alaska business license:
- Register for a new Alaska business license through the Alaska Business License application portal.
- Owner Type: Entity
- Entity #: The number provided by Baxter Bruce & Sullivan
- Line of Business: 62 – Health Care and Social Assistance
- NAICS code: 621999
Registering an Existing LLC as a Foreign Entity
If you already have an LLC registered in another state and want to use it for Alaska work, you will register it as a Foreign Entity in Alaska. A Foreign Entity is any corporation founded outside Alaska but within the United States. The process follows the same structure as registering a new LLC: you will need a registered agent, the same NAICS code information listed above, and registration through the Alaska business licensing portal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a business license required to contract with WMS?
Yes. Because WMS practitioners work as independent contractors rather than employees, a valid Alaska business license is required before being submitted for any assignment in the state. The business can take the form of a sole proprietorship, LLC, or other corporation, as long as it is registered in Alaska.
Which business structure is right for me?
The right structure depends on your individual tax situation and financial goals. WMS does not offer legal or tax advice and does not have a preference on which structure you choose, as long as it is properly registered in Alaska. We strongly recommend meeting with a Certified Public Accountant to discuss the tax implications of each option before making a decision.
How long does it take for my business license application to process?
A sole proprietorship (Assumed Business Name) is a simple online application that is granted instantly upon payment. A corporate registration of any kind, including an LLC or S-Corp, may take longer to process but should not exceed one month.
When should I apply for my business license?
WMS does not require you to have your business license until you have been fully onboarded and are being submitted for your first assignment. That said, if you plan to register a corporation, it is advisable to start earlier since that process takes more time than a sole proprietorship.
Do I need a business name?
Most practitioners use their full name as their business name, with or without credentials (e.g., “Jane Smith” or “Jane Smith, PA-C”). Any legal name is acceptable. If your business name is not your full name, let the WMS team know so we can reflect it correctly on your contract.
How much does the business license cost per year?
Alaska business licenses are available as a one-year license for $50 or a two-year license for $100. In both cases, the license expires on December 31 of the final year. An LLC remains active indefinitely as long as biennial reports and all other maintenance requirements are kept current.
What NAICS code should I use?
Use NAICS code 621999 with line of business 62 – Health Care and Social Assistance. This applies to sole proprietorships, LLCs, and foreign entity registrations.
What if I already have an LLC in another state?
If you have an existing LLC registered in another state, you can register it in Alaska as a Foreign Entity rather than creating a new one. You will still need an Alaska registered agent and will follow the same NAICS code and business license registration steps as a new LLC.
Questions about Alaska business licensing or your upcoming assignment? Contact the WMS team.
IT‘S TIME TO START YOUR LIFE’S
NEXT CHAPTER
Rediscover your love for medicine, and redefine what service means. Reset your expectations for what life can offer, and reinvigorate yourself in this beautiful country of ours. Wilderness Medical Staffing wants to put you on the path to life’s next chapter today.
IT‘S TIME TO START YOUR LIFE’S
NEXT CHAPTER
Rediscover your love for medicine, and redefine what service means. Reset your expectations for what life can offer, and reinvigorate yourself in this beautiful country of ours. Wilderness Medical Staffing wants to put you on the path to life’s next chapter today.
Wilderness Medical Staffing (WMS) is a team of experienced staffing experts. We provide locum tenens staffing of physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and CRNAs. We specialize in placing excellent, compassionate providers in rural clinics, hospitals, and communities across the continental Northwest and Alaska.
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