Contact Information
- Alaska State Medical Board (SMB)
- Main Phone: (907) 269-8163
- Email: [email protected]
Summary of Process
PA-C License Application
Fees
- $450 (Collaborative Plan not included in this total)
Timeline
Initial review within 10-14 weeks of receipt of the application.
If the licensing examiner finds items missing in your application, they will notify you in your MyAlaska account. We suggest you start checking your MyAlaska licensing portal for updates regularly 8-10 weeks after completing your application.
Temporary License
If your paperwork is fully completed and valid, your temporary license will be issued at the initial review at no extra cost to you. The Medical Board will then pursue state license verifications and reference checks before granting your permanent license.
Because the Medical Board only meets quarterly to process permanent licenses, you may be working under your temporary license for a couple months. That is expected, and your temporary license carries all the same privileges as your permanent license. If you have your temporary license, that is sufficient proof that the Medical Board already has everything they need.
Application
You can complete your Physician Assistant license application online at my.alaska.gov. This is the recommended way to complete your application for quickest response. If the licensing examiner finds items missing in your application, they will notify you in your MyAlaska account. We suggest you start checking your MyAlaska licensing portal for updates regularly 8 weeks after completing your application.
You can also download the PA application by following this link, found on the Medical Board’s Application & Forms landing page.
You can also access the Medical Board’s very helpful FAQ Page as you work through this application. Also, on our FAQ page at the bottom of this guide, review every answer to the questions our team is asked most often.
MyAlaska Portal
You can access your licensing portal by setting up an account at this link. If the licensing examiner finds items missing in your application, they will notify you in your MyAlaska account. We suggest you start checking your MyAlaska licensing portal for updates regularly 8 weeks after completing your application.
Other Critical Steps
DEA Clearance Report
You are required to request a clearance report from the Drug Enforcement Administration for your DEA registration. Use the form included in the Application and send your request to:
Drug Enforcement Administration
300 5th Avenue, Suite 1300
Seattle, WA 98104
DEA Registration
You will need an Alaska address on your DEA license confirmed before you can work your first assignment. This is not a prerequisite for your PA-C license to be granted, but you will need to register your DEA license in Alaska prior to starting work in the state in order to prescribe legally.
There are two ways to ensure you have a DEA license registered in the state you will work in. Some providers decide to purchase an additional DEA license to devote to locums work, but most choose to simply transfer their existing DEA license to Alaska immediately prior to their assignment starting. Whichever path you choose, you can apply for a new license or make changes to your existing DEA registration at the DEA website.
Keep in mind if you choose to transfer your existing DEA license to a new state, the process can take up to 5 business days so you must account for that transition time.
Opioid Education Requirement
All providers with a DEA registration must have received education in pain management and opioid use and addiction for their PA license. Attestation of opioid education is required to qualify for a new license for a physician, podiatrist or physician assistant. Courses must be Category 1 of AMA-approved education, Category 1 or 2 of AOA-approved education, or for a PA-C it can be NCCPA-approved education.
To fully document compliance with the opioid education requirement, the title/description of the program on your Certificate of Completion should specifically reference all three areas of the required subject matter: pain management, opioid use, addiction.
Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP)
Any provider with prescriptive authority is required to register with the PDMP in Alaska. This can be done online for free on the PDMP website.
We recommend reading this guide to help you get started with the process of registering with the PDMP.
Business License
Even though your business license is not required to practice medicine in Alaska, it is required to do business as a locum tenens independent contractor.
You will need both an Alaska business license and an Alaska professional license in order to work as an independent contractor with WMS. Please note that you must have your AK business license in place before your first assignment begins. Most providers choose to set up a simple Assumed Business Name (sole proprietorship) for their contract work, but some create LLCs or register existing LLCs in Alaska as foreign entities. We suggest you discuss this decision with a Certified Public Accountant if you have questions about tax implications for busines type.
- To setup a sole proprietorship, visit this website
- Your primary line of business should be “62-Health Care and Social Assistance”
- Your NAICS code should be 621999.
- Registering an LLC or other Corporation
- If you have an existing LLC that you would like to register in Alaska, or want to form a new Corporation, you can get started on this page.
- Forms and Fees page is where you will choose your type of corporation and begin filing. Remember to select the “Foreign” option if you are registering a corporation from outside Alaska.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I fill out my Collaborative Plan form?
You can leave the Collaborative Plan forms blank in your initial application.
If you are applying for your Alaska PA license to work as a locum tenens provider, you can’t fill out your collaborative plan form with your initial application because you don’t yet know where you’re working or who your supervising physician will be. That is expected by the Medical Board, so they will process your application without the collaborative plan form.
Do I need a Collaborative Plan?
You will need a collaborative plan prior to starting your first assignment, but our team will organize and pay for the collaborative plan when you are confirmed for your first WMS assignment.
When your license posts online, it will show a comment “not authorized to practice, no collaborative agreement.” That comment will remain on your license until your first collaborative plan is confirmed with the Medical Board. Our operations team will ensure your collaborative plan is submitted with the Board before your first assignment starts.
Should I include payment for my Collaborative Plan in my application?
No need to pay for the Collaborative Plan if you are going to work as a locum tenens provider with WMS. Our team will organize the Collaborative Plan for you and pay the fee.
How long will it take for my licenses to post?
Processing times depend mostly on how thorough your application is. The board typically reviews applications 10-14 weeks after application. From then, if your application is 100% complete with no remaining items, you can expect your temporary license to be granted within 10 business days of that review. All told, the fastest you will get your license is about 2.5 months after applying. If the board has to request corrections, answers to disclosure questions or further documentation, you may see processing times increase to 3-4 months.
When can I expect a response from the Medical Board?
The Alaska Medical Board processes applications in date order received, meaning they will not even look at your application until your turn comes. Response times are currently about 10-14 weeks. Once your application is reviewed, the board will update your MyAlaska account with whatever they still need.
We suggest you make your first outreach to your licensing examiner about 8-10 weeks after applying and introduce yourself, asking if they’ve had the opportunity to review your application. If you reach out to your licensing examiner earlier than that 8-week mark, you will not receive a response.
What is the best way for me to follow up with my licensing examiner?
You can keep up to date on who your licensing examiner is, according to your last name, by following this link and scrolling to the bottom of the page. Email is the most reliable means of contact with the Medical Board, but you can always try a phone call.
Once your application has been reviewed and the licensing examiner followed up with further requests, we suggest you keep an eye on your MyLicense account instead of emailing the licensing examiner. Everything you need to know about action required will be there.
Verification of Hours Supervised
The Verification of Hours of Supervision page (Pg. 22) is only required for providers who have less than 2 years’ experience. If you have over 2 years of experience, you can leave this page out of your application.
Do I need to get this notarized?
Yes.
Please make sure to have the notary signature page (Pg. 13) completed and mail the original notarized copy of that page with your application.
I got my temp license! Am I ready to work?
Yes!
Your temporary PA license carries all the same privileges of your permanent PA license. The Medical Board reviews all license applications quarterly, so your permanent license will be granted then under the same license number. Reach out to your recruiter as soon as your temporary license is confirmed, and we will onboard you if we haven’t already. Then you will be set to start your first assignment in Alaska.
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, and physician assistants. We specialize in placing excellent, compassionate providers in rural clinics, hospitals, and communities across the continental Northwest and Alaska.
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