A provision in HB110 creates a new mandatory state license for respiratory care practitioners—and most Alaska health services owners haven't heard about it yet.
Buried in Alaska's HB110 is a licensing requirement that will affect any health services business employing respiratory care practitioners. Most owners don't know it exists, and the deadline is less than three years away.
Here's what changed: Effective January 1, 2027, respiratory care practitioners in Alaska must hold a state license issued by the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development. This applies to workers in home health agencies, clinics, outpatient facilities, durable medical equipment companies with clinical staff, and any other setting where respiratory care is delivered.
If your business employs anyone who performs respiratory care—whether full-time, part-time, or contract—you're affected. This includes practitioners working in patient homes, clinics, hospitals, or other settings. The requirement applies statewide.
The law takes effect January 1, 2027 (Section 34 of HB110). However, there is a one-year transition period for individuals already practicing respiratory care as of the effective date (Section 33). This means currently employed practitioners have until January 1, 2028, to obtain their license—but new hires or practitioners entering the field after January 1, 2027, must be licensed immediately.
Employing an unlicensed respiratory care practitioner after the transition period expires is a class B misdemeanor. This is a criminal liability issue, not just a regulatory fine. It applies to employers as well as individuals practicing without a license.
Start by identifying all respiratory care practitioners on your payroll or contract roster. Then monitor announcements from the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development regarding the licensing application process, fees, and examination requirements. These details have not yet been finalized.
You'll also want to factor licensing costs and any examination preparation time into your budget planning. Depending on the department's rules, this could affect hiring timelines, training budgets, and staffing decisions.
If you contract with respiratory care practitioners as independent vendors, clarify in your agreements who is responsible for obtaining and maintaining licensure. This protects both parties and prevents misunderstandings closer to the deadline.
HB110 also addresses health care licensure compacts and social work licensing, but the respiratory care requirement is the provision most health services owners have overlooked. Unlike some licensing changes that phase in gradually, this one has a firm deadline and criminal penalties.
The legal citation is Section 14 (AS 08.90.010), found on page 78 of HB110.
Alaska health services associations and business groups have begun developing employer guides specific to this requirement. Check with your industry association for resources tailored to your sector.