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State Physical Therapy & Occupational Therapy Board

The State Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Board is staffed by the Division of Corporation and Professional Licensing. The Board consists of seven members: three licensed physical therapists or two physical therapists and a physical therapist assistant; three licensed occupational therapists or two occupational therapist and one occupational therapy assistant; and one public member with no direct financial interest in the health care industry. Board members are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Legislature.

The Board adopts regulations to carry out laws governing the practice of physical therapy and occupational therapy in Alaska. It makes final licensing decisions and takes disciplinary actions against people who violate licensing laws. The Board meets a minimum of two times a year and offers a public comment period at each meeting. Meeting agendas and minutes are available from the licensing examiner and will be posted to the Board Business website once prepared.

Fingerprinting and Criminal Background Checks

Attention: Due to the passage of Senate Bill 74 in the 33rd Legislative Session, as of August 31, 2024, fingerprinting and criminal background checks are now a requirement for physical therapy and occupational therapy license applicants. This means that in addition to all previous licensure requirements and fees, applicants will also need to provide the $75 fingerprint processing fee and mail in a completed fingerprint card. You can find more information on the fingerprinting requirements here.

Limited Permit, Renewal, and Reinstatement applications are exempt from this requirement. (AS 08.84.034).

Open Board Position

The Board of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy has a vacant board seat available as of August, 2024 for an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant. Anyone interested in a board appointment can submit an application online here. For more information, contact boards@Alaska.Gov or visit https://gov.alaska.gov/services/boards-and-commissions/

It is Time to Renew Your License!

Click Here to Renew Online

MY LICENSE Online Renewal

Please use our convenient MY LICENSE online renewal application. In most cases your license will be renewed immediately. Due to a heavy volume of renewal activities, processing time for renewal applications received by mail may take up to 4-6 weeks.

In order to receive communication via email, your email address of record must be current at all times. You may verify your current email address via the MY LICENSE self-service portal. If you are expecting communication from our office, please be sure to check your spam/junk mail folder.

If you have not registered, follow these simple steps:

  1. Visit the MY LICENSE customer home page at: ProfessionalLicense.Alaska.Gov/MYLICENSE
  2. If you have an existing myAlaska account, enter your account information. If not, please create an account. You will be redirected to the MY LICENSE customer home page.
  3. Under Access an Existing License, enter your license number and Web Authorization Code, if one has been provided. This information is on your renewal notice.
  4. To renew your license, simply select the license you wish to renew from the Professional Licensing section.

Valid License Numbers Contain Either:

6 numbers
OR
4 letters + at least 1 number

If you have an alpha-numeric license number, you must enter all of the characters in order to renew online. EXAMPLE: ABCD1234

Professions Regulated by the Board

  • Occupational Therapist
  • Occupational Therapy Assistant
  • Physical Therapist
  • Physical Therapist Assistant

Physical Therapy Interstate Compact (PT Compact)

Due to the passage of Senate Bill 74 in the 33rd Legislative Session, Alaska has joined the Physical Therapy Interstate Compact (PT Compact).

The PT Compact allows eligible licensed physical therapists and physical therapist assistants an alternative method for providing services in other member states, and vice-versa for PTs and PTAs from other member states. If you are interested in learning more about the PT Compact, please use the following link: https://ptcompact.org/.

Though the State of Alaska has legally joined the PT Compact, we are still in the implementation phase so the PT Compact is not yet in effect in the state. We anticipate it may take six to nine months until the PT Compact is in effect in Alaska. You can find more information on how the PT Compact privilege applications will work on the website, linked above. In the meantime, if you wish to practice as a Physical Therapist or Physical Therapist Assistant in Alaska, you will need to apply for the Alaska-specific license using the applications available on the Board links menu. As we advance in the implementation process, updates will be provided here.

PT/OT Board Listserv Now Available!

Subscribe to the Alaska State Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy electronic mailing list and receive:

  • Board Meeting Notices
  • Important announcements/updates
  • Notice of Proposed Changes to Regulations

You may cancel your subscription at any time. You are subscribing to a group email for informal communications.

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State Organizations

State organizations provide information on Board approved continuing education courses.

National Organizations

National organizations may provide information on the regulation of the practice of occupational therapy and physical therapy in other states.

Contact Information

Licensing Examiner: Sheri Ryan
Phone: (907) 465-2550
Email: PhysicalandOccupationalTherapy@Alaska.Gov
PO Box 110806
Juneau, AK 99811-0806