Published: 2015
Key Benefits:
Sec. 08.01.010. Applicability of chapter.
This chapter applies to the
(1) Board of Public Accountancy (AS 08.04.010 );
(2) regulation of acupuncturists under AS 08.06;
(3) State Board of Registration for Architects, Engineers, and Land Surveyors (AS 08.48.011 );
(4) Athletic Commission (AS 05.05 and AS 05.10);
(5) [Effective July 1, 2015]. regulation of athletic trainers under AS 08.07;
(6) regulation of audiologists and speech-language pathologists under AS 08.11;
(7) Board of Barbers and Hairdressers (AS 08.13.010 );
(8) regulation of behavior analysts under AS 08.15;
(9) Big Game Commercial Services Board (AS 08.54.591 );
(10) regulation of business licenses under AS 43.70;
(11) Board of Chiropractic Examiners (AS 08.20.010 );
(12) regulation of collection agencies under AS 08.24;
(13) regulation of concert promoters under AS 08.92;
(14) regulation of construction contractors and home inspectors under AS 08.18;
(15) Board of Dental Examiners (AS 08.36.010 );
(16) regulation of dietitians and nutritionists under AS 08.38;
(17) Board of Certified Direct-Entry Midwives (AS 08.65.010 );
(18) regulation of dispensing opticians under AS 08.71;
(19) regulation of electrical and mechanical administrators under AS 08.40;
(20) regulation of agencies that perform euthanasia services under AS 08.02.050;
(21) regulation of professional geologists under AS 08.02.011 ;
(22) regulation of private professional guardians and private professional conservators (AS 08.26);
(23) regulation of hearing aid dealers under AS 08.55;
(24) Board of Marine Pilots (AS 08.62.010 );
(25) Board of Marital and Family Therapy (AS 08.63.010 );
(26) [Effective July 1, 2015]. Board of Massage Therapists (AS 08.61.010 ); (27) State Medical Board (AS 08.64.010 );
(28) regulation of morticians under AS 08.42;
(29) regulation of the practice of naturopathy under AS 08.45;
(30) Board of Nursing (AS 08.68.010 );
(31) regulation of nursing home administrators under AS 08.70;
(32) Board of Examiners in Optometry (AS 08.72.010 );
(33) regulation of pawnbrokers (AS 08.76.100 - 08.76.590);
(34) Board of Pharmacy (AS 08.80.010 );
(35) State Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Board (AS 08.84.010);
(36) Board of Professional Counselors (AS 08.29.010 );
(37) Board of Psychologist and Psychological Associate Examiners (AS 08.86.010);
(38) Real Estate Commission (AS 08.88.011 );
(39) Board of Certified Real Estate Appraisers (AS 08.87.010 );
(40) Board of Social Work Examiners (AS 08.95.010 );
(41) Board of Veterinary Examiners (AS 08.98.010 ).
Sec. 08.01.020. Board organization.
Board members are appointed by the governor and serve at the pleasure of the governor. Unless otherwise provided, the governor may designate the chair of a board, and all other officers shall be elected by the board members. Unless otherwise provided, officers of a board are the chair and the secretary. A board may provide by regulation that three or more unexcused absences from meetings are cause for removal.
Sec. 08.01.025. Public members.
A public member of a board may not
(1) be engaged in the occupation that the board regulates;
(2) be associated by legal contract with a member of the occupation that the board regulates except as a consumer of the services provided by a practitioner of the occupation; or
(3) have a direct financial interest in the occupation that the board regulates.
Sec. 08.01.030. Quorum.
A majority of the membership of a board constitutes a quorum unless otherwise provided.
Sec. 08.01.035. Appointments and terms.
Members of boards subject to this chapter are appointed for staggered terms of four years. Except as provided in AS 39.05.080 (4), a member of a board serves until a successor is appointed. Except as provided in AS 39.05.080 (4), an appointment to fill a vacancy on a board is for the remainder of the unexpired term. A member who has served all or part of two successive terms on a board may not be reappointed to that board unless four years have elapsed since the person has last served on the board.
Sec. 08.01.040. Transportation and per diem.
A board member is entitled to transportation expenses and per diem as set out in AS 39.20.180 .
Sec. 08.01.050. Administrative duties of department.
(a) The department shall perform the following administrative and budgetary services when appropriate:
(1) collect and record fees;
(2) maintain records and files;
(3) issue and receive application forms;
(4) notify applicants of acceptance or rejection as determined by the board or, for occupations or activities listed in AS 08.01.010 that are regulated directly by the department, as determined by the department under applicable law;
(5) designate dates examinations are to be held and notify applicants;
(6) publish notice of examinations and proceedings;
(7) arrange space for holding examinations and proceedings;
(8) notify applicants of results of examinations;
(9) issue licenses or temporary licenses as authorized by the board or, for occupations or activities listed in AS 08.01.010 that are regulated directly by the department, as authorized by the department under applicable law;
(10) issue duplicate licenses upon submission of a written request by the licensee attesting to loss of or the failure to receive the original and payment by the licensee of a fee established by regulation adopted by the department;
(11) notify licensees of renewal dates at least 30 days before the expiration date of their licenses;
(12) compile and maintain a current register of licensees;
(13) answer routine inquiries;
(14) maintain files relating to individual licensees;
(15) arrange for printing and advertising;
(16) purchase supplies;
(17) employ additional help when needed;
(18) perform other services that may be requested by the board;
(19) provide inspection, enforcement, and investigative services to the boards and for the occupations listed in AS 08.01.010 regarding all licenses issued by or through the department;
(20) retain and safeguard the official seal of a board and prepare, sign, and affix a board seal, as appropriate, for licenses approved by a board;
(21) issue business licenses under AS 43.70.
(b) The form and content of a license, authorized by a board listed in AS 08.01.010 , including any document evidencing renewal of a license, shall be determined by the department after consultation with and consideration of the views of the board concerned.
(c) [Repealed, Sec. 49 ch 94 SLA 1987].
(d) At the request of one of the following boards, the department may contract with public agencies and private professional organizations to provide assistance and treatment to persons licensed by the board who abuse alcohol, other drugs, or other substances:
(1) Board of Social Work Examiners;
(2) Board of Dental Examiners;
(3) Board of Marital and Family Therapy;
(4) State Medical Board;
(5) Board of Nursing;
(6) Board of Examiners in Optometry;
(7) Board of Pharmacy;
(8) State Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Board;
(9) Board of Professional Counselors;
(10) Board of Psychologist and Psychological Associate Examiners; and
(11) Board of Veterinary Examiners.
Sec. 08.01.060. Application for license.
(a) All applications for examination or licensing to engage in the business or profession covered by this chapter shall be made in writing to the department.
(b) If the applicant is a natural person, the application must require that the applicant submit the applicant's social security number to the department. Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, a license to engage in a profession may not be issued by the department to a natural person unless the social security number has been provided to the department.
Sec. 08.01.062. Courtesy licenses.
(a) A board established under this title and the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development, with respect to an occupation that it regulates under this title, may by regulation establish criteria for issuing a temporary courtesy license to nonresidents who enter the state so that, on a temporary basis, they may practice the occupation regulated by the board or the department.
(b) The regulations adopted under (a) of this section may include limitations relating to the
(1) duration of the license's validity;
(2) scope of practice allowed under the license; and
(3) other matters considered important by the board or the department.
Sec. 08.01.063. Military courtesy licenses.
(a) Except as provided in (d) of this section, and notwithstanding another provision of law, the department or appropriate board may issue a temporary courtesy license to the spouse of an active duty member of the armed forces of the United States if the spouse applies to the department or appropriate board in the manner prescribed by the department or appropriate board. An application must include evidence satisfactory to the department or appropriate board that the applicant
(1) is married to and living with a member of the armed forces of the United States who is on active duty and assigned to a duty station in this state under official active duty military orders;
(2) holds a current license or certificate in another state, district, or territory of the United States with requirements that the department or appropriate board determines are equivalent to those established under this title for that occupation;
(3) if required by the department or appropriate board for obtaining a license in the applicant's profession, has been fingerprinted and has provided the fees required by the Department of Public Safety under AS 12.62.160 for criminal justice information and a national criminal history record check; the fingerprints and fees shall be forwarded to the Department of Public Safety to obtain a report of criminal justice information under AS 12.62 and a national criminal history record check under AS 12.62.400 ;
(4) has not committed an act in any jurisdiction that would have constituted grounds for the refusal, suspension, or revocation of a license or certificate to practice that occupation under this title at the time the act was committed;
(5) has not been disciplined by a licensing or credentialing entity in another jurisdiction and is not the subject of an unresolved complaint, review procedure, or disciplinary proceeding conducted by a licensing or credentialing entity in another jurisdiction; and
(6) pays any fees required under this title.
(b) The department or appropriate board shall expedite the procedure for issuance of a license under (a) of this section.
(c) A temporary courtesy license issued under this section is valid for 180 days and may be extended at the discretion of the department or appropriate board for one additional 180-day period, on application of the holder of the temporary courtesy license.
(d) This section does not apply to the practice of law or the regulation of attorneys under AS 08.08.
Sec. 08.01.064. Military education, training, and service credit; temporary license.
(a) Notwithstanding another provision of law, the department or applicable board shall accept military education, training, and service for some or all of the qualifications otherwise required of an applicant for a license or certificate issued under this chapter if
(1) the department or applicable board determines that the military education, training, and service is substantially equivalent to some or all of the qualifications otherwise required of an applicant for a license or certificate issued under this chapter; and
(2) the applicant provides satisfactory evidence of successful completion of the education, training, or service as a member of the armed forces of the United States, the United States Reserves, the National Guard of any state, the Military Reserves of any state, or the Naval Militia of any state.
(b) If the department issues temporary licenses or certificates as authorized by the department or applicable board under AS 08.01.050(a)(9), the department or applicable board shall issue a temporary license or certificate to a person who
(1) applies to the department or applicable board in a manner prescribed by the department or board;
(2) meets the requirements in AS 08.01.063 (a)(3) - (6); and
(3) while in the armed forces of the United States or any state, as described in (a) of this section,
(A) held a current license or certificate in another state, district, or territory of the United States, practiced in the area of the license or certificate, and maintained the license or certificate in active status before and at the time of application for a license or certificate under this subsection; or
(B) was awarded a degree, diploma, or certificate by a branch of the armed forces of the United States or any state, as described in (a) of this section, that met standards for an equivalent license or a certificate of technical training.
(c) The department or applicable board shall expedite the procedure for issuance of a license or certificate under (b) of this section for an applicant who is on active duty.
(d) A license or certificate issued under (b) of this section is valid for 180 days and may be extended at the discretion of the department or applicable board for one additional 180-day period if the holder of the license or certificate applies for an extension on a form approved by the department or applicable board.
(e) The department or applicable board may adopt regulations necessary to implement this section.
Sec. 08.01.065. Establishment of fees.
(a) Except for business licenses, the department shall adopt regulations that establish the amount and manner of payment of application fees, examination fees, license fees, registration fees, permit fees, investigation fees, and all other fees as appropriate for the occupations covered by this chapter.
(b) [Repealed, Sec. 4 ch 34 SLA 1992].
(c) Except as provided in (f) - (i) of this section, the department shall establish fee levels under (a) of this section so that the total amount of fees collected for an occupation approximately equals the actual regulatory costs for the occupation. The department shall annually review each fee level to determine whether the regulatory costs of each occupation are approximately equal to fee collections related to that occupation. If the review indicates that an occupation's fee collections and regulatory costs are not approximately equal, the department shall calculate fee adjustments and adopt regulations under (a) of this section to implement the adjustments. In January of each year, the department shall report on all fee levels and revisions for the previous year under this subsection to the office of management and budget. If a board regulates an occupation covered by this chapter, the department shall consider the board's recommendations concerning the occupation's fee levels and regulatory costs before revising fee schedules to comply with this subsection. In this subsection, "regulatory costs" means costs of the department that are attributable to regulation of an occupation plus
(1) all expenses of the board that regulates the occupation if the board regulates only one occupation;
(2) the expenses of a board that are attributable to the occupation if the board regulates more than one occupation.
(d) The license fee for a business license is set by AS 43.70.030(a). The department shall adopt regulations that establish the manner of payment of the license fee.
(e) [Repealed, Sec. 28 ch 90 SLA 1991].
(f) Notwithstanding (c) of this section, the department shall establish fee levels under (a) of this section so that the total amount of fees collected by the State Board of Registration for Architects, Engineers, and Land Surveyors approximately equals the total regulatory costs of the department and the board for all occupations regulated by the board. The department shall set the fee levels for the issuance and renewal of a certificate of registration issued under AS 08.48.211 so that the fee levels are the same for all occupations regulated by the board.
(g) Notwithstanding (c) of this section, the department shall establish fee levels under (a) of this section so that the total amount of fees collected by the department for all occupations regulated under AS 08.11 approximately equals the total regulatory costs of the department for all occupations regulated by the department under AS 08.11. The department shall set the fee levels for the issuance and renewal of licenses issued under AS 08.11 so that the fee levels are the same for all occupations regulated by the department under AS 08.11.
(h) Notwithstanding (c) of this section, the department shall establish fee levels under (a) of this section so that the total amount of fees collected by the Board of Barbers and Hairdressers approximately equals the total regulatory costs of the department, the board, and the Department of Environmental Conservation for all occupations regulated by the board. For purposes of this subsection, the regulatory costs of the Department of Environmental Conservation for the occupations regulated by the board include the cost of inspections under AS 08.13.210 (b), the cost of developing and adopting regulations under AS 44.46.020 for barbershop, hairdressing, manicuring, esthetics, body piercing, ear piercing, and tattooing and permanent cosmetic coloring establishments, and the cost to the Department of Environmental Conservation of enforcing those regulations except for the enforcement costs relating to ear piercing establishments. The department shall set the fee levels for the issuance and renewal of a practitioner's license issued under AS 08.13.100 so that the license and license renewal fees are the same for all occupations regulated by the Board of Barbers and Hairdressers.
(i) Notwithstanding (c) of this section, the department shall establish fee levels under (a) of this section so that the total amount of fees collected by the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development for specialty contractors, home inspectors, and associate home inspectors approximately equals the total regulatory costs of the department for those three registration categories. The department shall set the fee levels for the issuance and renewal of a certificate of registration issued under AS 08.18 so that the fee levels are the same for all three of these registration categories and so that the fee level for a home inspector with a joint registration is not different from the fee level for a home inspector who does not have a joint registration. In this subsection, "joint registration" has the meaning given in AS 08.18.171 .
Sec. 08.01.070. Administrative duties of boards.
Each board shall perform the following duties in addition to those provided in its respective law:
(1) take minutes and records of all proceedings;
(2) hold a minimum of one meeting each year;
(3) hold at least one examination each year;
(4) request, through the department, investigation of violations of its laws and regulations;
(5) prepare and grade board examinations;
(6) set minimum qualifications for applicants for examination and license and may establish a waiver of continuing education requirements for renewal of a license for the period in which a licensee is engaged in active duty military service as described under AS 08.01.100 (f);
(7) forward a draft of the minutes of proceedings to the department within 20 days after the proceedings;
(8) forward results of board examinations to the department within 20 days after the examination is given;
(9) notify the department of meeting dates and agenda items at least 15 days before meetings and other proceedings are held;
(10) submit before the end of the fiscal year an annual performance report to the department stating the board's accomplishments, activities, and needs.
Sec. 08.01.075. Disciplinary powers of boards.
(a) A board may take the following disciplinary actions, singly or in combination:
(1) permanently revoke a license;
(2) suspend a license for a specified period;
(3) censure or reprimand a licensee;
(4) impose limitations or conditions on the professional practice of a licensee;
(5) require a licensee to submit to peer review;
(6) impose requirements for remedial professional education to correct deficiencies in the education, training, and skill of the licensee;
(7) impose probation requiring a licensee to report regularly to the board on matters related to the grounds for probation;
(8) impose a civil fine not to exceed $5,000.
(b) A board may withdraw probationary status if the deficiencies that required the sanction are remedied.
(c) A board may summarily suspend a licensee from the practice of the profession before a final hearing is held or during an appeal if the board finds that the licensee poses a clear and immediate danger to the public health and safety. A person is entitled to a hearing conducted by the office of administrative hearings (AS 44.64.010 ) to appeal the summary suspension within seven days after the order of suspension is issued. A person may appeal an adverse decision of the board on an appeal of a summary suspension to a court of competent jurisdiction.
(d) A board may reinstate a suspended or revoked license if, after a hearing, the board finds that the applicant is able to practice the profession with skill and safety.
(e) A board may accept the voluntary surrender of a license. A license may not be returned unless the board determines that the licensee is competent to resume practice and the licensee pays the appropriate renewal fee.
(f) A board shall seek consistency in the application of disciplinary sanctions. A board shall explain a significant departure from prior decisions involving similar facts in the order imposing the sanction.
Sec. 08.01.077. Conviction as grounds for disciplinary action.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, the conviction under AS 47.24.010 of a person licensed, certified, or regulated by the department or a board under this title may be considered by the department or board as grounds for disciplinary proceedings or sanctions.
Sec. 08.01.080. Department regulations.
The department shall adopt regulations to carry out the purposes of this chapter including but not limited to describing
(1) how an examination is to be conducted;
(2) what is contained in application forms;
(3) how a person applies for an examination or license.
Sec. 08.01.087. Investigative and enforcement powers of department.
(a) The department may, upon its own motion, conduct investigations to
(1) determine whether a person has violated a provision of this chapter or a regulation adopted under it, or a provision of AS 43.70, or a provision of this title or regulation adopted under this title dealing with an occupation or board listed in AS 08.01.010 ; or
(2) secure information useful in the administration of this chapter.
(b) If it appears to the commissioner that a person has engaged in or is about to engage in an act or practice in violation of a provision of this chapter or a regulation adopted under it, or a provision of AS 43.70, or a provision of this title or regulation adopted under this title dealing with an occupation or board listed in AS 08.01.010 , the commissioner may, if the commissioner considers it in the public interest, and after notification of a proposed order or action by telephone, telegraph, or facsimile to all board members, if a board regulates the act or practice involved, unless a majority of the members of the board object within 10 days,
(1) issue an order directing the person to stop the act or practice; however, reasonable notice of and an opportunity for a hearing must first be given to the person, except that the commissioner may issue a temporary order before a hearing is held; a temporary order remains in effect until a final order affirming, modifying, or reversing the temporary order is issued or until 15 days after the person receives the notice and has not requested a hearing by that time; a temporary order becomes final if the person to whom the notice is addressed does not request a hearing within 15 days after receiving the notice; the office of administrative hearings (AS 44.64.010 ) shall conduct the hearing and shall issue a proposed decision within 10 days after the hearing; the commissioner shall issue a final order within five days after the proposed decision is issued;
(2) bring an action in the superior court to enjoin the acts or practices and to enforce compliance with this chapter, a regulation adopted under it, an order issued under it, or with a provision of this title or regulation adopted under this title dealing with business licenses or an occupation or board listed in AS 08.01.010 ;
(3) examine or have examined the books and records of a person whose business activities require a business license or licensure by a board listed in AS 08.01.010 , or whose occupation is listed in AS 08.01.010 ; the commissioner may require the person to pay the reasonable costs of the examination; and
(4) issue subpoenas for the attendance of witnesses, and the production of books, records, and other documents.
(c) Under procedures and standards of operation established by the department by regulation, and with the agreement of the appropriate agency, the department may designate appropriate state or municipal agencies to investigate reports of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation of property by certified nurse aides.