Alaska EMS clinicians face fingerprint background check deadlines in 2027 and 2028

The Alaska Office of EMS's 2026 relicensure guide sets deadlines for EMS clinicians to clear a fingerprint background check through the New Alaska Background Check System. EMT-1s must comply by Dec. 31, 2027, and all other license levels by March 31, 2028.

House Bill 110 created the requirement and has been law since June. It does not apply this renewal cycle. New license applicants face it starting April 1, 2027. The guide warns that transition rules for current licensees may still change.

The office says the fingerprint rules are separate from the EMS Compact, which took effect Sept. 20 under the same bill.

The background check fee was $87 through Sept. 30, according to an August state FAQ, and rose to about $90 after an FBI fee increase took effect Oct. 1. Taking the fingerprints can cost extra, since the Department of Public Safety charges $30 for that service. Unpaid volunteers at state-operated agencies or 501(c)(3) nonprofits may get the $40 state application fee waived, though not the other charges.

Where no fingerprinting location exists within 100 miles by road, state rules may allow provisional status if prints follow within 30 days. The office says it is still finalizing how that provision applies to EMS licensing.