Free one-hour EMS session Sept. 2 on Alaska's new fingerprint rules

The Alaska Office of EMS opens its free online continuing-education series at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 2, with an hour on new background check rules. Register through the state's EMS License Management System course finder.

Starting Sept. 20, Alaska will shift EMS clinician screening to fingerprint-based checks as the state joins the multistate EMS Compact under House Bill 110. It became law in June, Chapter 28 SLA 26. State EMS Medical Director Michael Levy will join to cover priorities and Compact implementation.

The Compact lets licensed EMS clinicians practice across state lines through a "Privilege to Practice," but it's not a national license; local agencies retain authority over scope. Out-of-state EMTs and paramedics can't use it yet since Alaska hasn't built its verification system.

Meanwhile, the office says clinicians should wait for instructions before paying fees or submitting fingerprints. The check costs $87 through Sept. 30 and $90 after, as the FBI's share rises to $15.