The psychology compact known as the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact, or PSYPACT would allow qualified licensed psychologists to continue providing therapy to clients that were traveling out of state or to clients that are out of state for a long duration as long as they were in another PSYPACT state.

In the 2026 Alaska Legislature, a bill titled the “Healthcare Licensing Compacts” (HB352), would allow Alaska to join compacts for medical professionals, allowing expedited licensing for physicians, physician assistants, psychologists, and EMS. Representative Fields and Representative Gray are the sponsors of the bill that is currently in the Labor & Commerce and Finance Committee.

The AK-PA board began discussing PSYPACT during their February Board Meeting (2026) and decided to survey the membership before making a statement on PSYPACT. The March Board meeting was fully dedicated to PSYPACT with guest Janet Orwig, PSYPACT’s Executive Director attending to answer questions. After discussing the benefits and concerns at length a majority of AK-PA’s board members at the meeting voted to support HB352 and endorse PSYPACT. A letter of endorsement was drafted and sent to the HB352 committee. The letter also noted that AK-PA would work to address two main concerns. First is to confirm that graduates of the doctoral program in Psychology at Alaska Pacific University will be eligible to seek PSYPACT credentials, and second, that AK-PA is committed to promoting culturally competent psychological practice in the state by developing a plan to disseminate continuing education material for out-of-state psychologists who wish to practice in Alaska via PSYPACT. We would coordinate this effort with the Board of Psychologists and Psychological Associates.

PSYPACT Survey to Continue through March 31, 2026

The PSYPACT survey will now be open to non-member licensed psychologists through the end of March and can be taken at this link: https://www.ak-pa.org/lac/

AK-PA Letter of Endorsement

AK-PA Letter to HLAC – HB352

Track Bill HB352

https://www.akleg.gov/basis/Bill/Detail/34?Root=HB%20352#tab6_4