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What is the Alaska Academy of PAs (AKAPA)?
The Alaska Academy of PAs (AKAPA) is the professional membership organization for physician associates/assistants practicing in Alaska. Its site functions as a hub for state-level advocacy, member networking, continuing education and job listings, rather than as a consumer health resource or a clinic directory.
What the site actually offers
- Advocacy and regulation tracking. The homepage highlights PA practice modernization and current Alaska state regulations, with recurring legislative and regulatory update meetings (listed as Zoom sessions) and implementation slides tied to statute changes (SB89, AS 08.64). The site notes the law's effective date of 9/16/2026 and advises PAs to keep existing collaboration plans in place until then.
- Membership infrastructure. A member directory ("Find a Member"), member benefits, committee and board information, and a separate ASMA membership option.
- Events and education. The All-Alaska Medical Conference appears with separate attendee and sponsor/exhibitor registration, alongside a journal club and student programming.
- Students and early-career PAs. An AK PA program section, the Jessica Stevens Memorial Scholarship, student forums and a student corner.
- Career and recognition. Job listings, PA of the Year nominations and board self-nominations.
- Community and fundraising. Photo albums, gear orders, sponsorship/donation options and a business sponsor list.
Who it suits
| Reader | Why they'd use it |
|---|---|
| Practicing PAs in Alaska | Regulatory updates, legislative meetings, job listings, directory |
| PAs relocating to Alaska | Licensing context, state medical board links, membership |
| PA students | Scholarships, forums, conference registration |
| Employers, vendors, exhibitors | Sponsorship, exhibit registration, advertising |
| Anyone outside Alaska | Limited value; it is a state chapter site |
A practical next step
If you are a PA in Alaska, start with the legislative and regulatory update meeting listing and the SB89 implementation slides, then confirm details with the chapter directly ([email protected], 907-646-0588) before changing your collaboration or credentialing arrangements. The site itself cautions that the slides are not a substitute for legal advice, so verify against the Alaska State Medical Board and the current statute.
For national rather than state-level resources, the American Academy of PAs (AAPA) and NCCPA (NCCPA) are the relevant bodies; the Alaska State Medical Board handles licensing for the state.
How do I find a physician assistant in Alaska?
The Alaska Academy of PAs (AKAPA) offers a public Find a Member directory on its website, which is the most direct route for locating a PA in Alaska. According to the site, this is a link to the organization's member directory. Because it lists AKAPA members, it is best for finding PAs who are active in the state professional community; it is not a complete roster of every licensed PA in Alaska.
For a comprehensive search, use the state licensing board instead. Every practicing PA in Alaska must hold a state license, so the Alaska State Medical Board is the authoritative source for verifying credentials, license status and any disciplinary history. AKAPA links to it under Useful Links. The American Academy of PAs also maintains a national "find a PA" tool that can be filtered by state, useful if you want to search by specialty or location beyond AKAPA's membership.
Quick comparison
| Route | Best for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| AKAPA Find a Member | Connecting with PAs involved in the Alaska academy | Members only; not every licensed PA appears |
| Alaska State Medical Board | Verifying a license, checking status or discipline | Not a specialty or "accepting patients" directory |
| American Academy of PAs | Broad specialty and location search | National; Alaska listings may be thinner |
A practical next step
If you are a patient looking for a provider, start with your insurance plan's directory or your primary care clinic's referral list, then confirm the individual's license on the Alaska State Medical Board site. If you are a PA or student seeking colleagues, networking or advocacy contacts, the AKAPA directory and its events are the better fit. You can reach the academy at [email protected] or 907-646-0588 with directory questions.
What should Alaska PAs know about the 2026 PA practice modernization law (SB89)?
Alaska's SB89 changes how physician assistants (now "PAs") will be regulated, but the key date is September 16, 2026. Until then, the Alaska Academy of PAs advises PAs to keep their current collaboration plans in place, even if they work for an organization named in the exemption language.
What the change means in practice
- The law moves Alaska toward a modernized PA practice framework, and the academy credits six years of advocacy plus work by Senator Tobin.
- The state medical board is still building the application process for an exemption for experienced PAs. That process is not yet open, so there is nothing to file today.
- The academy says it will post updates on its website as the board establishes those procedures.
What to do before the effective date
- Do not drop your current collaboration agreement. Keep existing plans and supervisory documents active through September 16, 2026.
- Watch for the exemption application. Experienced PAs who want the exemption will need to apply once the board publishes the process.
- Use the implementation slides. The academy posted SB89 implementation slides as a starting point for leadership and credentialing staff. It notes these are not legal advice, so route final decisions through your employer's legal or compliance team.
- Join the Friday advocacy meetings for updates and questions.
Who each resource is for
| Audience | Useful next step |
|---|---|
| Practicing PA with a collaboration plan | Confirm it stays in force until 9/16/2026; ask your credentialing office to review the implementation slides |
| Experienced PA seeking the exemption | Wait for the board's application process, then apply |
| Employer, credentialing or legal staff | Use the slides to map statute changes into credentialing workflows |
| PA student or new graduate | Follow academy updates and the student resources |
Where to start
The Alaska Academy of PAs is the hub for these updates: Alaska Academy of PAs. Its Useful Links section points to the Alaska State Medical Board, which will run the exemption process, along with the American Academy of PAs and NCCPA.
A practical first move: ask your employer's credentialing or legal contact to read the SB89 implementation slides alongside Alaska Statute 08.64, then set a calendar reminder ahead of September 16, 2026 to revisit your collaboration plan.
How can I register for or sponsor the All-Alaska Medical Conference?
Registration and sponsorship are handled through separate forms on the AKAPA site. Both are tied to the 2026 All-Alaska Medical Conference at the BP Energy Center in Anchorage.
To attend: use the Attendee Registration | 2026 All-Alaska Medical Conference link on the homepage. The entry in the events list shows the conference starting 14 Oct 2026 at 8:00 AM at the BP Energy Center, 1014 Energy Ct, Anchorage, AK 99508.
To sponsor or exhibit: use the Sponsor & Exhibitor Registration | 2026 All-Alaska Medical Conference link, also listed for 14 Oct 2026 at the same venue. If you want to understand what sponsorship involves before committing, the Sponsor or donate page describes sponsorship opportunities, and the AKAPA Business Sponsors section shows current supporters.
Alaska Academy of PAs
Choosing between the two
| Goal | Where to go | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Attend sessions, earn credit, network | Attendee Registration | Individual seat at the conference |
| Reach PAs as a company or clinic | Sponsor & Exhibitor Registration | Visibility with attendees; exhibit space depending on level |
| Support AKAPA without exhibiting | Sponsor or donate | Contribution to the academy's work |
Practical notes
- Sponsorship levels and exhibit details are not spelled out on the homepage; check the sponsor page or contact the academy directly before budgeting.
- If you are unsure which form fits, email [email protected] or call/text 907-646-0588. The academy also lists an Exhibit or Sponsor entry under Events.
- Register early if you need a booth location or want your logo in pre-conference materials; those deadlines usually fall before the attendee cutoff. Confirm both dates with the organizers.
Next step: open the sponsor page first if you are representing an organization, since it determines whether you also need attendee registrations for your staff.
How do I join AKAPA or renew my membership?
Joining or renewing AKAPA membership starts on the Membership section of the site, which links to both a "Join us" page and a "Member Benefits" page. From there you can review what membership includes before starting an application. The site also offers a FIND A MEMBER directory link, which is useful for confirming your listing is active after you join or renew.
If you are a new member
Use the Join us link under Membership to start an application. Before you commit, skim Member Benefits and the Directory entry so you know what you are getting — particularly whether you want a public-facing profile in the member directory.
If you are renewing
Because the site has a Log in link in its main navigation, renewals are most likely handled through your existing account. Log in first, then look for a renewal option in your profile or the Membership area. If you cannot find it, the site's contact details are listed below.
Who this suits
AKAPA is a state chapter, so its membership is aimed at PAs practicing or training in Alaska, plus students in the Alaska PA program. The site lists student-specific sections, scholarships and a student forum, which suggests a distinct student pathway. If you practice outside Alaska, a national body such as American Academy of PAs may be more relevant, though AKAPA does link to it as a useful resource.
Practical next step
If the join or renewal path is unclear, contact the academy directly — the site lists [email protected] and 907-646-0588. Note that the site also advertises upcoming events, including a legislative and regulatory update meeting and the All-Alaska Medical Conference, so it is worth checking whether your membership year lines up with conference registration if you plan to attend.
What scholarships and awards does AKAPA offer for PA students and practicing PAs?
AKAPA offers two named recognitions: the Jessica Stevens Memorial Scholarship for PA students and the PA of the Year award for practicing PAs. The site presents both as online actions — students "Apply for the Jessica Stevens Memorial Scholarship," and members can "Nominate a colleague for PA of the Year" — with a separate nomination form also listed for the Board of Directors.
Who each one fits
- PA students: The Jessica Stevens Memorial Scholarship is the student-facing opportunity. It sits in the Students section alongside the AK PA Program, Student Corner, and Student Forums, so it is aimed at people currently in a PA program rather than working PAs.
- Practicing PAs: PA of the Year is a peer-nomination award. You put forward a colleague rather than applying for yourself, which makes it useful for teams or employers who want to recognize someone's contributions to the profession in Alaska.
- Leadership-track PAs: Board of Directors nominations are a related but different opportunity — a governance role, not an award or scholarship.
| Opportunity | Audience | How you engage |
|---|---|---|
| Jessica Stevens Memorial Scholarship | PA students | Submit an application |
| PA of the Year | Practicing PAs | Nominate a colleague |
| Board of Directors | Members willing to serve | Nominate yourself or a peer |
Practical next step
Check the Students section for the scholarship application and the About/Members area for the PA of the Year nomination form, and note the deadlines before you start. If you are unsure which category you fall into — for example, a student on clinical rotations versus a newly certified PA — the student listing is the clearer starting point for the scholarship, while the award is aimed at PAs already in practice.
For broader student financial aid beyond AKAPA, the American Academy of PAs is the professional body to check, and the Alaska State Medical Board is the regulator whose pages are linked from AKAPA's Useful Links. These are listed on the site itself: American Academy of PAs and Alaska State Medical Board.
One caveat: the page shows headings and links but no award amounts, eligibility criteria, or deadlines, so confirm those details directly with AKAPA at [email protected] before relying on any assumption.
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