Starting residency · AK
Starting residency in Alaska
Alaska requires residents to hold a training license from the Alaska State Medical Board: the Resident Permit. Alaska has no state income tax on wages.
Training license
- Status
- Training license required
- Called
- Resident Permit
- Apply
- Board form: average processing time is six to eight weeks; it asks applicants to plan accordingly.
- Fee
- $100
- Renewal
- Valid for the residency at the Alaska institution, up to 36 months; renewable for up to 36 more months with board approval of a new application
Who applies: Resident, on a signed and notarized paper application; the program director sends a verification of good standing and the Alaska facility sends an acceptance of responsibility.
State law requires a permit to serve as a resident or intern in Alaska, including residents from out-of-state programs rotating in Alaska. The permit is limited to the residency, so it does not cover moonlighting. Facts come from the board's permit form (revised 2024) and its statutes and regulations.
Full license: After 2 years of postgraduate training for US graduates (MD or DO) who graduated on or after January 1, 1995; 3 years for IMGs, or an alternative the board accepts such as ABMS certification. A full license matters if you plan to moonlight.
Source: Alaska State Medical Board
State income tax
No state income tax on wages.
Source: taxfoundation.org
Match Day to your first loan payment
Assumes you enroll in RAP or IBR when the grace period ends, recertify once a year, and file each tax return by April. Your servicer's dates govern.
Mid-March
Match Day
You learn where you'll train. Your program sends its residency (GME) agreement and onboarding steps.
March–April
Alaska training license
Apply for your Alaska training license as soon as your program sends instructions. Applications often need school records and background checks that take weeks.
April–June
Credentialing and onboarding
Hospital credentialing, health screening, payroll and benefits forms, and a DEA registration if your program requires one.
Late June–July 1
Move and start
Intern orientation usually starts in the last week of June. When the first paycheck arrives depends on the hospital's payroll schedule, so budget for a few weeks of moving costs without one.
About 6 months after graduation
Federal loan grace period ends
Payments start 6 months after you leave school. Choose a plan before then, or request residency forbearance, during which interest accrues and months don't count toward PSLF.
First year of payments
Payments use last year's income
RAP and IBR use the adjusted gross income on your most recent tax return, which for most new residents is a student year. Payments rise after you recertify with a resident's income.
One board licenses MDs and DOs.
Related
- Compare RAP, IBR and Tiered Standard on a resident's income
- Alaska physician non-compete law, for when you sign your first attending contract
- All states
General information, checked on the date above. Board requirements and fees change; confirm with the Alaska State Medical Boardand your program before you apply.