What Alaska law adds on top of federal law for nurses and EMS, and who to call.
Every rule here was read on the statute, regulation or agency page it cites. Checked November 10, 2026.
General information, not legal advice. Laws change and your facts decide how they apply. Before you act, confirm with the agency listed here or with an employment lawyer or your union representative.
Who to call in Alaska
Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Wage and Hour SectionUnpaid wages and state labor complaints. Start a complaint · (907) 269-4900
U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour DivisionUnpaid wages and overtime, PUMP Act, FMLA. Contact · 1-866-487-9243
OSHAPrivate-employer safety complaints, and retaliation for raising safety (30 days under the OSH Act). Public employees: see Unions and public employers. Contact
In an Alaska health care facility, you can't be required or pressured to work past your agreed, regularly scheduled shift, or to take overtime you judge would jeopardize patient or employee safety. After your scheduled shift you're entitled to at least 10 consecutive hours off. Overtime you volunteer for falls outside these limits only while you stay within 14 consecutive hours. A complaint to the state labor commissioner has to be filed within 30 days of the violation.
Who it covers: RNs and LPNs giving direct patient care in Alaska health care facilities, except facilities run by the federal government or a tribal health organization.
Limits and exceptions to know (the law may have others; read the source):
Doesn't cover you at a facility run by the federal government (VA, military, IHS) or by a tribal organization, such as ANMC, YKHC or SEARHC. (AS 18.20.460)
Deadline: a complaint must reach the commissioner of labor and workforce development within 30 days after the violation. (AS 18.20.430(b))
Finishing a procedure or surgery already underway.
An unforeseen emergency such as terrorism, a disease outbreak or a declared disaster; foreseeable volume spikes or short staffing don't count.
Unforeseen weather so extreme your relief can't get there.
A rural facility's declared temporary nurse staffing emergency (written, up to 30 days, reported to the state labor division).
Agreed on-call time, unless you judge it creates an unacceptable safety risk.
The first two hours while the facility finds your replacement, as long as you don't pass 14 consecutive hours.
Certain school-event nurses, air medical transport nurses working voluntary overtime, and some children's and residential psychiatric facilities.
"to accept an assignment of overtime if, in the judgment of the nurse, the overtime would jeopardize patient or employee safety."
Fired: you must be paid everything owed within three working days after termination (weekends and holidays don't count). Quit: the statute says pay is due on the next regular payday that is at least three days after the employer received your notice; the labor department's FAQ counts from your last day worked, which is often later. Make your demand for final pay in writing and keep a copy: the late-payment penalty runs from the time of demand.
Who it covers: Employees of Alaska employers.
Limits and exceptions to know (the law may have others; read the source):
Quit: due at the next regular payday that is at least three days after the employer received notice of your quitting. (AS 23.05.140(b))
A late employer can owe a penalty of your regular pay from the time of demand to payment, up to 90 working days. (AS 23.05.140(d))
"If you are terminated by your employer, your employer must pay you all monies owed within three working days after the day of termination (not counting weekends and holidays). If you quit, you must be paid by the next regular payday that is at least three working days after your last day worked."
For Alaska we have not yet confirmed state rules on staffing ratios, plans and committees, meal and rest breaks. That does not mean Alaska has no rule on them: we leave a topic off until we have read it at the source, and only federal rules are shown for it here.