Alabama

Welcome to the Yellowhammer state!

" The Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC) is an agreement between states that allows nurses to have one license but the ability to practice in other states that are part of the agreement.

Originally developed in 2000, in 2024 the license had grown to include at least 25 states. To help streamline the process for nurses the Enhanced Nursing Licensure Compact (eNLC) was implemented in 2018 and included standards for licensure which the originally compact license was lacking.

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The Alabama Board of Nursing’s (ABN) mission is to provide patients with competent medical staff through regulation and licensing requirements. If you are interested in working in Alabama, you should be aware of the ABN’s unique licensing requirements. Alabama is not a compact state and will require licensure by endorsement if you have never held a license there before. On this page you will find general information regarding the ABN’s endorsement, renewal, and continuing competency requirements

Endorsements

Application for license endorsement is required for nurses who received their license in another state. The requirements for endorsement are listed below.

Apply for licensure endorsement
Complete application (you will need a Social Security Number to complete the application)
Pay required fees
- Application: $100
- Temporary Permit: $50
- Transaction Fee: $3.50
You must be a nursing school graduate. Your education program must be either an RN or PN program.
Original nursing school transcript to be mailed (not faxed) to ABN
Original (not fax) verification of licensure from your original state’s board of nursing Mailed to ABN. Use the Request for Verification of Nursing License for Endorsement into Alabama form if the state you were originally licensed in does not participate in NURSYS®.
Verification of original licensure in states that participage in NURSYS® must be ordered from www.nursys.com
24 contact hours of continuing education must have been completed within the last 24 months and mailed or faxed to ABN
Applicant must submit proof of citizenship or lawful presence in the US to ABN. A checklist for citizens and non-citizens can be found on the ABN website.

Continuing Competency

24 contact hours are required for endorsement. There are several methods for obtaining required contact hours. According to the Alaama Board of Nursing, “We typically accept CE courses that are approved or accredited by any state board of nursing, state nurses association, or national organization such as the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). You may search the internet for CE for nurses to locate online providers.” By the way, did you know ACLS.net offers accredited courses?

Rev 3/31/16 610-X-10-.04 Acceptable Providers Of Continuing Education. (b) Continuing education approved by national associations or organizations that are accredited by a national continuing education body. Any continuing education provider approved by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) (e) AMA PRA Category 1 Credits sponsored or conducted by those organizations or entities accredited by the Council on Medical Education of the Medical Association of the State of Alabama or by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME).

License cards/advanced practice approval cards discontinued effective July 5, 2016

Visit ABN for more information regarding license cards