Become a Nurse in Alabama - Licensure & Requirements

NOTE: Nursing requirements change rapidly. Make sure to confirm licensing requirements with the Alabama State Board of Nursing before applying for licensure. Last updated: 1/20/2015

Education Requirements for Nursing Licenses in Alabama
Nursing Licenses in Alabama Master's Required?
Certified Nurse-Midwife Yes
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist Yes
Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner Yes
Clinical Nurse Specialist Yes
Registered Nurse (RN) No
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) No

Alabama Nursing Salary Average

Below, find opportunities for nursing scholarships in Alabama. Click on the nursing scholarship’s name to learn more. For additional nursing financial aid options take a look at our nursing scholarships and grants page.

Licensed Nursing Assistant: $21,590
Licensed Practice Nurse: $35,180
Registered Nurse: $55,870
Advanced Practice Registered Nurse: >$80,000*

*The Salary of an advanced practice nurse in Alabama can vary widely based upon specialization. Learn more about Alabama nursing salary.

Learn about financial aid options for nurses on our nursing scholarships and grants page.

There are many paths to become a nurse in Alabama. The path you take will mostly depend upon the type of nurse you’d like to become and your current or prospective level of education. The higher your level of education, the more opportunities you’ll have to choose where and how you pursue your career in nursing.

In addition to nursing salaries in Alabama, you’ll find information on acquiring and maintaining several types of Alabama nursing licensure. We’re constantly making updates, but with the speed of change in the healthcare sphere it’s difficult to stay current. If you have any comments or suggestions for our information on nursing in Alabama, please let us know!

Compact State Status

Alabama is not a Nursing Licensure Compact State.

Prescriptive Authority in Alabama

Certified Registered Nurse Practitioners who have completed coursework in pharmacology and who work in collaboration with a physician can be granted prescriptive authority. In Alabama, nurses may CRNPs may prescribe under Schedule III-V, and all prescriptions must show the name, address, and telephone number of the collaborating physician.

Alabama Nursing Licensure Renewal

Alabama nursing licenses renew every 2 years. Assignment to odd- or even-numbered renewal years will depend on the degree held. 24 continuing education units (CEUs) are required for all nurses and Certified Registered Nurse Practitioners (CRNPs), and all national certifications must also be maintained.

Sponsored Online Healthcare Programs

Nursing@Georgetown

Nursing@Georgetown is an academically rigorous, evidence-based program that culminates in a Master of Science degree in Nursing, delivered online by Georgetown University’s nationally ranked School of Nursing & Health Studies.

Nursing@Simmons

Nursing@Simmons is an online Family Nurse Practitioner program designed for currently licensed RNs who are at various stages of their career.

Nursing@USC

The USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work Department of Nursing offers an online Master of Science in Nursing program for aspiring family nurse practitioners through Nursing@USC.

MPH@Simmons

MPH@Simmons, the online Master of Public Health from Simmons College, is designed to give you the real-world skills you need to address health inequity on a local, national, and global level.

MPH@GW

An innovative online Master of Public Health program offered by the top-ranked Milken Institute School of Public Health at the George Washington University.

MHA@GW

Offered by the Milken Institute School of Public Health at the George Washington University, this online Executive Master of Health Administration program is designed for healthcare professionals who aspire to become leaders in their field.

HealthInformatics@GW

This online Master of Science in Management of Health Informatics and Analytics program from the Milken Institute School of Public Health at the George Washington University enables graduates to improve the efficiency of health care organizations through the use of data and technology.

Sponsored Online Healthcare Programs


Certified Nurse Midwife in Alabama

Education
Graduation from a nurse midwifery education program and master’s or higher degree in nursing.
 
Examination
Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM) Exam from the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB)

Fees
$100 Physician’s Collaborative Practice Fee and $750 Certification Examination Fee

Experience
None

Certification Required
Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM) from the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB)

Renewal
CNMs renew licenses every two years on the last day of the nurse’s birth month. Advanced practice nurses must have an active R.N. license to practice. Requirements for CNM renewal are the successful completion of the American Midwife Certification Board (AMCB) certificate maintenance program and payment of a $65 annual fee. Please note that the certificate maintenance program must be completed every five years, but the annual fee must be paid every year in addition to the R.N. renewal. CNMs with prescriptive rights must complete five continuing education units (CEUs) in pharmacology specific to their practice area during each licensing period. Individuals practicing as a CNM must renew their license through the AMCB every five years. Must renew with the state of Alabama at the time of renewing RN license.

Additional Information
An Active Registered Nurse License Is Required for Application.

Endorsement
Available through Verification by the Board of Nursing. Contact the Board of Nursing to determine whether you need to send an original verification or order one from Nursys.
 

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist in Alabama

Education
Master’s Degree or Higher from a Nurse Anesthetist Program Accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs
ExaminationCertified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) Exam from the National Board on Certification and Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA)

Fees
$150 for initial approval, $725 Certification Examination Fee

Experience
None

Certification Required
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) from the National Board on Certification and Recertification Of Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA)

Renewal
License renewal is required through the Alabama Board of Nursing every two years at the same time as RN licensure renewal. Any national certifications also need to be maintained in addition to paying the registered nurse (R.N.) renewal fees.

Additional Information
An Active Registered Nurse License Is Required for Application.

Endorsement
Available through Verification by the Board of Nursing. Contact the Board of Nursing to determine whether you need to send an original verification or order one from Nursys.
 

Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner in Alabama

Education
Master’s Degree or Higher from an Approved Nurse Practitioner Program

Examination
Varies for Different Certifications

Fees
Physician’s Collaborative Practice Fee ($100.00), Certification Examination Fee (Varies for Different Certifications)
 
Experience
None

Certification Required
Certification as a nurse practitioner in the specialty consistent with NP education from a national certifying body recognized by the Alabama Board of Nursing.
RenewalNurse Practitioner Certification from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB), or the National Certification Corporation (NCC)

Additional Information
An Active Registered Nurse License Is Required for Application.

Endorsement
Available through Verification by the Board of Nursing. Contact the Board of Nursing to determine whether you need to send an original verification or order one from Nursys.
 

Clinical Nurse Specialist in Alabama

Education
Master’s Degree or Higher from an Approved Clinical Nurse Specialist Program

Examination
Varies for Different Certifications

Fees
$150 for initial approval, Certification Examination Fee (Varies for Different Certifications)

Experience
None

Certification Required
Certification as a Clinical Nurse Specialist from a national certifying body recognized by the Alabama Board of Nursing: American Nurses Credentialing Center, American Association of Critical-Care Nurses Certification Corporation, Oncology Nursing Certification Council (A-OCN); Wound, Ostomy and Continence

Renewal
Clinical Nurse Specialists must renew advanced licenses when renewing RN license and must also renew their national certifications. Renewal deadlines and requirements will vary for different Certifications.

Additional Information
An Active Registered Nurse License Is Required for Application.
EndorsementAvailable through Verification by the Board of Nursing. Contact the Board of Nursing to determine whether you need to send an original verification or order one from Nursys.
 

Registered Nurse (RN) in Alabama

Education
Has successfully completed an educational program in a school of nursing approved by the board and is a citizen of the United States

Examination
NCLEX-RN

Fees
$85 Application Fee, $200 Examination Fee

Experience
None

Renewal
Every even year from September to November, $75

Additional Information
None
Endorsement
Available through Verification by the Board of Nursing. Contact the Board of Nursing to determine whether you need to send an original verification or order one from Nursys.
 

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in Alabama

Education
Has successfully completed an educational program of at least one year’s duration in a school of practical nursing, approved by the board
ExaminationNCLEX-PN

Fees
$85 Application Fee, $200 Examination Fee

Experience
None

Renewal
Every Odd Year From Setember to November, $75

Additional Information
None

Endorsement
Available through Verification by the Board of Nursing. Contact the Board of Nursing to determine whether you need to send an original verification or order one from Nursys.
Sponsored Online Healthcare Programs

Nursing@Georgetown

Nursing@Georgetown is an academically rigorous, evidence-based program that culminates in a Master of Science degree in Nursing, delivered online by Georgetown University’s nationally ranked School of Nursing & Health Studies.

Nursing@Simmons

Nursing@Simmons is an online Family Nurse Practitioner program designed for currently licensed RNs who are at various stages of their career.

Nursing@USC

The USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work Department of Nursing offers an online Master of Science in Nursing program for aspiring family nurse practitioners through Nursing@USC.

MPH@Simmons

MPH@Simmons, the online Master of Public Health from Simmons College, is designed to give you the real-world skills you need to address health inequity on a local, national, and global level.

MPH@GW

An innovative online Master of Public Health program offered by the top-ranked Milken Institute School of Public Health at the George Washington University.

MHA@GW

Offered by the Milken Institute School of Public Health at the George Washington University, this online Executive Master of Health Administration program is designed for healthcare professionals who aspire to become leaders in their field.

HealthInformatics@GW

This online Master of Science in Management of Health Informatics and Analytics program from the Milken Institute School of Public Health at the George Washington University enables graduates to improve the efficiency of health care organizations through the use of data and technology.

Sponsored Online Healthcare Programs