Alabama Nursing License Requirements 2026
The Alabama Board of Nursing (ABN) licenses both registered nurses and licensed practical nurses. First-time applicants qualify through examination after completing an approved program and passing the NCLEX. Alabama joined the Nurse Licensure Compact in January 2020, so eligible residents can apply for a multistate license valid across all NLC member states.
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The ABN oversees approximately 100,000 active RN and LPN licenses in the state. Whether you’re applying for the first time, transferring from another state, or renewing an existing license, all licensing runs through the ABN’s online portal. Requirements and fees are subject to change. Verify current figures at abn.alabama.gov before you apply.
Use the links below to jump to LPN and RN requirements, endorsement procedures, compact licensing, and renewal information.
- LPN License Requirements
- LPN by Endorsement
- RN License Requirements
- RN by Endorsement
- Nurse Licensure Compact
- License Renewal
- License Verification
- Internationally Educated Nurses
LPN Requirements in Alabama
LPN Education
To qualify for an LPN license in Alabama, you must complete a Board-approved practical nursing program. The ABN lists approved programs on its website along with NCLEX-PN pass rates and contact information for each school. Programs with pass rates below 80% receive a note of deficiency from the Board. Most approved LPN programs are diploma or certificate programs running 12 to 18 months.
When selecting a program, confirm it carries ABN approval. Graduates of unapproved programs are not eligible for licensure. For help evaluating LPN programs in Alabama, see LPN programs in Alabama.
LPN Application Process
After graduating, you’ll submit an online application through the ABN portal along with your official transcripts. The ABN reviews transcripts directly. Send them after you’ve submitted your application, not before. The application includes regulatory questions about criminal history. A prior conviction doesn’t automatically disqualify you, but it can extend processing time. Have all supporting documentation ready before you submit.
First-time applicants can request a temporary permit alongside the initial application for an additional fee. This permit, officially called a Nursing Graduate – PN Program (NG-PNP), allows you to work under direct supervision while waiting for your exam results. It’s valid for up to 90 days and is immediately invalidated if you fail the NCLEX-PN.
NCLEX-PN Exam
Once the ABN confirms your eligibility, Pearson VUE will issue an Authorization to Test (ATT). Register for the NCLEX-PN at pearsonvue.com/nclex. The registration fee is $200. You must schedule and sit for your exam within the window specified in your ATT. Bring the ATT letter and a valid ID to the testing center.
Candidates who don’t pass can retake the exam once 45 days have elapsed. A reexamination application and additional fee are required. Retake candidates are no longer eligible to work under a temporary permit.
Alabama LPN Professional Organization
Practical nurses may wish to join the Alabama Chapter of the National Association of Licensed Practical Nurses.
LPN by Endorsement
LPNs who hold an active license in another U.S. jurisdiction apply by endorsement rather than by exam. To be eligible, you must have completed an approved practical nursing program. LPNs who qualified by partially completing a registered nursing program are not eligible for endorsement into Alabama.
You’ll submit your endorsement application online through the ABN portal, then arrange for official transcripts and license verification to be sent directly from the issuing source to the ABN. Depending on your state’s system, license verification may be handled either online through Nursys.com or on paper. Continuing education certificates may be faxed. Official transcripts and license verification cannot.
You must verify continuing education hours completed within the past 24 months before a permanent license can be issued. Confirm the current CE requirement directly with the Alabama Board of Nursing at abn.alabama.gov before applying. A temporary permit is available to candidates who submit a notarized copy of a current license. The CE requirement doesn’t have to be met first. Temporary permits require three things: an application, a fee, and a notarized copy of the license. Confirm current endorsement and temporary permit fees at abn.alabama.gov.
RN License Requirements in Alabama
RN Education Requirements
RN applicants must complete an approved, accredited professional nursing program. The ABN lists approved programs along with NCLEX-RN pass rates for each school’s graduates. Both associate degree in nursing (ADN) and bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) programs qualify for initial RN licensure in Alabama. For guidance on programs in the state, see the RN programs in Alabama page. For an overview of RN roles, scope of practice, and career outlook in the state, see RN career paths in Alabama.
NCLEX-RN Exam
After graduating, you’ll need ABN authorization before registering for the NCLEX-RN. The ABN has published instructional videos on abn.alabama.gov that walk graduating students through each step. Once Pearson VUE issues your ATT, you can schedule a computer-adaptive test at a testing center in Alabama or another state.
NCLEX registration and scheduling are two separate steps. The registration fee is $200, paid to Pearson VUE. The candidate handbook at pearsonvue.com/nclex covers the full process in detail.
Temporary Permit
First-time exam applicants can request a temporary permit with their initial application for an additional fee. A professional nursing graduate working under this status is called a Nursing Graduate-RN Program (NG-RNP). The NG-RNP must work under direct, on-site supervision by a registered nurse and cannot take charge of duties. Alabama requires the supervising nurse to be physically present at the facility.
The temporary permit is valid up to 90 days and is immediately invalidated if you fail the NCLEX-RN. An unsuccessful candidate may retake the exam after 45 days and must pay the applicable reexamination fee.
Alabama RN Professional Organization
Registered nurses may wish to join the Alabama State Nurses Association.
RN by Endorsement
RNs who hold an active license in another U.S. jurisdiction apply by endorsement. Submit your application online through the ABN portal, then arrange for official transcripts and license verification to be sent to the ABN directly from the issuing source. These documents cannot be faxed. Continuing education certificates may be faxed.
Applicants should verify current continuing education requirements with the Alabama Board of Nursing before applying, as endorsement CE requirements are subject to change. A notarized copy of your current license is sufficient to obtain a temporary permit. The CE requirement doesn’t have to be met first. Initial endorsement applicants complete a fingerprint-based background check through FieldPrint. Results go directly to the ABN.
If you’re moving to Alabama and making it your primary state of residence, confirm the current residency transition timeline with the ABN, as the required window for applying for an Alabama license is set by NLC rules that may be updated. If your previous home state issued you a multistate compact license and Alabama is a participating state, you may be able to begin practicing right away. Confirm your specific situation with the ABN before assuming compact privileges apply.
Nurse Licensure Compact in Alabama
Alabama joined the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC) effective January 1, 2020. Membership lets eligible Alabama residents hold a single multistate license valid for practice in all NLC member states without obtaining additional state licenses. More than 40 states now participate in the compact.
To qualify for a multistate license, Alabama must be your primary state of residence, and you must meet all eNLC eligibility requirements, including a clean background check and no active alternative-to-discipline monitoring. If you already hold a valid multistate license issued by another compact state and Alabama is not your primary residence, you can practice in Alabama under that license without a separate application in Alabama.
APRNs with RN multistate licenses from other compact states must still apply for Alabama advanced practice approval before practicing as an APRN in the state. Compact privileges cover RN practice only. A current list of NLC member states is available at ncsbn.org.
License Renewal in Alabama
Alabama nursing licenses renew on a two-year cycle. Both RNs and LPNs must complete 24 contact hours of board-approved continuing education within each renewal period. The ABN offers CE resources for working nurses through its online portal. Confirm current CE categories and approved providers at abn.alabama.gov.
Monitor your renewal deadline through the ABN portal. A lapsed license requires reinstatement, not just renewal, so late renewals create additional steps and fees. Confirm current CE requirements and renewal deadlines directly with the ABN before your renewal window opens.
License Verification in Alabama
Because Alabama participates in the NLC, RN and LPN license verification is available through Nursys.com, the national licensure database maintained by the NCSBN. Nursys provides real-time verification of current licensure status for compact states and is used routinely by employers for pre-hire screening.
For nurses originally licensed in non-compact states, verification must be requested directly from the original licensing state. Nurses can also check their own license status and renewal date through the ABN portal at abn.alabama.gov.
Internationally Educated Nurses
International nurses whose programs were approved by their home country’s licensing agency are eligible for licensure in Alabama but must meet additional requirements. Before applying to sit for the NCLEX, pursue certification through the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS). A course-by-course educational evaluation is required. Any identified deficiencies may be addressed through additional coursework.
You must provide a Social Security number before a license can be issued. Your nursing program must substantially meet Alabama’s educational standards to be eligible for endorsement.
Alabama Nursing Organizations
- Alabama Association of Nursing Students
- Alabama State Nurses Association
- Alabama Chapter of the National Association of Licensed Practical Nurses
- Alabama Board of Nursing
- Nursing Support Tech Requirements in Alabama
- Advanced Practice Nurse Requirements in Alabama
- Becoming an LPN in Alabama
Find nursing licensure requirements by state for RNs, LPNs, LVNs, and advanced practice nurses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Alabama a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact?
Yes. Alabama joined the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact effective January 1, 2020. Eligible Alabama residents can apply for a multistate license through the ABN portal. Nurses who already hold a valid multistate license from another compact state can practice in Alabama without a separate Alabama license, provided Alabama isn’t their primary state of residence.
How do I verify an Alabama nursing license?
Alabama RN and LPN licenses can be verified through Nursys.com, the NCSBN’s national licensure database. Nursys provides real-time status for compact state licenses and is commonly used by employers for pre-hire checks. Nurses can also view their own license status and renewal dates through the ABN portal at abn.alabama.gov.
How many continuing education hours does Alabama require for renewal?
Alabama requires 24 contact hours of board-approved CE during each two-year renewal period. Both RNs and LPNs must meet this requirement before renewing their licenses. The ABN’s Alabama Nursing Resource Center provides CE opportunities directly through the Board.
Can I work in Alabama while waiting for my NCLEX results?
Yes, if you requested a temporary permit with your initial application. LPN graduates work under the NG-PNP status. RN graduates work under the NG-RNP status. Both require direct, on-site supervision by a licensed RN. The permit is valid up to 90 days and is immediately voided if you don’t pass the NCLEX.
What does Alabama require for endorsement from another state?
You must hold an active, unencumbered license and have completed a program that substantially meets Alabama’s educational standards. Confirm current continuing education requirements with the ABN before applying. Official transcripts and license verification from your original state must be sent directly to the ABN. They can’t be faxed. Initial endorsement applicants also complete a fingerprint-based background check through FieldPrint.
Key Takeaways
- Alabama is an NLC compact state — The state joined the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact on January 1, 2020. Eligible residents can hold a multistate license valid in all current NLC member states.
- ABN approval is required for all programs — Both LPN and RN applicants must graduate from a Board-approved program. Graduates of unapproved programs cannot sit for the NCLEX in Alabama.
- Temporary permits allow supervised practice — First-time applicants can request a permit with their initial application, allowing them to work under direct supervision while their NCLEX results are pending.
- Endorsement requires 24 CE hours — Both LPN and RN endorsement applicants must verify 24 contact hours of CE completed in the past 24 months before a permanent license is issued.
- License verification runs through Nursys.com — Alabama’s compact membership means nurses’ license status is accessible in real time through the NCSBN’s national database.
Find approved RN and LPN programs in Alabama and compare options by location, program type, and accreditation status.