Nursing requirements change rapidly. Make sure to confirm licensing requirements with the Alabama Board of Nursing before applying for licensure. Last updated: 1/1/2020
Become a Nurse in Alabama – Licensure & Requirements
| 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 Salaries
| AL Nurse Career | State-Wide Annual Mean Wage | Birmingham-Hoover Annual Mean Wage | Montgomery Annual Mean Wage | Mobile Annual Mean Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Licensed Practical Nurse | $38,230 | $41,520 | $40,730 | $38,540 |
Registered Nurse | $59,470 | $61,920 | $65,790 | $57,640 |
Nurse Practitioner | $95,970 | $98,620 | $105,140 | $84,540 |
Nurse Anesthetist | $161,780 | $161,560 | Not Available | $159,510 |
Careers as a nurse salaries above were retrieved from the Bureau of Labor Statistics – State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates Alabama in January 2020.
There are many paths to becoming 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 email us at info@nursinglicensemap.com!
Sponsored online nursing programs
Simmons University
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Earn an MSN online from Simmons University. Choose from two program options — FNP or PMHNP — and prepare to raise the standard of patient care.
- Choose from two program options — FNP or PMHNP
- Complete in as few as 24 months
- Full-time and part-time tracks available
Georgetown University
Master of Science in Nursing
Nursing@Georgetown delivers Georgetown University’s MS in Nursing program online, preparing RNs with a BSN to pursue certification in an APRN specialty. Students can earn their degree in as few as 23 months.
- Earn your MS in Nursing in as few as 23 months
- Choose from one of four APRN specialty areas: AG-ACNP, FNP, NM/WHNP, or WHNP
- Gain hands-on clinical experience in evidence-based practice
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Compact State Status
As of January 1, 2020, Alabama is a Nursing Licensure Compact state.
Prescriptive Authority in Alabama
The Alabama Board of Nursing Administrative Code outlines that certified registered nurse practitioners (CRNP) who have completed coursework in pharmacology or evidence of the integration of pharmacology theory and clinical application within the nurse practitioner curriculum. CRNPs must work in collaboration with a physician to be granted prescriptive authority.
CRNPs and CNMs may apply for the Limited Purpose Schedule Permit (LPSP) for schedule II prescriptions or the Qualified Alabama Controlled Substances Certificate (QACSC) for privileges on schedules III, IV, and V.
According to the Alabama Board of Pharmacy, CRNPs and Certified Nurse Midwives (CNM) may prescribe non-controlled RX drugs, Controlled Substances (CS) at II with limited authority, and CS III – V. All prescriptions must show the name, address, and telephone number of the collaborating physician.
Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) in Alabama
Education: Master’s degree or higher with a curriculum focused on preparing nurse midwives.
Examination: CNM Exam tell from the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB)
Certification Required: Certified Nurse-Midwife from the AMCB
Fees:
- $175 Application
- $200 Physician’s Collaborative Practice Fee, and
- $500 Certification Examination Fee
- $50 Annual Fee for AMCB Certificate Maintenance Program
Additional Information: An active registered nurse license is required for application.
Renewal: CNMs renew licenses every two years on the last day of the nurse’s birth month. CNMs renew after the successful completion of the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB) certificate maintenance program.
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 state RN renewal. CNMs with prescriptive rights must complete five continuing education units (CEUs) in pharmacology specific to their practice area during each licensing period.
Learn more on how to become a certified nurse midwife.
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) in Alabama
Education: Master’s degree or higher from a nurse anesthetist program accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs
Examination: Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) Exam from the National Board on Certification and Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA)
Certification Required: Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist from the NBCRNA
Fees:
- $175 for initial approval
- $725 certification examination fee
Additional Information: An active registered nurse license is required for application.
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 (RN) renewal fees.
Learn more on how to become a certified registered nurse anesthetist.
Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner (CRNP) in Alabama
Education: Master’s degree or higher from an approved nurse practitioner program
Examination: Varies for Different Certifications
Certification Required: Certification as a nurse practitioner in the specialty consistent with nurse practitioner education from a national certifying body recognized by the Alabama Board of Nursing.
Fees:
- $175 for initial approval
- $100 Physician’s Collaborative Practice Fee, and
- Certification Examination Fee Varies Dependent on Specialty
Additional Information: An active registered nurse license is required for application.
Renewal: Renewal requirements for nurse practitioners are dependent on the national certifying body and specialty entered.
Learn more on how to become a nurse practitioner.
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) in Alabama
Education: Master’s degree or higher from an approved clinical nurse specialist program.
Examination: Varies for Different Certifications
Certification Required: Certification as a clinical nurse specialist from a national certifying body recognized by the Alabama Board of Nursing: American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN).
Fees:
- $175 for initial approval
- Certification Examination Fee Varies Dependent on Specialty
Additional Information: An active registered nurse license is required for application.
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.
Learn more on how to become a clinical nurse specialist.
Information for the advanced practice nursing careers: certified nurse midwife, certified registered nurse anesthetist, certified registered nurse practitioner, and clinical nurse specialist was retrieved from the Alabama Board of Nursing – Advanced Practice Nursing, as of January 2020.
Registered Nurse (RN) in Alabama
Education: Has successfully completed an educational program in a school of nursing approved by the board
Examination: NCLEX-RN
Fees:
- $100 Application Fee
- $200 Examination Fee
- $50 Temporary Permit
- $100 Renewal Fee
Renewal: Every even year beginning on September 1st
Learn more on how to become a registered nurse.
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in Alabama
Education: Educational program of at least one year’s duration in a school of practical nursing, approved by the board
Examination: NCLEX-PN
Fees:
- $100 Application Fee
- $200 Examination Fee
- $50 Temporary Permit
- $100 Renewal Fee
Renewal: Every odd year beginning on September 1st
Learn more on how to become a licensed practical nurse.
Sponsored online nursing programs
Simmons University
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Earn an MSN online from Simmons University. Choose from two program options — FNP or PMHNP — and prepare to raise the standard of patient care.
- Choose from two program options — FNP or PMHNP
- Complete in as few as 24 months
- Full-time and part-time tracks available
Georgetown University
Master of Science in Nursing
Nursing@Georgetown delivers Georgetown University’s MS in Nursing program online, preparing RNs with a BSN to pursue certification in an APRN specialty. Students can earn their degree in as few as 23 months.
- Earn your MS in Nursing in as few as 23 months
- Choose from one of four APRN specialty areas: AG-ACNP, FNP, NM/WHNP, or WHNP
- Gain hands-on clinical experience in evidence-based practice
SPONSORED