Become a Nurse in Alaska – Licensure & Requirements

The Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist and Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner rows above reflect Alaska’s graduate-education requirement and grandfathered certificate-holder exceptions under 12 AAC 44.400.

Alaska Nursing Salary Average

^{All salaries above — state-wide, Fairbanks, and Anchorage — were retrieved from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ May 2025 State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates.}

There are many paths to becoming a nurse in Alaska. 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 Alaska, you’ll find information on acquiring and maintaining several types of Alaska nursing license. 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 Alaska, please email us at info@nursinglicensemap.com!

Compact State Status

As of September 2026, Alaska is not a Nursing Licensure Compact state.

Identical bills to enact NLC participation (House Bill 131 and Senate Bill 124) were introduced in the 2025–2026 Alaska legislative session; neither has passed, per the Nurse Licensure Compact Commission and the Alaska Board of Nursing's current compact status page, which should be reconfirmed before relying on it for a multistate practice decision.

Prescriptive Authority in Alaska

Advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) may apply for prescriptive authority under for prescription drugs and additional authority to prescribe and dispense schedule II-V controlled substances, according to The Alaska Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development – Nursing Regulations.

APRNs must provide evidence of 15 contact hours of education in advanced pharmacology and clinical management of drug therapy within the last two years prior to application for authority. APRNs applying with DEA registration must also submit proof of 2 contact hours of education in pain management and opioid use and addiction, completed within the two years preceding the application, per the Alaska Board of Nursing’s current APRN application, #08-4028. APRNs may need to meet a number of other requirements. Refer to the state’s nursing regulations before application.

Alaska Nursing Fees & Renewal at a Glance

Fee and renewal figures above reflect Alaska’s current Centralized Licensing Regulations, 12 AAC 02.280, and the Alaska Board of Nursing’s RN by Endorsement application, current as of September 2026.

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) in Alaska

Education:

• Master’s degree or higher from an approved graduate nurse education program; Alaska also recognizes certificate-prepared providers under grandfathering cutoffs (women’s health/neonatal NP and nurse-midwife programs completed before Jan. 1, 2006; other NP population-focus programs completed before Jan. 1, 2003; CRNA programs completed before Jan. 1, 2001), per 12 AAC 44.400.
• 60 hours of continuing education within the last two years prior to application; or for recent graduates, your transcript may be used towards the 60 hours, per the Alaska Board of Nursing’s current APRN application, #08-4028.

Examination: Varies for Different Certifications

Fees:

• $100 Non-Refundable Application Fee
• $100 APRN Licensure Fee
• $100 Prescriptive Authority Fee [if applying]
• $100 Controlled Substances Application Fee [if applying]
• $0 Temporary Permit Fee

Fees above reflect 12 AAC 02.280. Per the Board’s Applications and Forms library, applicants can expect an update on the status of their initial application within 4–6 weeks, with an additional 4–6 weeks to review if further documentation is requested.

Certification Required: Certification as an APRN in the specialty consistent with nursing education from a national certifying body recognized by the Alaska Board of Nursing, per 12 AAC 44.400(a)(3) and 12 AAC 44.420.

Renewal: APRN licenses lapse on November 30 of even-numbered years with the exception of new licenses issued within 90 days of this date, per the Board's Renewal Information page. APRN authorization is not renewed until RN license has been renewed. A national certification must be held and maintained in order to renew APRN license authorization. This framework is set by AS 08.68.276 and 12 AAC 44.470.

Additional Information: An active registered nurse license is required for application, per AS 08.68.170(c)(1).

Learn more on how to become an advanced practice registered nurse.

Registered Nurse (RN) in Alaska

Education: An RN education program accredited by a national nursing accrediting body and approved by the Alaska Board of Nursing, per AS 08.68.170(a)(1).

Examination: NCLEX-RN

Fees:

• $200 Non-Refundable Application Fee
• $100 Licensing
• $0 Temporary Permit Fee [if requested]
• $75 Fingerprint Processing Fee

Fees above reflect 12 AAC 02.280. Per the Board’s Applications and Forms library, applicants can expect an update on the status of their initial application within 4–6 weeks, with an additional 4–6 weeks to review if further documentation is requested.

Licensure by Endorsement: Applicants already an RN in another state may be able to apply for licensure in Alaska by endorsement; submitting their verification of license directly or through the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. Applicants must also be able to confirm at least 320 hours of employment in nursing capacity within the last five years prior to application, per 12 AAC 44.305(a)(1)(E).

Renewal: RN licenses lapse on November 30 of even-numbered years with the exception of new licenses issued within 90 days of this date. Renewal also requires meeting two of three continuing-competency options: 30 contact hours of continuing education (12 AAC 44.610), 30 hours of uncompensated professional activity (12 AAC 44.620), or 320 hours of employment as a nurse (12 AAC 44.630); an alternative method may also qualify under 12 AAC 44.640. Per the Board's Renewal Information page, some recently licensed RNs are not required to show proof of continuing competency at their first renewal.

Learn more on how to become a registered nurse.

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in Alaska

Education: One of three Board-recognized pathways: a practical nurse program accredited by a national nursing accrediting body; a practical nurse program meeting Alaska Board of Nursing criteria; or a nationally accredited, Board-approved RN education program. Applicants who did not pass the RN licensing exam must also complete a Board-approved practical-nurse scope-of-practice course, per AS 08.68.170(b).

Examination: NCLEX-PN

Fees:

• $200 Non-Refundable Application Fee
• $100 Licensing
• $0 Temporary Permit Fee [if requested]
• $75 Fingerprint Processing Fee

Fees above reflect 12 AAC 02.280. Per the Board’s Applications and Forms library, applicants can expect an update on the status of their initial application within 4–6 weeks, with an additional 4–6 weeks to review if further documentation is requested.

Renewal: LPN licenses lapse on September 30 of even-numbered years with the exception of new licenses issued within 90 days of this date. Renewal also requires meeting two of three continuing-competency options: 30 contact hours of continuing education (12 AAC 44.610), 30 hours of uncompensated professional activity (12 AAC 44.620), or 320 hours of employment as a nurse (12 AAC 44.630); an alternative method may also qualify under 12 AAC 44.640. Per the Board's Renewal Information page, some recently licensed LPNs are not required to show proof of continuing competency at their first renewal.

Learn more on how to become a licensed practical nurse.

Information Disclosures:

^{Fee, examination, and renewal information above was last verified September 11, 2026 against the Alaska Board of Nursing’s own RN by Endorsement application, APRN application, prescriptive authority application, and Nursing Statutes and Regulations, and the full Applications and Forms library.}