Nursing Degrees & Licenses in Alaska

The requirements to become an RN in Alaska are:

• Graduate from a board-approved and nationally accredited school


• Complete a fingerprint background check


• Pass the NCLEX-PN exam


• Submit a notarized signature page


• Pay a $100 nonrefundable application fee, $200 license fee, and $75 fingerprint processing fee

Renewals for RN licenses in Alaska happen on even-numbered years unless it’s a nurses first license and it’s issued within 90 days of the November 30th deadline.

To renew, candidates must complete two of the following continuing competency requirements:

• 30 hours of continuing education accredited by ANCC, ANA or AMA


• 60 hours of uncompensated professional activities approved by state law


• 320 hours of gainful employment

The renewal fee is $215

Alaska Board of Nursing

To be licensed as a CNM in the state of Alaska, applicants must:

• Be licensed as an RN in Alaska
• Complete, sign, and notarize an application
• Pay the fees to the state of Alaska including the application fee of $100, CNM license fee of $100, and a Prescriptive Authority Fee for Legends Drugs of $100, or a Prescriptive Authority Fee for Controlled Substances and Legend Drugs of $200
• Submit official transcripts from the applicant’s program of study that indicates three distinct course offerings of three graduate credits or more in advanced pathophysiology, advanced pharmacotherapeutics, and advanced physical assessment.
• Complete and submit a copy of national certification from the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB).
• Submit a Professional Reference form by one of the three references listed on the application who can verify the applicant is qualified to be licensed as an APRN
• Provide proof of 60 hours of continuing education within the previous two years of the date of the application

To renew a CNM license in the state of Alaska, applicants must first renew their registered nurse licenses which require two of the following three methods of continued competency:

• 30 contact hours of continuing education that is certified by ANCC, ANA, AMA, a nurse practitioner or nurse anesthetist certifying body or approved by another Board of Nursing, or
• 60 hours of participation in uncompensated professional activities, or
• 320 hours of employment as an RN or LPN

Certified nurse midwives are required to complete at least 60 hours of continued education, including 15 contact hours of education in advanced pharmacology and clinical management of drug therapy for prescriptive authority.

Alaska Board of Nursing

To be licensed as a CNS in the state of Alaska, applicants must:

• Be licensed as an RN in Alaska
• Complete, sign, and notarize an application
• Pay the fees to the state of Alaska, including the application fee of $100, an APRN license fee of $100, and a Prescriptive Authority Fee for Legend Drugs of $100, or a Prescriptive Authority Fee for Controlled Substances and Legend Drugs of $200
• Submit official transcripts from the applicants’ program of study that indicates three distinct course offerings of three graduate credits or more in advanced pathophysiology, advanced pharmacotherapeutics, and advanced physical assessment.
• Complete and submit a copy of national certification from an accredited body, including the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN), American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), National Certification Corporation (NCC), Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB), or American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB).
• Submit a professional reference form by one of the three references listed on the application who can verify the applicant is qualified to be licensed as an APRN
• Provide proof of 60 hours of continuing education within the previous two years of the date of the application

To renew an APRN license in the state of Alaska, including a CNS license, applicants must first renew their registered nurse licenses which require two of the following three methods of continued competency:

• 30 contact hours of continuing education that is certified by ANCC, ANA, AMA, a nurse practitioner or nurse anesthetist certifying body or approved by another Board of Nursing, or
• 60 hours of participation in uncompensated professional activities, or
• 320 hours of employment as an RN or LPN

CNSs are required to complete at least 60 hours of continued education, including 15 contact hours of education in advanced pharmacology and clinical management of drug therapy for prescriptive authority.

CNS licenses expire on the same date, biennially, as an RN license. The fee to renew is $200.