Alabama Nurse Practitioner Licensure Steps - 2024

Nurse Practitioner Licensure Requirements in Alabama

Follow below to learn how to become a nurse practitioner (NP) in Alabama.

Initial RN License

Already have your RN License?  Skip to the next section

The ABN issues licenses to eligible applicants who have completed an accredited nursing program at an institution approved by the state where the program was taken. There are two major routes for licensing by the ABN which include licensing by examination and licensing by endorsement.

While the former is the path of choice for recent graduates of nursing programs, the latter applies to those seeking to practice in Alabama after having been licensed in another state. This applies where the single-state license is being obtained. If you are interested in obtaining a multi-state license, go here.

RN License by Examination

This path of licensing requires the following;

• A Bachelor of Nursing Science (especially for intending nurse practitioners)
• A Copy of Your Transcript sent by mail from the institution that awarded your degree
• A notification of success in the NCLEX
• A correctly filled application for an RN license to practice in Alabama

For licensing by examination, you are expected to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) which you will register for at Pearson Vue. The minimum educational requirement for the NCLEX examination for a prospective nurse practitioner is a bachelor’s in nursing science.

This provides the foundational knowledge for practice as a registered nurse which provides useful clinical experience. The program that you complete to obtain this degree must be in accordance with what is obtainable in an accredited bachelor of nursing program in Alabama. You will be required to obtain a master’s or higher degree in a nursing program before you can be licensed as a CRNP.

The registration fee for candidates seeking licensure in the US is $200. For the licensing application, you must request that a copy of your transcript be sent by mail in a sealed envelope, to ABN. You will also be required to provide your Social Security Number and proof of citizenship/legal presence as part of the application process.

RN License by Endorsement

This path of licensing requires the following;

• A valid single-state license to practice in another state
• Information about your previous licenses
• A correctly filled application
• Fingerprinting for background checks

For licensing by endorsement, you must provide information about your previous licenses and proof of 24 contact hours of continuing education course work over the last 24 months. You will also be required to have your fingerprints captured for background checks. This should be done after your application has been sent successfully.

The application fee for either license is $100 with a transaction fee of $3.50. An additional $50 is required for a temporary permit if you are eligible for it. This permit is only valid for 180 days.

For other information regarding RN licensing such as FAQs, renewal procedures, and, application for special permits, go here. In addition, you can track the status of your application by emailing licensing@abn.alabama.gov.

Advanced Education Requirements

All applicants for an APRN license must have obtained a master’s or higher degree in a nursing program to prepare nurse practitioners, from an accredited institution.

Pay attention to the training options they have (online or on-campus), the degrees offered, accreditation, and their graduate certification rate.

There are over 400 academic institutions that offer NP preparation programs in the US. Once you find your desired population focus or specialty, you can begin your search using the American Association of Nurse Practitioners’ program search tool.

National Certification

You are also expected to have a valid RN license and to have been certified as a nurse practitioner in your specialty by a national certifying agency recognized by the nursing board of Alabama. These certifying agencies confer certification on applicants following their success in prescribed examinations based on their intended specialty as a nurse practitioner.

The national certifying agencies involved include the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners-Certification Program (AANP-CP), American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN), American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB), American Nurses Credentialing Centre (ANCC), National Certification Corporation (NCC), and the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB). You can find the certifications by specialty that each of these agencies offers in this document.

Once you have completed your program, you should visit the official website of the relevant national certifying agency concerning your chosen specialty. For example, if you plan to practice as an adult-gerontology CRNP in primary care, you should be looking at the AANP-CP. Taking this as an example, applicants are usually required to create an online profile with the name they would want to reflect on their “eligibility to test” notification which must be the same as what reflects on all forms of identification tendered, as well as the name used for registration.

For more information about the application process for this certification and others offered by the AANP-CP, consult the candidate handbook here. The national certification is necessary for you to obtain a license to practice as an NP in Alabama.

Getting Licensed to Practice as a Nurse Practitioner within Alabama

To qualify for an initial license as a nurse practitioner in Alabama, you must hold an active RN license, have completed a master’s or higher degree level preparatory program for nurse practitioners, and have been certified by the relevant national certifying agency for your specialty.

The application is usually completed online and the forms must be completed by the applicants themselves. You must pay attention to every detail, providing only correct information as you will be subject to disciplinary action should it be detected that you provided false information, in the future. You are required to pay an application fee of $175. You can apply online here.

Provided that you have fulfilled all the requirements including providing regulatory information that allows the board to evaluate your moral standing, you can expect to be licensed as a nurse practitioner in Alabama. Due to the reduced practice nature adopted in Alabama, you will be required to work in collaboration with a physician. For more information about the license application process, go here.