Career Resources / Nursing Licensure / Alaska
Alaskans give their state high marks for satisfaction with their standard of living, and it’s no wonder: they’re surrounded by natural beauty and wildlife, have plenty of job opportunities and all the same comforts as residents of the lower 48, and even get paid to live there!
In this article, we will cover:
- How to get your Alaska nursing license by exam
- How to get your license by endorsement
- How to renew your Alaska nursing license
- Licensing fees
- Continuing education requirements
- How to contact the Alaska Board of Nursing
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How to get your Alaska nursing license by examination
Step 1: Education
If you are a resident of Alaska or are considering pursuing your nursing degree in the state, Alaska’s Board of Nursing provides a helpful list of local accredited nursing programs. Whether you choose to attend an in-state school or complete your nursing education elsewhere, a two-year associate’s degree or baccalaureate program is the key to moving forward with a rewarding career as a registered nurse.
- Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing for those who have achieved a bachelor’s degree and who take the additional classes necessary to become a registered nurse.
Step 2: Apply
Alaska’s Board of Nursing accepts both online and paper applications for licensure by examination. At any time during the application process you can register with Pearson VUE to take the NCLEX exam and pay the registration fee of $200. You can do this online at or by phone at 1-866-496-2539.
If applying using a paper application, the Board must receive the following before your application will be considered:
- Completed, notarized application and fees
- Authorization for Release of Records
- Fingerprint and background reports
- A completed Nursing Program Verification form sent from your school of nursing
- Official transcript
Alaska’s fees can be paid via credit card information submitted with the form or via a check made out to the State of Alaska in the amount of $375.00 ($100 application fee, $200 license fee, and $75 fingerprint processing fee).
Online applications have the same requirements that can be completed through the state’s online portal after establishing a myAlaska Account. Information can be provided and fees submitted online, but the Notarized Signature Page and Nursing Program Verification Form need to be printed out, completed, and mailed separately to:
Alaska Board of Nursing
550 W. 7th Ave.
Ste. 1500
Anchorage, AK 99501
Step 3: Submit Transcripts
A completed Nursing Program Verification and an official transcript must be sent directly from the school that you attended to the Board of Nursing. The graduation date and type of degree conferred must be included on the transcript. Electronic transcripts can be sent to [email protected], or paper transcripts can be sent to:
Alaska Board of Nursing
550 W. 7th Ave.
Ste. 1500
Anchorage, AK 99501
Step 4: Criminal Background Check (CBC)
Your registered nurse license application must be accompanied by a complete fingerprint card provided by the State of Alaska or the standard FBI Form FD-258. Take the card, the instructions, and photo identification to a local law enforcement agency or other authorized agency to have the fingerprinting done. Additional instructions can be found here. The completed card should be sent directly to:
Alaska Board of Nursing
550 W. 7th Ave.
Ste. 1500
Anchorage, AK 99501
Step 5: Take the NCLEX
Approximately 48 hours after your application for licensure by exam is complete and you have been approved, the Alaska Board of Nursing will notify Pearson VUE that you are eligible to take the test and they will email you Authorization to Test. You will be able to schedule yourself to sit for the exam.
Taking and passing the NCLEX exam is the final step on your road to becoming a registered nurse. The test confirms that you have learned all of the information necessary to provide care to patients, including the following topics addressed during your nursing education:
- Safe and Effective Care Environment
- Management of Care
- Safety and Infection Control
- Health Promotion and Maintenance
- Psychosocial Integrity
- Physiological Integrity
- Basic Care and Comfort
- Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
- Physiological Adaptation
After you’ve passed the NCLEX, your permanent license will be issued. If you fail to pass the NCLEX, you can register with Pearson VUE and pay the $200 fee to retake the exam 45 days after your last attempt. You can take the NCLEX as many as eight times per year but must pass it within three years of having graduated nursing school.
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Licensing by endorsement (already have RN licensure)
If you are a registered nurse who is currently licensed in another state, you can apply for Alaska licensure by endorsement either online or using a paper application.
If applying using a paper application, the Board must receive the following before your application will be considered:
- Your completed, notarized application and fees
- Authorization for Release of Records
- Fingerprint and background reports
- Verification of Licensure
- Verification of Employment
Alaska’s fees can be paid via credit card information submitted with the form or via a check made out to the State of Alaska in the amount of $375.00 ($100 application fee, $200 license fee, and $75 fingerprint processing fee).
Online applications have the same requirements, and can be completed through the state’s online portal after establishing a myAlaska Account. Information can be provided and fees submitted online, but the Notarized Signature Page, fingerprints, and verification of licensure must be submitted separately, with any hard copies sent to:
Alaska Board of Nursing
550 W. 7th Ave.
Ste. 1500
Anchorage, AK 99501
Verification of Licensure: If your original nursing license was held in a state that participates with the NURSYS system, verification can be requested through that process. Nurses holding licenses in non-participating states must obtain a certified true copy of their current license.
To obtain a “certified true copy,” a notary public must compare the original to the photocopy. The notary must write “I certify this to be a true copy of the original document” on the photocopy and attest to the fact by signing and notarizing the document. If the notary will not certify the copy, you may certify that it is a true copy of the original and have your signature notarized. Be sure that the notary signs and seals the document with an official seal. This should be sent to:
Alaska Board of Nursing
550 W. 7th Ave.
Ste. 1500
Anchorage, AK 99501
Criminal Background Check: Your application for licensure by endorsement must be accompanied by a complete fingerprint card provided by the State of Alaska or the standard FBI Form FD-258. Take the card, the instructions, and photo identification to a local law enforcement agency or other authorized agency to have the fingerprinting done. Additional instructions can be found here. The completed card should be sent directly to:
Alaska Board of Nursing
550 W. 7th Ave.
Ste. 1500
Anchorage, AK 99501
Applicants who have submitted a completed application and fees, the Authorization for Release of Records, Fingerprints, and Verification of Licensure will be issued a non-renewable temporary permit that is valid for six months.
How to renew your Alaska nursing license
Step 1: When to submit your renewal application
Alaska’s registered nursing licenses are issued for a two-year period. They expire on November 30 of even-numbered years except for licenses issued within 90 days of the expiration date: those licenses are issued to the next biennial expiration date. The two-year license renewal fee is $200, though a prorated rate of $100 is available for those whose license was issued after December 1st of the preceding odd year.
A renewal notice will be mailed at least 60 days before license expiration to the last known address of record.
Step 2: Fulfill continuing competency requirements
Alaska offers several options for meeting the state’s continuing competency requirements. Nurses can select two of the following three activities:
- 320 hours of compensated nursing employment and 30 contact hours of continuing education in nursing and 30 hours of professional nursing activities hours performed between December 1, 2020, and November 30, 2022
- Completion of a Board-approved nursing refresher course
- Attaining a degree or certificate in nursing or completing at least six academic credits required for the degree or certificate
Nurses who passed the NCLEX in the previous two-year period or whose registered nursing license was issued on or after December 1 of the previous odd-numbered year are exempt from the continuing competency requirements.
Incredible Health offers Alaska nurses free continuing education credits. They are easy to access and, once completed, provide immediate certificates for your records.
Step 3: Submit your renewal application
Alaska nurses can renew their applications using a paper application that must be returned by the expiration date. There is no grace period.
License renewal applications can be sent to:
Alaska Board of Nursing
550 W. 7th Ave.
Ste. 1500
Anchorage, AK 99501
Alaska nursing licensing fees
Below are the fees for becoming a nurse in Alaska whether you are a first-time nurse or are moving to Alaska from another state. For more information visit the Alaska licensing page.
Licensing fees by examination (first-time nurses):
- NCLEX fee: $200
- Application fee: $100
- License fee: $200
- Fingerprint processing fee: $75
Licensing by endorsement (already have RN licensure):
- Application fee: $100
- License fee: $200
- Fingerprint processing fee: $75
- Temporary permit: $0
- License verification: $30
- APRN fees: $500 (total)
*Fees are subject to change.
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Continuing education requirements
RN/LPN/APRN: 2 of the following are required every 2 years:
- 30 contact hours;
- 320 hours documents nursing employment;
- 30 hours in professional activities or volunteer work
APRNs with prescriptive authority are required 12 contact hours in advanced pharmacology and 12 contact hours in the clinical management of patients, which may be counted as part of the 30 contact hours.
In addition, to renew a valid federal DEA registration number 2 hours in pain management and opioid use and addiction, are required.
Incredible Health offers ANCC-accredited continuing education courses for nurses in all 50 states, 100% free and online. The Alaska Board of Nursing accepts courses that are ANCC accredited.
How to contact the Alaska Board of Nursing
Alaska Board of Nursing
Office Assistant
[email protected]
Fax: (907) 269-8156
Robert B. Atwood Building
550 W. 7th Avenue, Suite 1500
Anchorage, AK 99501-3567
