Alaska offers one of the most flexible continuing competency systems in the country — nurses must meet two of three options every two years, including CE hours, nursing employment, or professional volunteer work. Here's your complete guide to renewing your Alaska nursing license.
Alaska RN License Renewal Requirements Overview
The Alaska Board of Nursing requires all nurses to demonstrate continuing competency by completing two of three options every 2-year renewal cycle. This gives nurses flexibility to combine CE hours with employment or professional activities to meet the requirement.
Alaska is not a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state, meaning you must hold an Alaska-specific license to practice in the state, even if you hold a multistate license from another state.
What Is Required for Renewal?
For RNs (Two of Three Options Required):
- Option 1: 30 contact hours of continuing education from an ANCC-accredited provider or approved by another state Board of Nursing
- Option 2: 320 hours of nursing employment as an RN during the renewal period
- Option 3: 30 hours of professional activities — uncompensated volunteer work in a nursing-related capacity
- Renewal fee: $200 for RN
For LPNs:
- Same two-of-three competency options as RNs
- Renewal fee: $200 for LPN
For APRNs:
- Same two-of-three competency options, plus any additional APRN-specific certification requirements
- Renewal fee: $100 for APRN
Important Renewal Dates
Alaska uses different renewal dates for different license types:
- RN and APRN deadline: November 30 of even-numbered years
- LPN deadline: September 30 of even-numbered years
- Grace period: There is no grace period. If your license is not renewed by the deadline, a late fee is assessed in addition to the renewal fee (confirm the current rate on the Board portal — published rates can vary across sources). Practicing on an expired license is prohibited.
Step-by-Step: How to Renew Your Alaska Nursing License
- Log in to the Alaska Professional Licensing portal. Access your license through the Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing website.
- Select your license type and click Renew. Choose your RN, LPN, or APRN license.
- Attest to completing two of three competency options. Select which two options you are using (CE hours, employment, or professional activities).
- Provide documentation if requested. Keep records of CE certificates, employment verification, or professional activity logs readily available.
- Pay the renewal fee. $200 for RN/LPN or $100 for APRN by credit card.
- Submit before your applicable deadline. November 30 for RN/APRN, September 30 for LPN. Late applications incur a late fee.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Only completing one of three options. Alaska requires two of the three continuing competency options, not just one. Make sure you have documentation for two separate categories.
- Using non-approved CE providers. CE hours must be from an ANCC-accredited provider or approved by another state Board of Nursing. Verify your provider's accreditation before taking courses.
- Missing your applicable deadline. Alaska has no grace period. RN/APRN expire November 30 of even-numbered years; LPN expires September 30. The late fee adds to the already $200 renewal cost.
- Not tracking employment hours. If you're using the 320-hour employment option, make sure you have documentation from your employer. Keep pay stubs or a letter verifying your hours.
Tips for a Smooth Renewal
- Choose the easiest two-option combination for you. If you work full-time as a nurse, the 320-hour employment option plus 30 CE hours is often the simplest path. If you volunteer regularly, that can replace one of the other options.
- Start your CE early in the cycle. With a 2-year window, spreading 30 CE hours over 24 months is manageable — but don't wait until the last few months.
- Keep organized records. Alaska may audit your continuing competency documentation. Maintain copies of CE certificates, employment letters, and volunteer logs for at least 4 years.
- Set up renewal reminders. RenewRN can track your CE hours and send automatic reminders as your applicable deadline approaches, so you never miss a renewal.
Choosing Two of Alaska's Three Competency Options
Per the Board, Alaska requires nurses to meet a flexible continuing competency standard by completing two of three options every two years:
- 30 contact hours of CE from an ANCC-accredited provider or approved by another state Board of Nursing
- 320 hours of nursing employment during the renewal period
- 30 hours of professional activities — uncompensated volunteer work in a nursing-related capacity
Common combinations:
- Most full-time nurses: 320 employment hours + 30 CE hours (the simplest path for actively-practicing nurses)
- Part-time nurses with employer flexibility: 320 employment hours + 30 hours volunteer work
- Nurses in non-traditional roles: 30 CE hours + 30 hours volunteer work
Whatever combination you pick, document both pathways with clear evidence — auditors verify both, not just one.
Why Alaska's Non-Compact Status Matters for Travel Nurses
Per the Board, Alaska is not a Nurse Licensure Compact member state. If you hold a multistate license from another NLC state (Texas, Florida, Pennsylvania, etc.), you cannot practice in Alaska on that license alone — you need an Alaska-specific license, including for short-term, telehealth, or travel-nursing assignments.
Practical implications:
- Travel nurses considering Alaska assignments need to apply for licensure-by-endorsement before starting work
- Endorsement applications can take several weeks to process, longer during peak periods
- Telehealth providers serving Alaska patients need an Alaska license, not just a multistate license
The Two-Date License Calendar
Per the Board, Alaska uses different renewal dates for different license types:
- RN and APRN licenses: November 30 of even-numbered years (2024, 2026, 2028…)
- LPN licenses: September 30 of even-numbered years
For nurses holding both an RN and LPN credential, this means two separate renewals in the same even-numbered year, two months apart. Each license has its own $200 fee.
How Alaska Audits Work
Per the Board, Alaska may conduct random audits to verify continuing competency. Retain documentation for at least 4 years. Documentation auditors verify both of your chosen competency pathways:
- CE pathway: course certificates for all 30 hours, with provider name, course title, hours, and completion date — providers must be ANCC-accredited or approved by another state Board of Nursing
- Employment pathway: employment records or attestation covering 320 hours of nursing practice during the renewal period
- Professional activities pathway: documentation of 30 hours of uncompensated nursing-related volunteer or professional activities
Failed audits can result in license discipline. Save documentation digitally with clear filenames covering the rolling 4-year retention window.
Late Renewal and Reinstatement in Alaska
Per the Board, Alaska has no formal grace period:
- A late fee applies for late renewal (the structured field shows $50; the gracePeriod text shows $100 — confirm the current rate on the Board portal before relying on a specific number)
- $150 reinstatement fee for RN/LPN per the Board (vs. $200 standard renewal — note the unusual structure where reinstatement is lower than renewal in this state)
- You cannot work as a nurse while your license is expired — even briefly
APRN Renewal in Alaska
Per the Board, APRNs in Alaska follow the same two-of-three competency requirement and November 30 even-year cycle as RNs. However, APRNs pay only $100 — half the $200 RN/LPN renewal fee.
APRNs with DEA registration also need to complete the federal 8-hour MATE Act training on opioid and substance use disorder treatment — a federal requirement at DEA registration or renewal, separate from Alaska state CE.
Alaska RN Renewal FAQ
Can I count 60 CE hours as both options? No. Per the Board, you need two different options. 30 CE hours can only count once. You must combine CE with either employment or professional activities.
What counts as “professional activities”? Per the Board, uncompensated nursing-related volunteer work — which can include serving on professional committees, volunteer nursing care, professional association activities, and similar work. Documentation should clearly describe the nursing relevance.
Does my multistate license from another state work in Alaska? No. Alaska is not an NLC member state. You need an Alaska-specific license to practice here.
Can I take all 30 CE hours online? Yes. Alaska doesn't require any in-person CE — but the provider must be ANCC-accredited or state-board approved.
I'm a first-time renewer. Am I exempt? Per the Board, new licensees are exempt from CE requirements for the first renewal period.
Track Your Alaska License with RenewRN
With Alaska's unique two-of-three competency system and no grace period, staying organized is essential. RenewRN sends reminders at 90, 60, 30, 7, and 1 day before your license expires, tracks your CE completion, and helps you stay on top of all your credentials.