Getting a Alaska nursing license by endorsement

Reviewed by Keegan, RN · ER & NICU travel nurse

Endorsement timeline, fees & requirements · Verified 2026-06-18

Not published as a single figure. The board states a temporary permit may issue once the first four items are received and processed, but posts no numeric processing time.

Alaska endorsement at a glance

What the board publishes

Board-sourced

How it works: Alaska grants licensure by endorsement to an RN licensed in another US state or Canadian province who holds a current (not inactive) license at the time Alaska issues the permanent license.
Processing time: Not published as a single figure. The board states a temporary permit may issue once the first four items are received and processed, but posts no numeric processing time.
Work while waiting: Yes. A temporary permit may issue once the application with fees, the notarized signature page, fingerprints, and license verification are received and processed, including the professional-fitness review. It is valid for six months and non-renewable.
Requirements: License verification from your initial-licensure state and a current-license state, directly or via Nursys; an original FD-258 fingerprint card for a DPS and FBI background check; a verification of employment showing at least 320 hours in the prior 5 years or a refresher; a notarized signature page; and a Social Security number on file. No state jurisprudence exam.
Fees: $375 total ($100 application, $200 license, $75 fingerprint processing).
Compact rules: Alaska is not a compact state, so a multistate license from elsewhere does not authorize Alaska practice. You must obtain an Alaska license by endorsement.
Military spouse: An active-duty member or military spouse with orders to Alaska may obtain a separate temporary military courtesy license while applying for the permanent license; the two are applied for separately.

The board portal blocks automated readers; figures here are quoted from the official RN-by-endorsement instruction PDF (Rev. 06/21/2024). Licenses run two years, expiring Nov. 30 of even years.

Source: Alaska Board of Nursing, RN license by endorsement instructions, last checked 2026-06-18. Fees and timelines change; confirm with the board before you rely on a date.

Steps to endorse into Alaska

1Confirm you need a Alaska license: Alaska is not a compact state, so an out-of-state license will not cover you.
2Verify every nursing license you have held through Nursys (or the board's paper verification form for non-Nursys states).
3Complete the required criminal background check and fingerprinting.
4Submit the Alaska Board of Nursing endorsement application and fee, plus any transcripts, state coursework, or jurisprudence exam the board requires.
5Apply for a temporary or interim permit if the state offers one and you need to work before the permanent license issues.

Start at the source: Alaska Board of Nursing or the online licensing portal. Not sure if you even need to endorse? The compact eligibility quiz sorts compact privilege from a required license in two minutes.

Alaska endorsement FAQ

How long does it take to get a Alaska nursing license by endorsement?: Not published as a single figure. The board states a temporary permit may issue once the first four items are received and processed, but posts no numeric processing time.
Can I work in Alaska while my endorsement application is processing?: Yes. A temporary permit may issue once the application with fees, the notarized signature page, fingerprints, and license verification are received and processed, including the professional-fitness review. It is valid for six months and non-renewable.
Do I need a Alaska license if I already hold a compact multistate license?: Alaska is not a compact state, so a multistate license from elsewhere does not authorize Alaska practice. You must obtain an Alaska license by endorsement.
How much does Alaska endorsement cost?: $375 total ($100 application, $200 license, $75 fingerprint processing).

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Alaska endorsement at a glance

What the board publishes

Board-sourced

How it works: Alaska grants licensure by endorsement to an RN licensed in another US state or Canadian province who holds a current (not inactive) license at the time Alaska issues the permanent license.
Processing time: Not published as a single figure. The board states a temporary permit may issue once the first four items are received and processed, but posts no numeric processing time.
Work while waiting: Yes. A temporary permit may issue once the application with fees, the notarized signature page, fingerprints, and license verification are received and processed, including the professional-fitness review. It is valid for six months and non-renewable.
Requirements: License verification from your initial-licensure state and a current-license state, directly or via Nursys; an original FD-258 fingerprint card for a DPS and FBI background check; a verification of employment showing at least 320 hours in the prior 5 years or a refresher; a notarized signature page; and a Social Security number on file. No state jurisprudence exam.
Fees: $375 total ($100 application, $200 license, $75 fingerprint processing).
Compact rules: Alaska is not a compact state, so a multistate license from elsewhere does not authorize Alaska practice. You must obtain an Alaska license by endorsement.
Military spouse: An active-duty member or military spouse with orders to Alaska may obtain a separate temporary military courtesy license while applying for the permanent license; the two are applied for separately.

The board portal blocks automated readers; figures here are quoted from the official RN-by-endorsement instruction PDF (Rev. 06/21/2024). Licenses run two years, expiring Nov. 30 of even years.

Source: Alaska Board of Nursing, RN license by endorsement instructions, last checked 2026-06-18. Fees and timelines change; confirm with the board before you rely on a date.

Steps to endorse into Alaska

1Confirm you need a Alaska license: Alaska is not a compact state, so an out-of-state license will not cover you.

2Verify every nursing license you have held through Nursys (or the board's paper verification form for non-Nursys states).

3Complete the required criminal background check and fingerprinting.

4Submit the Alaska Board of Nursing endorsement application and fee, plus any transcripts, state coursework, or jurisprudence exam the board requires.

5Apply for a temporary or interim permit if the state offers one and you need to work before the permanent license issues.

Alaska endorsement FAQ

How long does it take to get a Alaska nursing license by endorsement?

Not published as a single figure. The board states a temporary permit may issue once the first four items are received and processed, but posts no numeric processing time.

Can I work in Alaska while my endorsement application is processing?

Yes. A temporary permit may issue once the application with fees, the notarized signature page, fingerprints, and license verification are received and processed, including the professional-fitness review. It is valid for six months and non-renewable.

Do I need a Alaska license if I already hold a compact multistate license?

Alaska is not a compact state, so a multistate license from elsewhere does not authorize Alaska practice. You must obtain an Alaska license by endorsement.

How much does Alaska endorsement cost?

$375 total ($100 application, $200 license, $75 fingerprint processing).