How many CE hours do nurses need in Alabama?

Registered Nurses (RN) in Alabama need 24 continuing education hours every 2 years for license renewal.

What are the mandatory CE topics in Alabama?

Mandatory CE topics in Alabama include: General Continuing Education, Mandatory New Licensee Course.

What is the renewal cycle for nursing licenses in Alabama?

Nursing licenses in Alabama must be renewed every 2 years. The Alabama Board of Nursing oversees license renewals.

What license types does Alabama regulate?

Alabama regulates the following nursing license types: RN, APRN, LPN, CNA.

Alabama RN License Renewal Requirements

Alabama Board of Nursing · 2-year renewal cycle · Last verified 2026-02-04

Quick Facts

Renewal Cycle	Every 2 years
Total CE Hours (RN)	24 contact hours
Renewal Fee (RN)	$100
Compact State (NLC)	Yes — NLC member
License Types	RN, APRN, LPN, CNA

Alabama requires all RNs, LPNs, and APRNs to complete 24 hours of Board-approved continuing education per renewal cycle. The renewal period runs from September 1 through December 31 of the applicable year, with RN and APRN licenses renewing on even-numbered years and LPN licenses on odd-numbered years. Alabama is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) member state, allowing multistate license holders to practice across all compact states. The Board offers free CE courses through its website to help nurses meet their requirements.

This data is verified against the Alabama Board of Nursing — last checked 2026-02-04. If anything looks off, let me know.

Read the full Alabama RN License Renewal Guide

Step-by-step walkthrough, common mistakes, and tips for a smooth renewal

How to Renew Your Alabama Nursing License

1Log in to the Alabama Board of Nursing online portal at abn.alabama.gov
2Navigate to the Renewal section and select your license type
3Verify that you have completed 24 contact hours of approved CE within the last 24 months
4Review your CE Record in the My Profile section to confirm compliance
5Pay the renewal fee ($100 for RN/LPN single-state; $200 for multistate; $75 for APRN) plus the $3.50 transaction fee
6Submit the application before December 31 at 4:30 p.m.

Visit the Alabama Board of Nursing website for the official renewal portal.

CE Hours by License Type

hours / 2 years

Renewal fee: $100

APRN

hours / 2 years

Renewal fee: $75

LPN

hours / 2 years

Renewal fee: $100

CNA

hours / 2 years

Renewal fee: $0

CE Requirements

Category	Hours	Required	License Types	Description
General Continuing Education	24	Required	RNLPNAPRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNPCNA	24 contact hours of Board-approved continuing education completed within the last 24 months prior to renewal.
Mandatory New Licensee Course	4	Required	RNLPNAPRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNPCNA	Newly licensed nurses must complete 4 contact hours of Board-provided CE on Board functions, the Nurse Practice Act, regulations, professional conduct, and accountability (included in the 24-hour total).

Important Deadlines

Renewal Due: December 31 of even-numbered years (RN/APRN); December 31 of odd-numbered years (LPN)
Grace Period: No formal grace period. If the license expires on December 31, practicing on an expired license is prohibited. Reinstatement through the ABN portal is required with a reinstatement fee.
CE Completion Window: All CE must be completed during the 2-year period immediately preceding the renewal date
Record Retention: Keep CE certificates for at least 4 years in case of audit by the Alabama Board of Nursing

Important Notes

• Alabama requires 24 CE hours for all license types (RN, LPN, APRN) per renewal cycle
• RN and APRN licenses renew on even-numbered years; LPN licenses renew on odd-numbered years
• The renewal period opens September 1 and closes December 31 at 4:30 p.m.
• Newly licensed nurses must complete a 4-hour Mandatory course from the Board
• Alabama is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) member state
• Free Board-provided CE courses are available through the ABN website
• This information is for guidance only. Always verify requirements with the Alabama Board of Nursing.

CE Providers & Renewal

Approved CE Providers

ANCCAlabama Board of NursingCE Broker Approved

CBCE Broker reporting is required in Alabama

Renew Online

Late Fees & Reinstatement

Late Renewal Fees

RN: $100
LPN: $100

Reinstatement Fees

RN: $150
LPN: $150

First-Time Licensee Exemption

First-time licensees are exempt from CE for their initial renewal cycle

CE Audit Information

Alabama Board of Nursing may conduct random CE audits. Retain certificates for 4 years.

Board Resources

Alabama Board of Nursing

https://www.abn.alabama.gov/

Sources

Last verified 2026-02-04·View official source →

Always confirm requirements directly with the Alabama Board of Nursing before making decisions about your license renewal.

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How to Renew Your Alabama Nursing License

1Log in to the Alabama Board of Nursing online portal at abn.alabama.gov

2Navigate to the Renewal section and select your license type

3Verify that you have completed 24 contact hours of approved CE within the last 24 months

4Review your CE Record in the My Profile section to confirm compliance

5Pay the renewal fee ($100 for RN/LPN single-state; $200 for multistate; $75 for APRN) plus the $3.50 transaction fee

6Submit the application before December 31 at 4:30 p.m.

Visit the Alabama Board of Nursing website for the official renewal portal.

CE Requirements

Category	Hours	Required	License Types	Description
General Continuing Education	24	Required	RNLPNAPRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNPCNA	24 contact hours of Board-approved continuing education completed within the last 24 months prior to renewal.
Mandatory New Licensee Course	4	Required	RNLPNAPRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNPCNA	Newly licensed nurses must complete 4 contact hours of Board-provided CE on Board functions, the Nurse Practice Act, regulations, professional conduct, and accountability (included in the 24-hour total).

Important Deadlines

Renewal Due: December 31 of even-numbered years (RN/APRN); December 31 of odd-numbered years (LPN)
Grace Period: No formal grace period. If the license expires on December 31, practicing on an expired license is prohibited. Reinstatement through the ABN portal is required with a reinstatement fee.
CE Completion Window: All CE must be completed during the 2-year period immediately preceding the renewal date
Record Retention: Keep CE certificates for at least 4 years in case of audit by the Alabama Board of Nursing

Important Notes

• Alabama requires 24 CE hours for all license types (RN, LPN, APRN) per renewal cycle

• RN and APRN licenses renew on even-numbered years; LPN licenses renew on odd-numbered years

• The renewal period opens September 1 and closes December 31 at 4:30 p.m.

• Newly licensed nurses must complete a 4-hour Mandatory course from the Board

• Alabama is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) member state

• Free Board-provided CE courses are available through the ABN website

• This information is for guidance only. Always verify requirements with the Alabama Board of Nursing.