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AL · Alabama Board of Nursing (ABN) & Alabama Board of Medical Examiners (ABME)

Alabama

Dual-board state: ABN issues the CRNP; ABME approves the Collaborative Practice (COQ). Controlled substances require a separate QACSC from ABME.

Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner (CRNP)CompactRestricted practice

RN License

Compact RNs from a member state can practice on the multistate privilege. Only apply for an Alabama RN by Endorsement if Alabama becomes your Primary State of Residence.

  1. 1
    Apply for RN by Endorsement (only if AL is your PSOR)

    Submit through the ABN Nurse Portal. Choose Multi-State (MSL) or Single-State (SSL).

  2. 2
    FieldPrint fingerprinting

    Schedule electronic prints through FieldPrint after the portal application is submitted.

APRN Application — Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner (CRNP)

ABN issues the CRNP after ABME approves your Collaborative Practice (COQ).

  1. 1
    Hold active RN + current national certification (AANP/ANCC)

    Certification must remain unexpired throughout the process.

  2. 2
    Send official graduate transcripts directly from the school to ABN
  3. 3
    Send national certification verification directly from AANP/ANCC to ABN
  4. 4
    Submit the CRNP application via Nurse Portal
  5. 5
    ABME Commencement of Practice — auto-issued after COQ approval

    Confirms you may begin practicing under the approved collaborative agreement.

Prescriptive Authority (separate application)

Schedule III–V is handled inside the COQ formulary. Schedule II requires a separate Limited Purpose Schedule II Permit (LPSP) — one per collaborating physician.

  1. 1
    Complete 12 AMA PRA Category 1 CME hours in controlled-substance prescribing

    Required before applying for QACSC.

  2. 2
    Apply for QACSC (Qualified APRN Controlled Substance Certificate)
  3. 3
    Apply for LPSP (Schedule II only — one per collaborating physician)

    Submit LPSP application, formulary, covering physician agreement, and proof of DEA CII.

  4. 4
    Register with PDMP (AlaPDMP)

Collaboration & Path to Autonomy

ABME-approved Standard Protocol and Quality Assurance plan with one or more collaborating physicians.

Rules
  • Limit: 360 FTE patient-care hours per CRNP per week per physician.
  • Physical presence required at least 10% of practice time only when CRNP works <4,000 hrs in the prior 12 months.
  • Quarterly QA meetings required for the first 2 years of each CPA.
  • New CPAs initiated on or after Jan 1, 2025 require additional CME within the first year.

How to apply

ABME-approved Standard Protocol and Quality Assurance plan with one or more collaborating physicians.

  1. 1
    Complete free 3.5-hour Collaborative Practice CE on the ABN website
  2. 2
    Draft Standard Protocol + QA plan with collaborating physician
  3. 3
    Submit COQ application to ABME
  4. 4
    Termination & changes — file with both boards

    Either party may terminate. File rule-compliant notice.

Path to autonomous practice

Alabama does not currently offer autonomous APRN practice. Collaborative agreement is required throughout the license lifecycle.

Renewal & CE

Cycle
Biennial (by Dec 31 of even years)
CE hours
24 contact hours per cycle (CRNP) — includes 6 hrs pharmacology if prescribing
Deadline
December 31
Renewal fee
$103 RN MSL · $80 CRNP renewal
CE Broker
Not used
Notes
Reinstatement: $250 (<5 yrs lapsed) · $500 (>5 yrs lapsed).

Official Forms

Board Contact

Alabama Board of Nursing
770 Washington Ave, RSA Plaza Suite 250, Montgomery, AL 36104
(334) 293-5200
Open licensing portal

All Fees

Every cost across sections, plus universal lines (Nursys, transcripts, notary). DEA is shown only in the "with DEA" total.

ItemScopeAmount
RN by Endorsement — Multi-State
rn$225.00
RN online transaction fee
rn$3.50
FieldPrint fingerprinting (approx)
rn$49.75
CRNP Certificate of Qualification (initial)
aprn$175.00
QACSC initial
CS only$110.00
LPSP — per collaborating physician (Schedule II only)
CS only$25.00
COQ — Full Approval
collab$175.00
COQ — Eligible for Collaboration (lower tier)
collab$100.00
Renewal — $103 RN MSL · $80 CRNP renewal
renewal$0.00
Nursys license verification
Per destination state — one transaction
universal$30.00
Official transcripts (estimate)
Per institution — sent direct from school
universal$15.00
Notary (if needed)
Only if a form requires notarization
Notarize online with Proof →
universal$25.00
DEA registration (3-year)
One DEA covers every state where you prescribe controlled substances
DEA Diversion →
CS only$888.00
Total — without DEA$798.25
Total — with DEA (if prescribing controlled substances)$1,821.25

FYI / Tips

  • Two boards must approve before you can practice — plan for ABN + ABME timelines in parallel.
  • QACSC requires the 12-hour CME first — order CME before submitting.
  • Compact RN privilege is enough unless Alabama becomes your PSOR.