Registered Nurse / Alaska
2026 data Alaska board official source

Alaska Registered Nurse License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

State-board requirements, fees, and renewal cycle drawn from official regulator records.

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Provides patient care, administers medications, and coordinates with physicians. Requires NCLEX-RN exam.

What the Alaska data shows for Registered Nurses

Alaska's path to registered nurse licensure runs through 2,149 hours of approved instruction and a passing score on NCLEX-RN, plus a criminal history screening before applicants younger than 18 can be licensed. Alaska folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, which classifies the training track as "Associate or Bachelor of Science in Nursing".

The initial price tag is $175, and renewal costs $100 every 2 years. Applications usually take around 6 weeks to process once complete. Renewal isn't the end of the cost: 30 hours of continuing education are due every 2-year cycle, a recurring time commitment worth planning for.

Reciprocity for this profession works like this: NLC Compact: 41 states allow multistate practice.

Licensing Ease Score

C-
Licensing Ease Score
52/100
Registered Nurse · Alaska

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training F
2,149 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee D
$101
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden B
$35/yr
$69 every 2 years
Continuing Education F
15.0 hrs/yr
30 hours every 2 years
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Alaska

Education / Training Hours
Associate or Bachelor of Science in Nursing
2,149 hours
Exam Requirement
NCLEX-RN
Required
Initial License Fee
$101
Renewal Fee
$69
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Processing Time
After complete application submitted
6 wks
Continuing Education
30 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years
Compare fees across all states for Registered Nurse →

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Registered Nurse All Alaska licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Alaska licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Registered Nurse in Alaska? ▼
Alaska requires 2149 education/training hours, passing an exam (NCLEX-RN), and an initial fee of $101. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as a Registered Nurse in Alaska? ▼
Alaska licenses registered nurses who complete its requirements (2149 education hours) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the Alaska licensing board.
Can I transfer my Registered Nurse license to Alaska from another state? ▼
Registered Nurse licenses generally reciprocate as follows: NLC Compact: 41 states allow multistate practice. Interstate licensing compacts cover many professions and can further ease a move between states. The Alaska licensing board can confirm the current rules for your credential.
Does Alaska require a background check for Registered Nurse licensing? ▼
Background screening is part of the registered nurse licensing process in Alaska. The state licensing board determines which offenses disqualify an applicant and how appeals are handled.
What are the continuing education requirements for Registered Nurse in Alaska? ▼
Alaska ties continued registered nurse licensure to 30 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $69 renewal fee.
How much does it cost to get a Registered Nurse license in Alaska? ▼
The initial licensing fee in Alaska is $175. The renewal fee is $100 every 2 years. Processing typically takes 6 weeks after submitting your complete application.
How long does Registered Nurse license processing take in Alaska? ▼
In Alaska, license processing for registered nurses typically takes approximately 6 weeks after your complete application is submitted. Processing times may vary based on application volume and completeness of documentation.

Related Guides

What to do with this registered nurse license

Registered Nurse in Alaska, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a registered nurse-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how Alaska's registered nurse requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Registered Nurse in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state registered nurse license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how Alaska's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Alaska overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Alaska licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.