Alaska is a state well-known for its vast, beautiful, and snowy landscapes. Host to a lot of natural beauty and plenty of wildlife, the state is also an excellent place to live and work. For anyone not native to Alaska, it may be surprising to learn that Alaskans regard the standard of living in the state as very satisfactory. Boasting a lower population density than the other states, Alaska also offers plenty of career opportunities with exceptional compensation.
Being a registered nurse in Alaska can be more rewarding than in many other states. The average base salary for a registered nurse in Alaska is $131,777. Offering compensation significantly higher than most others, Alaska is a popular destination for nurses seeking lucrative careers.
According to a recent study from the Alaska Hospital and Healthcare Association, the state is also suffering from a staffing shortage like other states. In 2023, Alaska had a 24% vacancy rate. As the state works to address the staffing shortage, it is up to currently practicing nurses to play their part in upholding the state’s healthcare system. As a registered nurse in Alaska, you must maintain your license by renewing it before it expires.
Fast CE For Less has created this guide to help you understand the process of renewing your registered nurse license in Alaska. From the application deadline to the nursing continuing education requirements, we will cover the important facts to streamline the process for you.
How to Renew Your Registered Nurse License in Alaska
To ensure a high standard of care delivery, nursing boards across the country issue licenses that expire every two to three years. In that time, license holders must prove their continuing competency to fulfill their roles by meeting certain requirements while their licenses are active. Once they fulfill those requirements, they can qualify for renewed credentials.
In this section of the guide, we will cover the steps you must follow to renew your registered nurse license in Alaska.
Step 1: Identify the Deadline to Submit Your License Renewal Application
Each state’s nursing board issues licenses that expire every two to three years. During this time, registered nurses must fulfill a set of requirements specified by their board to renew their license. However, it is vital to know the deadline to submit the application, to allow enough time to complete the requirements and file the renewal application with the board.
The Alaska Board of Nursing is responsible for issuing licenses to registered nurses in Alaska that expire every two years. The issued licenses expire on November 30 in even-numbered years. However, if you received a license within 90 days of the standard expiration date, your license would expire based on the next expiration date.
To ensure that license holders do not miss the deadline to renew their license, the Alaska Board of Nursing mails a notice of expiration 60 days before the deadline to the address in its record. If you move, it is your responsibility to contact the Alaska Board of Nursing to update their records.
Step 2: Fulfill Your Nursing Continuing Education Requirements
Nursing boards nationwide set their own requirements for license holders to fulfill in order to qualify for renewed credentials. In Alaska, you can follow one of three routes to become eligible for a license renewal:
- Complete a nursing refresher course from a provider approved by the Alaska Board of Nursing
- Attain a certification or degree related to nursing, completing at least six academic credits for the specific certification or degree.
- 320 hours of working as a nurse, in addition to 30 contact hours of nursing continuing education courses, and 30 hours of performing nursing activities within the renewal period.
Step 3: File Your License Renewal Application with the Alaska Board of Nursing
Once you fulfill the requirements to qualify for a license renewal in Alaska, you must submit an application with the Alaska Board of Nursing. There are no late penalties for missing the application deadline. If you fail to renew your license on time, it will expire, and you must go through the longer and more expensive process of reinstating your license.
Within 60 days of your license expiration date, and after completing the nursing continuing education requirements, you must visit the Alaska Board of Nursing’s official website to access your portal here. Follow the prompts and double-check all the information for accuracy. Once you complete the renewal application, you can pay the $200 license renewal fee online to submit the application. If you received your license after December 1 in the previous odd-numbered year, your license renewal fee will be prorated to $100.
The Alaska Board of Nursing no longer processes hard-copy license renewal applications. If you need guidance on setting up your account with their online portal, you can access the instructions here for more information.
Understanding the License Renewal Requirements in Alaska
Each state sets the requirements for license holders in its jurisdiction to fulfill to qualify for a renewed license. These requirements can involve completing certifications, a specific number of working hours, contact hours of nursing continuing education courses, or a combination of these. According to the Alaska Board of Nursing, three possible ways exist to qualify.
If you want to take nursing continuing education courses, you must also ensure you complete 320 hours of nursing employment alongside 30 contact hours of continuing education. When completing the courses, you must ensure you take them through a provider approved by the Alaska Board of Nursing, like Fast CE For Less.
If you have not completed your nurse CE requirements, online nursing CEUs offered by Fast CE For Less can help. In addition to expanding your knowledge and skills in various specialty areas, these courses can help you fulfill your nurse continuing education requirements while managing your busy schedule.
To access flexible and affordable nursing continuation education course bundles, visit www.fastceforless.com.
