Direct answer
Complete two of three: 30 contact hours, 30 hours of uncompensated professional activities, or 320 hours of nursing employment.
Alaska factual snapshot for this workflow
| Reviewed item | Jurisdiction-specific detail |
|---|---|
| Authority | Alaska Board of Nursing |
| Public verification | Alaska official license verification |
| Renewal cycle | Biennial, even-numbered years |
| Renewal deadline | RN: November 30; LPN: September 30. APRN coordinates with RN renewal. |
| Continuing competence | Complete two of three: 30 contact hours, 30 hours of uncompensated professional activities, or 320 hours of nursing employment. |
| Fees | Confirm the credential-specific amount in the official renewal system. |
| Compact status | Non-compact jurisdiction |
| Credentials | RN, LPN, APRN, CNA |
| Phone | (907) 269-8161 |
| Physical location | 550 W 7th Avenue, Suite 1500, Anchorage, AK 99501-3567 |
For Alaska, 4 primary official source records and 7 labeled official destinations support this jurisdiction guide. Source verification dates are shown separately from editorial release dates.
Continuing education or continuing competence rule
Complete two of three: 30 contact hours, 30 hours of uncompensated professional activities, or 320 hours of nursing employment.
Mandatory topics, pathways and conditions
- Use the credential-specific official instructions.
- Complete any mandatory topic or practice pathway.
- Retain supporting evidence for audit.
Credential-specific checks
Alaska routing note: Alaska Board of Nursing is the responsible licensing authority. Alaska does not provide a routine grace period after expiration.
For Alaska, rN: verify the exact credential record, renewal rule and any credential-specific education or practice requirements.
For Alaska, lPN: verify the exact credential record, renewal rule and any credential-specific education or practice requirements.
For Alaska, aPRN: verify the exact credential record, renewal rule and any credential-specific education or practice requirements.
For Alaska, cNA: verify the exact credential record, renewal rule and any credential-specific education or practice requirements.
Alaska RN: verify that the Alaska Board of Nursing record or the specifically named registry shows the credential, current status and any separate approval required for the role. Renewal or competence requirements may differ from other Alaska credentials.
Alaska LPN: verify that the Alaska Board of Nursing record or the specifically named registry shows the credential, current status and any separate approval required for the role. Renewal or competence requirements may differ from other Alaska credentials.
Alaska APRN: verify that the Alaska Board of Nursing record or the specifically named registry shows the credential, current status and any separate approval required for the role. Renewal or competence requirements may differ from other Alaska credentials.
Alaska CNA: verify that the Alaska Board of Nursing record or the specifically named registry shows the credential, current status and any separate approval required for the role. Renewal or competence requirements may differ from other Alaska credentials.
Keep evidence for an audit
Maintain documentation required by the licensing authority.
- Keep certificates and provider details for the published retention period.
- Confirm course completion falls inside the correct renewal period.
- Do not assume RN and APRN requirements are identical.
- Check whether the provider reports electronically or whether you must upload documentation.
Common CE problems
CE or competence is not accepted
Compare the course, provider, date, credential and documentation with the exact Alaska rule: Complete two of three: 30 contact hours, 30 hours of uncompensated professional activities, or 320 hours of nursing employment. Retain evidence and use the authority’s upload or audit instructions.
Wrong credential rule
Return to the official source and match RN, LPN/LVN, APRN, first-renewal, certificate or assistant requirements before purchasing additional coursework.
Course not accepted
Confirm provider approval, topic, completion date and documentation against the authority instructions. A generic completion certificate does not prove acceptance.
Fraud and privacy safety
- Begin every Alaska transaction from a reviewed authority domain (www.commerce.alaska.gov) or a source-reviewed link on this guide.
- Do not give a caller payment-card details, a password or a one-time code merely because the caller claims to represent Alaska Board of Nursing.
- If threatened with immediate suspension or arrest, end the call and verify the issue through (907) 269-8161 or the secure Alaska account.
- Use Alaska License Verification to confirm current status rather than a private lookup page or emailed screenshot.
- Upload identity, background, education or legal documents only through a secure method explicitly named by Alaska Board of Nursing.
- Before paying, verify the credential, transaction and amount against the current Alaska instructions; save the receipt and then verify the public record.
- For Alaska, report a suspected licensing impersonation or phishing attempt to the authority and the relevant consumer-protection or law-enforcement channel.
Frequently asked questions
How much continuing education is required in Alaska?
Complete two of three: 30 contact hours, 30 hours of uncompensated professional activities, or 320 hours of nursing employment.
Are there mandatory topics?
Use the credential-specific official instructions. Complete any mandatory topic or practice pathway. Retain supporting evidence for audit.
Should I keep completion records?
Maintain documentation required by the licensing authority.
Can CE rules differ by credential?
Yes. RN, LPN/LVN, APRN, first-renewal, assistant and certificate-specific rules can differ.
What if CE does not appear in my account?
Compare the course, provider, date, credential and documentation with the exact Alaska rule: Complete two of three: 30 contact hours, 30 hours of uncompensated professional activities, or 320 hours of nursing employment. Retain evidence and use the authority’s upload or audit instructions.
Can I use any online course?
No. Confirm accepted providers, course categories, mandatory topics and completion dates before purchasing a course.
Is CE always required for every renewal?
Not necessarily. Some jurisdictions use practice hours, competency pathways, exemptions or credential-specific requirements. Use the exact official rule.
Where do I verify CE information?
Use the official continuing education or competence source listed in the official-resource directory.
Source-reviewed official resources
Alaska license verification ↗
Primary official source reviewed for this jurisdiction.
Exact primary-source record · July 27, 2026Alaska licensing or renewal portal ↗
Primary official source reviewed for this jurisdiction.
Exact primary-source record · July 27, 2026Alaska Board of Nursing ↗
Primary official source reviewed for this jurisdiction.
Exact primary-source record · July 27, 2026Nurse Licensure Compact ↗
National compact resource used with the Alaska status recorded as Non-compact jurisdiction; individual eligibility depends on the actual license designation and primary state of residence.
Exact primary-source record · July 27, 2026NCLEX Official Website ↗
Official NCLEX information for examination candidates applying through Alaska Board of Nursing; passing the exam does not itself create an Alaska license.
National official source · July 28, 2026NCSBN License Verification Guidance ↗
National licensing guidance used to interpret verification categories; the local Alaska source remains Alaska official license verification.
National official source · July 28, 2026Nursys QuickConfirm and e-Notify ↗
National participating-board service used alongside Alaska official license verification for Alaska; follow Alaska Board of Nursing instructions for endorsement or monitoring.
National official service · July 28, 2026Official sources reviewed
Alaska Board of Nursing ↗
Reviewed July 27, 2026
Alaska license verification ↗
Reviewed July 27, 2026
Alaska licensing or renewal portal ↗
Reviewed July 27, 2026
Nurse Licensure Compact ↗
Reviewed July 27, 2026