Alabama RN Continuing Education Requirements, Explained
Last reviewed June 2026 against the official sources linked below. Requirements change — always confirm with your board before relying on them.
Total hours
24 contact hours
Renewal cycle
Every 2 years, expires Dec 31 of even years
First renewal
Plus 4-hour Board course
Issued by
Alabama Board of Nursing
Alabama keeps its core rule simple: 24 contact hours every two years from a Board-approved or Board-recognized provider. There is one twist most new nurses miss - an extra 4-hour Board course due at your first renewal.
Here is the full picture, including the deadline and who needs that first-renewal course.
The base requirement: 24 contact hours every 2 years
To renew an RN license on active status, the Alabama Board of Nursing requires 24 contact hours from a Board-approved or Board-recognized continuing education provider during the two-year cycle.
Alabama does not publish a long list of rotating mandatory clinical topics for every renewal, so most nurses meet the requirement with general practice-relevant CE - but watch the first-renewal course below.
The first-renewal course and other details
- First license renewal: 4 contact hours of Alabama Board-provided CE covering Board functions, the Nurse Practice Act, regulations, professional conduct, and accountability.
- This first-renewal course is in addition to your 24 contact hours, and it is a one-time requirement tied to your first renewal.
- If your initial period is shorter than a full two years, the Board prorates the contact hours - check the Board's CE proration chart.
- CE must come from a Board-approved or Board-recognized provider.
Stop tracking this in a spreadsheet
Progress rings per requirement, private certificate storage, deadline reminders, and a one-click audit packet. Set up in two minutes — free for your first license.
Start tracking — freeWhen is your deadline?
Alabama RN licenses expire on December 31 of even-numbered years, regardless of when you were first licensed. The renewal period opens at 8:00 a.m. on September 1 and ends at 4:30 p.m. on December 31 of the odd year preceding expiration.
Complete your CE before you renew, and keep certificates - the Board audits a share of renewals.
How CredTally keeps this on autopilot
- Enter hours once and the progress ring shows how many of your 24 hours are done - and flags the first-renewal 4-hour Board course if it applies to you.
- Snap each certificate when you finish; it is stored privately with the credit and ready for an audit.
- Reminders at 90, 60, 30, and 7 days before your December 31 deadline.
- Export a dated audit packet of your full two-year cycle in one click.
Frequently asked questions
How many CE hours does an Alabama RN need?
Twenty-four contact hours every two years from a Board-approved or Board-recognized provider.
What is the first-renewal requirement?
An extra 4 contact hours of Alabama Board-provided CE on Board functions, the Nurse Practice Act, and professional conduct, due at your first renewal.
When does my Alabama RN license expire?
December 31 of every even-numbered year; the renewal window opens September 1 of the preceding odd year.
Does Alabama prorate hours for a short first period?
Yes. The Board prorates contact hours for shorter initial periods - see its CE proration chart.
Official sources
CredTally is a record-keeping tool and is not affiliated with any licensing board. This guide is general information, not legal or compliance advice.
CredTally tracks all of this for you
Progress rings per requirement, private certificate storage, deadline reminders, and a one-click audit packet. Set up in two minutes — free for your first license.
Start tracking — free