Alabama Nurse Practitioner CE Requirements

Renewal cycle

2 years (biennial). Single-state RN licenses run Jan 1 of odd years through Dec 31 of even years; multistate licenses run even-to-odd years (Ala. Admin. Code 610-X-4-.08).

Total CE hours

24 contact hours of Board-approved/recognized CE per 2-year earning period (applies to all licensed nurses incl. CRNPs; the APRN pharmacology hours count within the 24). First renewal: 4-hour Board-provided course on nursing regulation/scope/standards plus 1 hour per remaining calendar month, max 24.

Pharmacology CE

6 contact hours of pharmacology per renewal, specific to prescriptive practice in the approved collaborative practice area, as part of the 24 (Ala. Admin. Code 610-X-4, verified in official admin code text; applies to CRNP, CNM, CNS, CRNA). Graduate pharmacology credit earned before initial CRNP approval does not qualify; if <=1 year remains in the license period at initial approval, pharm CE not required for the first renewal.

Controlled-substance CE

CRNPs holding a QACSC (Qualified Alabama Controlled Substances Certificate) must complete 4 AMA PRA Category 1 credits every two years from an Alabama Board of Medical Examiners-approved course on prescribing controlled substances (these 4 hours can count toward the 6 pharm/24 total). Initial QACSC: 8 hours controlled-substance prescribing instruction + 4 hours advanced pharmacology within 1 year of application (albme.gov).

Good to know

Numbers read directly from Ala. Admin. Code Chapter 610-X-4-.08 (renewal) and QACSC rules on the Board of Medical Examiners site. A PMHNP prescribing controlled substances in Alabama needs the QACSC, so 4 of their 6 pharm hours must be BME-approved controlled-substance prescribing CME. CRNPs practice under collaborative agreements. National certification must also be maintained but does not replace the 24-hour state CE requirement.

Official sources