Alaska Nursing CE Requirements (2026): 30 Hours Every 2 Years

Requirements Overview

Alaska uses a unique continuing competency model requiring nurses to satisfy any two of three methods: 30 CE contact hours, 30 hours of uncompensated professional activities, or 320 hours of nursing employment. Nurses who meet two non-CE methods (employment plus professional activities) can renew without any formal CE hours.

For those choosing the CE pathway, at least 20 of the 30 hours must come from accredited providers such as ANCC, ACCME, or ACPE. The remaining 10 hours may be earned through in-service education at a licensed health care facility.

RN licenses expire November 30 of even-numbered years. The Board conducts random audits, and licensees should maintain CE documentation for at least four years.

Mandatory Topics

Renewal Pathways

Exemptions

• ✓
  Alternative Methods (12 AAC 44.640) — Licensees may qualify through completing a Board-approved refresher course, taking the NCLEX, or attaining a degree or certificate in nursing (or progress of at least 6 academic credits) beyond original licensure education requirements.

  Must be documented before renewal.
• ✓
  Certification In Lieu Of CE Contact Hours — Approved certifications may be used in lieu of CE contact hours as one of the two required competency methods.

  Only A credits accepted for CRNAs; B credits not accepted.

How You Can Complete Your CE

Alaska CE Rules & Limits

Details specific to Alaska that generic CE guides tend to miss:

• Carry-over — No carryover provision is mentioned in 12 AAC 44.610 or on the Board's continuing competency page. CE must be completed during the two-year period before the licensing period for which renewal is sought.
• Alaska uses a 'two of three methods' system for continuing competency: CE (30 hours), professional activities (30 hours uncompensated), and nursing employment (320 hours). Licensees must complete any two.
• CPR and BLS courses are NOT accepted for CE credit. ACLS and PALS are accepted.
• No more than 10 of the 30 CE contact hours may be earned through in-service nursing education offered by a licensed health care facility.
• Only A credits accepted for CRNAs; the board will not give CE credit for CRNA B credits.
• RN licenses expire November 30 of even-numbered years (biennial renewal).
• If randomly selected for audit, licensees must submit documentation proving they satisfied continuing competency requirements. Records should be maintained for at least four years.

Provider Requirements

CE must be from programs accredited by: American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), nurse practitioner or nurse anesthetist certifying bodies, or Board-approved sponsors. Also accepted: ANA, AMA, other Boards of Nursing. At least 20 of 30 hours must be from accredited providers; up to 10 hours may be from in-service education at a licensed health care facility.

Tips for Alaska RNs

• Map out which two of the three competency methods you'll use before starting your renewal cycle — this determines whether you need any CE hours at all.
• CPR and BLS courses are not accepted for CE credit in Alaska, though ACLS and PALS courses are. Plan accordingly if emergency certifications are part of your routine training.
• Keep all CE certificates and documentation for at least four years. Alaska conducts random audits and you'll need proof of completion.
• In-service education at your facility can cover up to 10 of your 30 CE hours — check with your employer about qualifying programs.

Sources

Each figure on this page is taken directly from the Alaska Board of Nursing's official rules and continuing-education sources and recorded with the exact source excerpt. Last verified Mar 2026. Read how we compile and verify this data.

Other Professions in Alaska