Alaska licensure requirements for international nurses

With stunning scenery and a strong demand for registered nurses, thousands go through the Alaska Board of Nursing application for licensure each year. If you’ve been considering moving to the state but aren’t sure how the licensure application process works, Espirita can help guide you through it. 

In this guide, you’ll find information about: 

• Eligibility criteria for international nurses 
• How to apply for licensure in Alaska 
• Why work as an international nurse in Alaska 
• Is Alaska a compact state? 
• Is there a nursing shortage in Alaska? 
• How Espirita can help you move to Alaksa

Eligibility criteria for international nurses 

To apply for a nursing license with the Alaska Board of Nursing (BoN), you must complete a board-approved education programme. It must be comparable to an approved US programme. Your educational course could be the equivalent to: 

• Diploma in Nursing: Typically offered by hospitals, these programmes take about two to three years to complete. 
• Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN): Commonly offered at community colleges and takes two to three years to complete. 
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): A four-year degree programme offered at universities. 
• Master of Science in Nursing (MSN): An advanced degree for specialised roles, usually requiring a BSN in a health-related field for entry. 
• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP): The highest level of nursing education, focusing on clinical practice. 

Working as a nurse in the US requires high-quality medical practice, which is why the National Council of State Board of Nursing (NCSBN) standardised the criteria for newly qualified nurses seeking licensure. 

How to apply for licensure in Alaska 

Applying for licensure in Alaska involves several key steps. By understanding the requirements, you can speed up the process and avoid potential delays. 

Licensure by exam 

International nurses seeking registration with the Alaska BoN must apply for licensure by examination, to allow the state board to thoroughly assess nurses’ previous education credentials and skills.  

The steps to get your licensure by examination may include: 

• Verifying your credentials: Submitting a Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing School (CGFNS) Credential Evaluation Service (CES) report or VisaScreen® assessment. 
• Completing an English language proficiency exam: Only if your course was not taught in English. 
• Passing the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX): The exam is taken in an NCLEX testing centre on a computer.  Find out what to do next after passing the NCLEX.
• Completing background checks: All international Alaska nursing license applications must include a completed fingerprint card provided by the State of Alaska or the standard Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Form FD-258.

Licensure by endorsement 

If you’re a nurse applying for licensure in the US and have already passed your NCLEX, you may be able to apply via endorsement. This is usually an option for Canadian nurses. However, it does not mean that they will automatically receive their Alaskan nursing licence, this is dependent on whether they have fulfilled the state BoN’s criteria.  

Some steps you may take to get your licence by endorsement are: 

• Completing an online application through the myAlaska portal 
• Paying required fees by credit card 
• Uploading the original verified signature page to a myAlaska account or mailing it to the board office 
• Submitting one original fingerprint card (same as the one needed for licensure by examination) 
• Passing an English proficiency exam if the nursing program was outside the US or Canada 

Alaskan licensure fees 

Moving to the US involves several costs, especially as many state boards of nursing require similar actions. The fees associated with obtaining licensure in Alaska are as follows:  

• CGFNS CES Professional Report: $485 USD, with an expedited review costing an additional $425 USD 
• VisaScreen® Application: $740 USD, with an expedited review costing an additional $650 USD. 
• English Language Proficiency Tests: Typically ranges from $180 USD to $300 USD, depending on the location 
• NCLEX Registration Fee: $200 USD, with an additional $150 USD scheduling fee 

In Alaska, the total nursing licensure cost is $375, this covers: 

• Application fee: $100 USD 
• Licence fee: $200 USD 
• Fingerprint processing fee: $75 USD 

Processing times 

Once you have applied for a licence with the Alaska Board of Nursing, you’ll typically get an update regarding the status of the initial application within four to six weeks. However, if you’re requested to provide additional information once you have received the update, this can take another four to six weeks to review.  

If you would like to find out the progress of your application, you can contact the Alaska BoN to check for updates. 

Why work as an international nurse in Alaska 

 Alaska is one of the best states for international nurses to move to in the US because of its:

• Job opportunities 
• High renumeration of up to $49 USD per hour 
• Stunning scenery 
• Abundance of activities

In Alaska, you can expect to find roles that are advertised in populated areas and rural locations to reach communities in every part of the state. The natural beauty of the state offers its residents beautiful landscapes and easily accessible outdoor activities. Dog mushing, also known as dog sledding, is the official state sport, with Fairbanks celebrated as the global city for this activity. Additionally, Alaska boasts 17 of the 20 tallest mountain peaks in the United States, providing residents and visitors alike with many hiking trails. 

Is Alaska a compact state? 

Alaska is not currently part of the NLC agreement, meaning nurses who work and live there can only practice in that state. However, this may change as Governor Mike Delaney has introduced legislation to join the Multistate Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC).  

The NLC is an agreement that allows nurses licensed in compact states to hold a single compact state license, enabling them to practice in any participating state Currently, there are 41 active states in the NLC agreement, meaning they have access to working in different states without needing to get any additional licences. 

Is there a nursing shortage in Alaska? 

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, Alaska has struggled to maintain its nursing workforce. The pandemic caused a significant number of nurses to leave the profession, resulting in challenges for the state to train new nurses. Alaska needs 9,400 healthcare professionals each year to meet employment demands. To fill the gap, the state has been relying on travelling nurses, which is proving costly for many hospitals across the state. 

With a high demand for nurses, internationally trained healthcare professionals will be welcome and can expect numerous opportunities to explore throughout the state. 

How Espirita can help you move to Alaksa 

Our recruitment and relocation experts are here to make your journey to the US as smooth as possible. We’re by your side from the very beginning of the process all the, helping you with:

• Relocation, including securing accommodation and travel 
• Regulatory body applications 
• Documentation collation guidance 
• Right to work applications and visas 
• Compliance