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Frequently Asked Questions – Endorsement
Q. Can I apply for
Endorsement online?
A.
Yes.
Complete the application online at
www.abn.alabama.gov.
If you request a temporary permit, you can
pay online and mail us a notarized copy of your current license from
another state.
Q. How long does it take
to get a license?
A.
There is no timetable for issuing licenses.
A license will only be issued when all
requirements are completed.
Applications are processed on a first-in
first-out basis.
Q. How much does it cost?
A. $85.00 for the application and an additional $50.00
if requesting a temporary permit.
Q. My nursing school is
closed. How can I obtain a transcript?
A. Contact the State Board of Nursing in
the state that your school was located. Someone was appointed
receivership of the school’s records.
Q. How can I apply
for a temporary permit? How long is it valid? Do I have to have CE to
obtain a temporary permit?
A. There are three requirements to
issue a temporary permit: completed application, fee and a notarized
copy of a current active license card. Once those items are received,
if there are no legal issues with the application, then the temporary
permit will be issued and mailed. Temporary permits are valid for 90
days or until license is issued/denied. Temporary permits allow you to
work for 90 days while you meet all other requirements for permanent
licensure. Contact hours are not required in order for the temporary
permit to be issued.
Q. I’ve held an
Alabama license in the past. I also hold licensure in other states. Do
I need to endorse?
A. Once you’ve had an Alabama license,
you always have an Alabama license. If you did not keep it current,
then the status is lapsed and you will need to reinstate it. You can
not endorse on a lapsed license. You can reinstate a lapsed license
online at www.abn.alabama.gov.
Q. My original state
of licensure is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact. Is this
acceptable for Alabama?
A. Alabama is not a member of the Nurse
Licensure Compact. It is mandatory to obtain an Alabama license in
order to work or practice in Alabama.
Q. How do I obtain my
contact hours?
A.
All required contact
hours may be obtained from the following activities: workshops,
seminars, classroom, web casts, internet, intranet, home study,
continuing education journals, and pod casts.
You may search for CE Providers in
your area and browse through a list of upcoming CE opportunities under
the Continuing Ed section of the Board’s website at
www.abn.alabama.gov. You can
also search the internet for continuing education for nurses. Keep in
mind, that MEDCEU (the online company) contact hours are not accepted by
the Alabama Board of Nursing.
Q. What is the earning
period for the contact hours?
A. Contact hours should be no older than
24 months from the date you apply.
Q. The state I am
endorsing from does not require contact hours. Do I still need to have
them?
A. All endorsement applicants are
required to submit 24 contact hours of continuing education, even if
they are coming from a state that does not require them. You can
contact your previous employer and request a print out of your
in-service hours. Employee in-service hours must be printed on company
letterhead and signed by an education coordinator. If you need to earn
the 24 contact hours for submission, then you can request a temporary
permit. A temporary permit will allow you to work while earning your
CE.
Q. I am a new
graduate. Do I need 24 contact hours? Can my college course work be
used as continuing education?
A. All endorsement applicants,
regardless of their graduation date are required to submit 24 contact
hours of continuing education.
We only accept college
credit as CE, if it is above and beyond what you used to obtain your
original license.
Q. I started the
Endorsement process, but have had a change of plans. Can I get a
refund?
A. Fees paid to the Alabama Board of
Nursing are not refundable. Your application and fees will remain
active for one year. You would be able to complete the endorsement
process at any time within that period.
Q. I will be moving
during the endorsement process. Will my license or other correspondence
be forwarded?
A. Most of the Board’s mail is not
forwarded due to the nature of the contents. Please be sure to keep
your address up to date with the Board office. This can be done under
the online services section of the Board’s website at
www.abn.alabama.gov. There is
a $25 fee to resend mail that is returned to the Board office.
Q. The Board of Nursing
for my original licensure says my verification should come from NURSYS.
How is this done?
A. You need to go
www.nursys.com and follow their instructions for requesting
verification.
Q. How can I check the
status of my application?
A. You can check the status of your application under the “Endorsement
Status Check” section of the Board’s website. The endorsement status
check provides you with a checklist of items that the Board is still
waiting to receive. Once the license is issued you will be directed to
the “License Look-Up” section of the Board’s website.
Q. How can I verify
that my license has been issued?
A. Once the license is issued you can
verify your status under the “License Look-Up” section of the Board’s
website.
Q. How will Endorsement
affect upcoming license renewals and effective dates?
A. An RN license that is issued
between now and 08/31/2010 will receive an active license with an
expiration date of 12/31/2010.
An LPN license that is issued
between now and 08/31/2011 will receive an active license with an
expiration date of 12/31/2011.
If the applicant for licensure by
endorsement is issued a license during the renewal period for that
license type, the license shall expire at the end of the next license
period. Nurses whose licenses are issued through the endorsement
process shall accrue for the first license renewal one contact hour for
each calendar month remaining in the earning period.
Contact hours earned for initial
licensure by endorsement may not be used toward the continuing education
requirement for the next license renewal period.
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