50-State Guide

Alabama

Data provenance — all states

At a Glance

CategoryDetails
IMLC MemberYes
FCVSN/A
NP Independent PracticeNo
PA Independent PracticeNo
Physician-Owned PC AllowedYes
Max NPs per Physician9
Max PAs per Physician9

Licensure

ItemCost
Initial License$375
Renewal Fee$300
Renewal CycleAnnual
Annualized Cost$300
Controlled Substance RegistrationYes ($150/yr)

Endorsement & Reciprocity

  • Fees: Alabama lists only five license types (no distinct 'endorsement' type); out-of-state physicians use the same Full License pathway ($375 itemized) as new applicants.
  • Verification scope: Former reciprocity statute Ala. Code 34-24-507 was repealed by Act 2022-302 (eff. 7/11/2022) and concerned cross-border special-purpose licenses, not standard endorsement. No current primary-source statement found confirming or denying an endorsement-by-credentials pathway distinct from the Full License application; needs manual portal check.

Verified 2026-08-14 Report an error

APC Supervision

In-state requirement for supervising physicians: Strict: Must be resident & practicing in AL.

Nurse Practitioners

NPs require physician supervision in Alabama.

  • Maximum NPs per physician: 9

Physician Assistants

PAs require physician supervision in Alabama.

  • Maximum PAs per physician: 9

Additional Notes

Combined cap of 9 Full-Time Equivalents (FTE).

CME & Training Requirements

RequirementDetails
Total CMEContact board
Category 1 Minimum2 hours
CycleAnnual
Opioid / SUD2 hrs/cycle
DEA MATE Act8 hrs one-time (federal)
Jurisprudence ExamRequired

Fingerprint Requirements

DetailInfo
RequiredYes
FBI CheckUnknown
MethodLiveScan
Out-of-State OptionsContact board

Malpractice Insurance

Malpractice insurance: Not yet verified — whether this state mandates professional liability coverage as a condition of licensure is being researched.

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Giving Up a License

  • Status after lapse: License remains Active through a Jan. 1–31 grace period (late fee), then automatically becomes inactive if not renewed/registered within 31 days after the registration due date.
  • Lapse consequences: Late fee applies during Jan. grace period; after lapse, reinstatement requires payment of all past-due renewal fees for up to two years plus an additional $250, plus a $850 (or $550 if expired current calendar year) reinstatement fee and $65 background-check fee.
  • Voluntary surrender: Available — Board is authorized to accept surrender of a certificate of qualification; a certificate of qualification voluntarily surrendered while under investigation or during pendency of an administrative hearing is subject to a 5-year reinstatement jurisdiction bar, implying non-discipline surrenders are treated differently.
  • Reinstatement: Requires written application, payment of all past-due renewal fees (up to 2 years) plus $250, criminal background check with FBI fingerprint cards, proof of citizenship, and 25 AMA PRA Category 1 CME credits from the prior 12 months.

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Quirks & Gotchas

  • Canadian medical school graduates are now classified as international medical graduates (IMGs) requiring ECFMG certification effective 7/1/2025 - a recent change that catches Canadians off guard
  • A criminal history background check is mandatory and carries a $65 non-refundable fee built into the application
  • No malpractice insurance requirement - Alabama does not mandate professional liability coverage as a licensure condition (unusual and worth knowing if you’re coming from a state that does).

These quirks are researched from state board websites and may change. Verify with the board directly before applying.

Resources

Sources

Data compiled from state medical board websites, FSMB, and regulatory filings.

Have a correction or update? Let us know.