Licensed jobs in Alabama
Alabama: 12 occupations, 13 licensing agencies. For each one: the board, the main credential, its training, application fee and renewal cycle, from the boards' own pages.
On this page
Occupations we cover in Alabama
Alabama licenses 12 of the 12 occupations below at the state level. Teachers have the most levels here (8 credentials); each occupation page covers every level.
| Occupation | Main license | Board | Training or experience | Application fee | Renewal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | Cosmetologist 2 credentials in all | ABOC | Training 1,500 clock hours1 Experience 3,000 hours2 | $503 | Every 2 years1 |
| Notary public | Notary Public 2 credentials in all | Judge of Probate | – | $107 | Every 4 years7 |
| Registered nurse (RN) | Single State Registered Nurse License 2 credentials in all | ABN | – | $1258 | Every 2 years9 |
| Insurance agent | Insurance Producer (resident individual) 4 credentials in all | ALDOI | – | $3011 | Every 2 years12 |
| Plumber | Journeyman Plumber 5 credentials in all | PGFB | Experience 2 years14 | $5015 | Every year16 |
| Certified nursing assistant (CNA) | Certified Nurse Aide | ADPH | Training 75 clock hours19 | – | – |
| Electrician | Journeyman Electrician 3 credentials in all | AECB | Experience 8,000 hours20 | $3520 | Every year20 |
| Security guard | Security Officer 4 credentials in all | ASRB | Training 8 classroom hours21 | $7522 | Every 2 years21 |
| Massage therapist | Massage Therapist (LMT) 3 credentials in all | Alabama Department of Public Health | Training 650 clock hours23 | $15024 | Every 2 years25 |
| Real estate agent | Salesperson (temporary license first, then original license) 2 credentials in all | Alabama Real Estate Commission | Training 60 clock hours28 | $15029 | Every 2 years29 |
| General contractor | Prime Contractor (General Contractor license) 4 credentials in all | Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors | – | $30031 | Every year32 |
| Teacher | Class A Professional Educator Certificate 8 credentials in all | ALSDE | – | – | Every 5 years35 |
Licensing boards
13 agencies issue the Alabama licenses we cover:
- Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE): teachers
- Alabama Plumbers & Gas Fitters Examining Board (PGFB): plumbers
- Alabama Department of Insurance (ALDOI): insurance agents
- Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH): nursing assistants and massage therapists
- Alabama Security Regulatory Board (ASRB): security guards
- Alabama Board of Electrical Contractors (AECB): electricians
- Alabama Board of Cosmetology and Barbering (ABOC): cosmetologists
- Alabama Board of Nursing (ABN): registered nurses
- Alabama Real Estate Commission: real estate agents
- Home Builders Licensure Board (HBLB): general contractors
- Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors: general contractors
- Alabama Secretary of State (SOS): notaries
- Judge of Probate: notaries
Moving to Alabama with a license
For general contractors, the Alabama board names the states whose licenses it accepts. The boards for notaries, nursing assistants and electricians publish no transfer route, so you apply as a new applicant. Conditions, fees and forms are on each occupation page.
| Occupation | Routes the board publishes |
|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | License by endorsement, Temporary license or permit, Military service members and spouses and Multistate license (interstate compact)4561 |
| Notary public | No reciprocity route7 |
| Registered nurse (RN) | License by endorsement and Interstate compact privilege810 |
| Insurance agent | Exam waiver13 |
| Plumber | Exam waiver, Reciprocity agreements, Temporary license or permit and Military service members and spouses171418 |
| Certified nursing assistant (CNA) | – |
| Electrician | – |
| Security guard | License by endorsement and Temporary license or permit2122 |
| Massage therapist | License by endorsement and Military service members and spouses2627 |
| Real estate agent | License by endorsement and Military service members and spouses2830 |
| General contractor | Reciprocity agreements and Military service members and spouses3334 |
| Teacher | License by endorsement35 |
Check a license
Every board above runs its own license search. The Alabama license lookup page lists them in one place, with the links to report an unlicensed or problem provider.
Sources
Every number and rule above links to one of these official pages. Select a footnote number to read the board's own words.
- The Alabama Cosmetology Act (Code of Alabama 1975 §34-7B-1 to -94) and Administrative Rules ch. 250-X-1 to…Alabama Board of Cosmetology and BarberingDated October 15, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- ApprenticesAlabama Board of Cosmetology and BarberingChecked November 7, 2026
- FAQsAlabama Board of Cosmetology and BarberingChecked November 7, 2026
- Reciprocity Instructions and Application (2025-10)Alabama Board of Cosmetology and BarberingChecked November 7, 2026
- Transfer A LicenseAlabama Board of Cosmetology and BarberingChecked November 7, 2026
- Military FamiliesAlabama Board of Cosmetology and BarberingChecked November 7, 2026
- Code of Alabama § 36-20-70Alabama LegislatureChecked November 6, 2026
- Ala. Admin. Code ch. 610-X-4Alabama Legislative Services Agency (Alabama Administrative Code)Dated September 14, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- Code of Ala. 1975 § 34-21-23Alabama Legislature (ALISON, Code of Alabama 1975)Checked November 7, 2026
- Nurse Licensure CompactAlabama Board of NursingChecked November 7, 2026
- ALDOI Producer Requirements - (Individuals)Alabama Department of InsuranceChecked November 7, 2026
- Ala. Admin. Code ch. 482-1-110 Renewal of License and Continuing Education for Producers and Service…Alabama Legislative Services Agency (Alabama Administrative Code)Dated October 15, 2026Checked November 8, 2026
- Code of Alabama 1975 § 27-7-29.1Alabama LegislatureChecked November 7, 2026
- Ala. Admin. Code ch. 720-X (board compilation Jan 2026)Alabama Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining BoardChecked November 7, 2026
- Initial Application for Certificate - JourneymanAlabama Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining BoardChecked November 7, 2026
- Code of Alabama § 34-37-9Alabama LegislatureChecked November 7, 2026
- Out of State ApplicantsAlabama Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining BoardChecked November 7, 2026
- Code of Alabama § 34-37-6Alabama LegislatureChecked November 7, 2026
- 42 CFR 483.35 and 483.151-483.158 (nurse aide training, competency evaluation and registry)Office of the Federal Register (eCFR)Checked November 7, 2026
- Ala. Admin. Code ch. 303-X-3 (Electrical Contractors Board)Alabama Legislative Services Agency (Alabama Administrative Code)Dated February 14, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- Code of Alabama 1975, ch. 34-27C Alabama Security Regulatory Board (secs. 1-18)Alabama Legislature (ALISON)Checked November 7, 2026
- Ala. Admin. Code ch. 832-X-1 Security Regulatory Board Administration and ProcedureAlabama Legislative Services Agency (Alabama Administrative Code)Dated April 14, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
- ADPH Massage Therapy therapistsAlabama Department of Public HealthDated September 3, 2026Checked November 8, 2026
- Ala. Admin. Code ch. 532-X-1Alabama Legislative Services AgencyDated November 14, 2025Checked November 8, 2026
- Code of Ala. 1975 s. 34-43A-11Alabama LegislatureChecked November 8, 2026
- Code of Ala. 1975 s. 34-43A-8Alabama LegislatureChecked November 7, 2026
- Ala. Admin. Code ch. 532-X-3Alabama Legislative Services AgencyDated September 14, 2026Checked November 8, 2026
- Code of Alabama 34-27-32 [Effective until October 1, 2028]Alabama LegislatureChecked November 6, 2026
- Code of Alabama 34-27-35 (version effective until 10/1/2028)Alabama LegislatureChecked November 6, 2026
- Ala. Admin. Code ch. 790-X-1 (Real Estate Commission, General)Alabama Legislative Services Agency (Alabama Administrative Code) - Alabama Real Estate CommissionDated February 14, 2026Checked November 6, 2026
- 2022-Prime-App-InstructionsAlabama Licensing Board for General ContractorsDated February 1, 2022Checked November 5, 2026
- Code of Alabama 34-8-2Alabama LegislatureChecked November 5, 2026
- Alabama LBGC reciprocityAlabama Licensing Board for General ContractorsChecked November 5, 2026
- Ala. Admin. Code r. 230-X-1-.45Alabama Legislative Services AgencyDated July 12, 2021Checked November 5, 2026
- Ala. Admin. Code ch. 290-3-2 (State Board of Education, Educator Certification)Alabama Legislative Services Agency (Alabama Administrative Code)Dated August 14, 2026Checked November 8, 2026