SB95 Alabama 2018 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Gerald O. Dial
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2018
Title: Nursing, Board of, loan repayment program for advanced-practice nurses, loan program authorized for certain currently certified nurses, Sec. 34-21-96 am'd.
Summary: SB 95 would expand Alabama's Board of Nursing loan-repayment program to provide loans to new and currently certified advanced-practice nurses who agree to work in medically underserved areas.
What This Bill Does
It authorizes the Board of Nursing to award loans to APRNs who have recently completed graduate degrees and to currently certified APRNs who contract to practice in medically underserved areas. Loans can cover up to three years for a master's degree or up to four years for a doctoral degree, with a yearly cap of $15,000 (adjustable based on public in-state graduate tuition). Recipients must sign contracts to repay by working full-time in a designated underserved area for 18 months for each year of the loan, and the board will review applicants' qualifications. Participants may change the area of service with board approval, but must complete at least three years in the new area.

Who It Affects
Advanced-practice nurses (CRNPs, CNMs, CRNAs) pursuing graduate degrees or already certified who sign contracts to work in medically underserved areas and receive loan funding.
Residents in medically underserved areas who would gain access to more APN clinicians as more loan-funded nurses work in those areas.

Key Provisions
The Board of Nursing may award loans to people pursuing or having completed graduate degrees in CRNP, CNM, or CRNA who sign contracts to work in medically underserved areas.
Loans may cover up to 3 years for a master's degree and up to 4 years for a doctorate, with an annual loan limit of $15,000; the limit can increase in future years based on the average in-state tuition increase for graduate APRN programs at Alabama public colleges.
The board must carefully review applicants' ability, character, and qualifications before awarding loans.
Recipients must sign contracts to repay by working full-time in an area of critical need, at 18 months of service for each year of the loan.
If a participant changes their area of critical need with board approval, they must still complete at least three years of full-time work in the new area.
The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after it is signed by the Governor.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Nursing, Board of