Verified October 10, 2026 against the statutes, regulations and sources cited below. The state decides every application. All states
What suppliers miss in Alabama
- A mail order company that ships only by carrier and never enters the home can be exempt, but a company that ships oxygen or respiratory equipment this way is not treated as mail order.
- The license application must be signed by someone who can bind the company and notarized under oath.
- Liability insurance of at least $300,000 covering the Alabama location is required.
Does Alabama require a DME supplier license?
Alabama licenses home medical equipment services providers, location by location, and no one may operate while an application is pending. Home medical equipment includes any product reimbursable under HCPCS codes, including Medicare Part B and Alabama Medicaid DME. Exemptions include retail community pharmacies, hospital-based services, certified home health agencies and qualifying mail order companies.
- DME or HME license
- Home Medical Equipment Services Provider License
- Issued by Alabama Board of Home Medical Equipment
Citation: Code of Ala. 1975, 34-14C-1 to 34-14C-8; Ala. Admin. Code ch. 473-X
Do out-of-state suppliers shipping into Alabama need a license?
Since June 1, 2014 a provider based outside Alabama must keep at least one licensed physical location in Alabama. Once it has one, it may serve Alabama customers from out-of-state branches registered with the board under an out-of-state designation, and the Alabama location answers for them.
- Covers out-of-state suppliers
- Requires a location in Alabama
Citation: Ala. Admin. Code r. 473-X-3-.02 (Act 2014-172)
What does a Alabama DME license cost?
- Initial: $250 license fee plus a $500 inspection fee per new location; $1,000 to designate an out-of-state branch (as of October 2026)
- Renewal: $250 per year, plus $150 if renewed in the 60 days after August 31 (as of October 2026)
Citation: Ala. Admin. Code r. 473-X-8-.01; Board initial and out-of-state designation applications
How often does a Alabama DME license renew?
- Renews every year
- Due August 31
Who must be on staff at a licensed Alabama location?
Each application names a person in charge of day-to-day operations at the physical location, and a change of that person is reported within 30 days. Staff must be trained to set up equipment and instruct patients.
Citation: Ala. Admin. Code r. 473-X-3-.01(7)(b), (8)(b), (11)
Does Medicare accreditation count in Alabama?
None. The statute says accreditation by The Joint Commission, CHAP or other accrediting bodies does not substitute for compliance, and the board inspects every new location.
Citation: Code of Ala. 1975, 34-14C-4(c), (f)
Which product licenses can apply in Alabama?
- Alabama Board of Pharmacy oxygen permit, when oxygen is supplied
What does Alabama Medicaid add for DME suppliers?
Alabama Medicaid DME providers must hold a current Alabama HME license or meet one of the statutory exemptions. When the in-state location rule took effect in 2014, providers without one were terminated from Medicaid.
- Alabama Medicaid Agency
Licensing in Alabama?
We confirm what Alabama requires for the products you sell, prepare the application and every attachment for your owner or officer to sign, and track it to a decision. A state DME license is $699 per state.
Sources
- outOfState
- license (no operation while pending), staffing, notes (notarized certification, insurance)
- license.summary (HME definition), notes (mail order company definition)
- productLicenses (pharmacy oxygen permit)
- fees.renewal, renewal
- fees.initial (license and inspection fees), productLicenses
- fees.initial (out-of-state designation fee), outOfState
- license.summary (34-14C-5 exemptions as amended by Act 2014-172, including mail order companies as defined by rule)
- accreditationInLieu (34-14C-4(c), (f))
- medicaid, outOfState (Act 2014-172)