<p>Alphonse can always do alchemy, throughout the whole show. The only times he cannot perform alchemy are the same times that Edward cannot;</p>

<blockquote class="spoiler">
  <p> When Homunculus uses his ability to seal off alchemy temporarily.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Now, in the beginning of the show, he does not perform alchemy often because he needs to draw transmutation circles to be able to. Drawing transmutation circles takes time, and is not often practical in fights or other scenarios that need quickness, especially if he does not know the proper circle (they can perform more basic transmutation simply, and both Al and Ed are geniuses, but they are still shown studying often). He is however, shown transmuting items throughout the show, both before and after</p>

<blockquote class="spoiler">
  <p> gaining the ability to transmute without a circle, like Ed does.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>In fact, Alphonse has a particular ability (at least in the Anime) that no other alchemist is shown to have. He can transmute without physically touching the transmutation circle.</p>

<p><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/TUkoD.jpg" alt="Transmutation without touching the circle"></p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-07-03T03:53:22.417Z
@Ktash, I know your comment more than a year ago, but can I draw your attention to my question, regarding the blood on Al's seal? http://anime.stackexchange.com/questions/11524/how-did-alphonse-recover-his-pre-gate-memories?noredirect=1#comment14241_11524
Eric Wu
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-05-06T18:37:45.150Z
Isn't it because Alphonse forgot the time that he was dragged into the door, so he wasn't able to use alchemy without transmutation circle?
nhahtdh
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-05-07T22:44:35.970Z
Yes, he wasn't able to use transmutation without creating a circle because he didn't remember seeing Truth. When blood is spilled onto his seal, it allows him to remember truth, and from that point on, he can transmute without drawing a circle.
LoveAndCoding
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-05-05T23:18:09.000Z
2013-05-05T23:18:09.000Z
LoveAndCoding
<p>The first part of the question has been answered so I will concentrate on the State Alchemist portion. Alphonse wanted to be a State Alchemist along with his brother but Ed talked him out of it. The main reason was that being a State Alchemist is equivalent to joining the army. It means you have a commanding officer, you follow orders, and you go fight when and where you are told. As Ed told Al, "only one of us has to carry that burden". </p>

<p>Plus there is the issue of a health screening, and seeing as how Al is just a hollow suit of armor, their secret would be immediately blown.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-05-07T22:47:05.383Z
These events are from the first anime, and do not actually occur in the manga, nor the second series. The reason Alphonse didn't become a State Alchemist is never revealed. Colonel Mustang comes to convince Ed to join up, and then Ed goes and does it. Al isn't ever mentioned in relation to becoming a State Alchemist. So, this is probably non-canon.
LoveAndCoding
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-05-09T02:20:48.887Z
I just looked back in the manga. In the third chapter when they are at the Youswell coal mine, Al asks Ed if he should become a state alchemist, and Ed gives the reply that I mentioned above. So the events do in fact occur in the manga.
schwert
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-05-09T02:23:40.370Z
Interesting. I stand corrected then :)
LoveAndCoding
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-05-06T00:04:03.557Z
2013-05-06T00:04:03.557Z
schwert
<p>For Alphonse who is not a State Alchemist, since he did not actually apply to be an State Alchemist. It's a kind of job where you have to get certified, by apply and pass some tests.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-05-05T22:51:07.220Z
2013-05-05T22:53:30.960Z
2013-05-05T22:53:30.960Z
Smar
<p>I have two theories</p>

<ul>
<li>He either is a state alchemist and it is never spelled out or</li>
<li>He didn't want to follow orders and become a "dog", and since Ed joined he really didn't have to so he just didn't.
I have not seen the entire series yet, so please tell me if there are problems with my ideas.</li>
</ul>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-03-10T18:00:49.250Z
2018-03-10T18:00:49.250Z
Heath
<p>I do believe that Alphonses special transmutation(which only happens the once in Liore) has to do with him seeing the Truth jist not knowing about it, it also more likely that the creator had not finalized the transmutation process before she started the series and quickly quickly fixes it.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-11-24T12:27:25.520Z
2019-11-24T12:27:25.520Z
Jade Lynn
<p>In <em>Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood</em>, how come Alphonse can sometimes perform alchemy, and at other times it seems he can't? Also, early on the show, wasn't it said that he lost his ability when he lost his body? And if he can do alchemy, why isn't he a state alchemist too?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-05-05T22:43:55.207Z
When can't he perform alchemy? Can you give some examples?
Cattua
<fullmetal-alchemist-series><fullmetal-alchemist-brotherhood>
How come Alphonse can do alchemy in Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood?
# How come Alphonse can do alchemy in Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood?
Posted by: username_0 on 2013-05-05
In *Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood*, how come Alphonse can sometimes perform alchemy, and at other times it seems he can't? Also, early on the show, wasn't it said that he lost his ability when he lost his body? And if he can do alchemy, why isn't he a state alchemist too?
**Tags:** fullmetal-alchemist-series fullmetal-alchemist-brotherhood
> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: When can't he perform alchemy? Can you give some examples?  
---
## 5 answers
### Answer by username_2 on 2013-05-05. Score: 21
Alphonse can always do alchemy, throughout the whole show. The only times he cannot perform alchemy are the same times that Edward cannot;

> When Homunculus uses his ability to seal off alchemy temporarily.

Now, in the beginning of the show, he does not perform alchemy often because he needs to draw transmutation circles to be able to. Drawing transmutation circles takes time, and is not often practical in fights or other scenarios that need quickness, especially if he does not know the proper circle (they can perform more basic transmutation simply, and both Al and Ed are geniuses, but they are still shown studying often). He is however, shown transmuting items throughout the show, both before and after

> gaining the ability to transmute without a circle, like Ed does.

In fact, Alphonse has a particular ability (at least in the Anime) that no other alchemist is shown to have. He can transmute without physically touching the transmutation circle.

![Transmutation without touching the circle](https://i.sstatic.net/TUkoD.jpg)
> **Comments:**
> **username_4** (2013-05-06): Isn't it because Alphonse forgot the time that he was dragged into the door, so he wasn't able to use alchemy without transmutation circle?  
> **username_2** (2013-05-07): Yes, he wasn't able to use transmutation without creating a circle because he didn't remember seeing Truth. When blood is spilled onto his seal, it allows him to remember truth, and from that point on, he can transmute without drawing a circle.  
> **username_3** (2014-07-03): @Ktash, I know your comment more than a year ago, but can I draw your attention to my question, regarding the blood on Al's seal? http://anime.stackexchange.com/questions/11524/how-did-alphonse-recover-his-pre-gate-memories?noredirect=1#comment14241_11524  
---
### Answer by username_5 on 2013-05-06. Score: 7
The first part of the question has been answered so I will concentrate on the State Alchemist portion. Alphonse wanted to be a State Alchemist along with his brother but Ed talked him out of it. The main reason was that being a State Alchemist is equivalent to joining the army. It means you have a commanding officer, you follow orders, and you go fight when and where you are told. As Ed told Al, "only one of us has to carry that burden".

Plus there is the issue of a health screening, and seeing as how Al is just a hollow suit of armor, their secret would be immediately blown.
> **Comments:**
> **username_2** (2013-05-07): These events are from the first anime, and do not actually occur in the manga, nor the second series. The reason Alphonse didn't become a State Alchemist is never revealed. Colonel Mustang comes to convince Ed to join up, and then Ed goes and does it. Al isn't ever mentioned in relation to becoming a State Alchemist. So, this is probably non-canon.  
> **username_5** (2013-05-09): I just looked back in the manga. In the third chapter when they are at the Youswell coal mine, Al asks Ed if he should become a state alchemist, and Ed gives the reply that I mentioned above. So the events do in fact occur in the manga.  
> **username_2** (2013-05-09): Interesting. I stand corrected then :)  
---
### Answer by username_6 on 2013-05-05. Score: 4
For Alphonse who is not a State Alchemist, since he did not actually apply to be an State Alchemist. It's a kind of job where you have to get certified, by apply and pass some tests.
---
### Answer by username_7 on 2018-03-10. Score: -1
I have two theories

* He either is a state alchemist and it is never spelled out or
* He didn't want to follow orders and become a "dog", and since Ed joined he really didn't have to so he just didn't.
  I have not seen the entire series yet, so please tell me if there are problems with my ideas.
---
### Answer by username_8 on 2019-11-24. Score: -2
I do believe that Alphonses special transmutation(which only happens the once in Liore) has to do with him seeing the Truth jist not knowing about it, it also more likely that the creator had not finalized the transmutation process before she started the series and quickly quickly fixes it.
---
