Kansas Nurse Practitioner License Requirements 2026
The Kansas State Board of Nursing licenses APRNs in four roles: nurse practitioner, certified nurse midwife, clinical nurse specialist, and certified registered nurse anesthetist. All roles require a master’s degree and an active Kansas RN license. Kansas grants APRNs full practice authority, meaning they can evaluate, diagnose, and treat patients without ongoing physician oversight.
Sponsored School(s)
Kansas takes a different approach to advanced practice nursing than most states. Certification is required only for nurse anesthetists. The other three APRN roles, including nurse practitioners, can be licensed without national certification, though recognized credentials are accepted as evidence of meeting educational standards. All four roles are administered through the Kansas State Board of Nursing and require an active Kansas RN license before or alongside the APRN application.
Use the links below to jump to education requirements, application steps, renewal information, and contacts for the Kansas APRN license.
- Meet the education requirements.
- Review certification options by role
- Understand the Kansas APRN scope of practice
- Apply for your Kansas APRN license
- Get a temporary permit
- Renew your APRN license
- Find contacts and professional resources
Education Requirements
All APRN applicants must complete a formal, post-basic nursing education program. Except for nurse midwives, a master’s degree or higher is required. All prospective APRNs must include a three-credit-hour course in advanced pharmacology as part of their program. Nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists must also complete three-credit courses in advanced pathophysiology and advanced health assessment.
The Kansas State Board of Nursing must approve programs. The Board maintains a list of approved graduate nursing programs on its website, searchable under graduate nursing school listings. Out-of-state programs are evaluated at the time of application against the same Board approval standards that apply to in-state programs.
Transitional provisions apply to applicants who completed their education in earlier years. The master’s degree requirement does not apply to those who completed their degrees by July 1, 2002. Clinical nurse specialists and nurse practitioners who finished programs after July 1, 1994, must show evidence of at least a baccalaureate degree. Nurse-midwives who completed programs after July 1, 200,0 face the same baccalaureate threshold.
Kansas updated its clinical hours requirements in 2025. Students who started an advanced practice program before March 1, 2025, must complete at least 500 clinical hours per track. Students starting on or after March 1, 202,5 must complete at least 750 hours. The Board has overlap provisions for students enrolled in multi-track programs. Confirm current requirements directly with the Board or your program, as these standards are subject to further revision.
For a list of approved programs, see Nurse Practitioner programs in Kansas.
Certification Requirements by Role
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs)
CRNAs must obtain certification through the National Board on Certification and Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA) before the Board will issue a license. CRNAs are also required to carry professional liability insurance. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing notes that CRNAs are the only APRN specialty in Kansas for which independent practice is specifically tied to a national certification requirement.
Nurse Practitioners, Nurse Midwives, and Clinical Nurse Specialists
Kansas does not require national certification for nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, or clinical nurse specialists as a condition of initial licensure. This places Kansas in a minority among U.S. states, most of which tie APRN licensure directly to a certification exam. Kansas licenses based on education: if an applicant’s program meets Board standards, that is sufficient.
Board regulations also permit licensure based on certification for those who hold credentials from a recognized organization. The following certifications are currently accepted:
| Certifying Organization | Credentials Accepted | Role |
|---|---|---|
| American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) | Acute Care NP-BC, Adult NP-BC, Family NP-BC, Gerontological NP-BC, Pediatric NP-BC, Psychiatric/Mental Health NP-BC | NP |
| American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) | Adult Health CNS-BC, Gerontology CNS-BC, Psychiatric/Mental Health CNS-BC, Public/Community Health CNS-BC | CNS |
| American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) | Acute Care NP, Acute/Critical Care CNS | NP, CNS |
| American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) | Adult NP-C, Family NP-C, Gerontologic NP-C | NP |
| Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB) | Acute Care Pediatric NP, Primary Care Pediatric NP | NP |
| National Certification Corporation (NCC) | Neonatal NP, Women’s Health NP | NP |
| American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) | Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM) | CNM |
Credential names and accepted certifications are subject to change. Confirm the current accepted list against the latest KSBN APRN application materials before applying.
Applicants can also request that the Board consider a certification not on the approved list. The Board will evaluate whether the certifying organization’s standards are equivalent to Kansas requirements.
Scope of Practice in Kansas
Kansas is a full practice authority state for APRNs. Nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, and clinical nurse specialists can evaluate patients, order and interpret diagnostic tests, initiate and manage treatments, and prescribe medications under the exclusive authority of the Kansas State Board of Nursing. No collaborative or supervisory agreement with a physician is required.
For NPs specifically, this means entering direct clinical practice without a practice agreement, which is a requirement in many other states. CRNAs operate within their own scope, defined by their certification requirements and liability insurance mandates. Full practice authority makes Kansas one of the more straightforward states for NPs and CNSs establishing an independent practice.
Application Process
All APRN applicants must complete a fingerprint-based background check using fingerprint cards supplied by the Board. Fingerprints can be taken at any law enforcement agency in the country. The completed fingerprint card and waiver form must be mailed directly from that agency to the Board. Fingerprints can also be taken at the Board’s Topeka office. If an applicant had fingerprints processed for RN licensure within the previous six months, the Board may waive this step.
The APRN application packet is available through the Kansas State Board of Nursing. The Board requires official transcripts with each application. CRNA applicants must also provide documentation verifying they passed the required certification exam. All application materials must be mailed to the Board’s Topeka office.
Application fees vary by role. Verify current amounts directly with the Kansas State Board of Nursing before submitting, as fees are subject to change. Out-of-state applicants must submit both an RN endorsement application and an APRN application. Education completed in another state is evaluated against Kansas standards. If comparable, the Board accepts it.
Applicants who trained outside the United States should call the Board at (785) 296-4929 for guidance on documentation requirements.
Temporary Permits
The Board may issue a temporary permit when an applicant is waiting for academic credentials to be reviewed, for a degree to be posted on a transcript, or for an RN endorsement to be cleared. CRNAs can also receive a temporary permit to practice while certification is pending. The Board notes that a temporary permit does not guarantee full licensure. Applicants with a disciplinary or criminal history may be denied a temporary permit.
APRN Renewal
Kansas APRN licenses renew automatically with the RN license renewal. All nursing licensees must complete 30 hours of continuing education per renewal cycle. APRNs must complete those hours at the advanced practice level. General RN continuing education does not satisfy the advanced practice CE requirement. A renewal fee applies. Verify the current amount with the Board, as fees are subject to periodic adjustment.
Contacts and Resources
The Kansas State Board of Nursing handles all APRN licensing inquiries. The Board can be reached through its online contact form or by phone at (785) 296-4929.
Professional organizations for Kansas advanced practice nurses include Kansas Advanced Practice Nurses and the Kansas Affiliate of the American College of Nurse-Midwives.
Find nursing licensure requirements by state for RNs, LPNs, LVNs, and advanced practice nurses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Kansas require national certification for nurse practitioners?
No. Kansas licenses NPs and most other APRNs based on education rather than certification. As long as an applicant’s program meets Board standards, national certification is not required. Nurse anesthetists are the exception: CRNAs must be certified by the NBCRNA before the Board will issue a license.
Is Kansas a Nurse Licensure Compact state?
Yes. Kansas joined the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC) on July 1, 2019. The compact applies to RN and LPN/LVN licenses, allowing Kansas nurses to hold a multistate license valid in other compact states. The eNLC does not cover APRN licenses, which remain a separate state authorization. A Kansas APRN must hold an active Kansas RN license or a valid multistate NLC license to apply.
What is the application fee for a Kansas APRN license?
Application fees vary by role and are subject to change. Verify all current amounts directly with the Kansas State Board of Nursing before submitting your application.
Can Kansas APRNs prescribe medications independently?
Yes. Kansas grants full practice authority to APRNs. NPs, CNMs, and CNSs can prescribe medications without a collaborative agreement with a physician. CRNAs have their own scope defined under their certification and licensing requirements. No state-level prescriptive authority agreement is required beyond applicable federal DEA registration.
How many continuing education hours are required for APRN renewal?
Kansas requires 30 hours of continuing education per renewal cycle for all nursing licensees. APRNs must complete all 30 hours at the advanced practice level. General RN continuing education does not satisfy this requirement. APRN licenses in Kansas renew automatically with the RN license renewal.
Key Takeaways
- Four APRN roles, one licensing body — The Kansas State Board of Nursing licenses nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, clinical nurse specialists, and certified registered nurse anesthetists.
- Certification required for CRNAs only — NPs, CNMs, and CNSs are licensed based on education. Only nurse anesthetists must hold NBCRNA certification before licensure.
- Full practice authority state — Kansas APRNs can evaluate, diagnose, treat, and prescribe independently. No physician oversight or collaborative agreement is required for NPs, CNMs, or CNSs.
- Kansas is an NLC member state — Kansas joined the eNLC on July 1, 2019. The compact covers RN and LPN licenses. APRN licenses are a separate state authorization requiring an active Kansas RN license.
- 30 CE hours per renewal cycle — APRNs must complete all continuing education at the advanced practice level. General nursing CE does not satisfy this requirement.
Find approved APRN and nurse practitioner programs in Kansas, along with application links and licensure information for your specialty.