Nursing License Requirements in Kansas 2026
The Kansas State Board of Nursing licenses both registered nurses and licensed practical nurses. All applicants must complete a board-approved program and pass the NCLEX. RNs take the NCLEX-RN. LPNs take the NCLEX-PN. Kansas joined the Nurse Licensure Compact in 2019, making a Kansas license valid in other NLC member states without a separate application.
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The Kansas State Board of Nursing sets education, examination, and character requirements for initial licensure, endorsement from other states, and renewal. This page covers requirements for licensed practical nurses and registered nurses. For certified nurse aide requirements, see CNA requirements in Kansas. For advanced practice nursing, see APRN requirements in Kansas.
All LPN and RN applicants must demonstrate good character and professional responsibility. The Kansas Board requires disclosure of any disciplinary actions taken by any government agency, not just boards of nursing. This includes suspended or revoked driver’s licenses.
Use the links below to jump to LPN or RN requirements, compact licensure, endorsement, renewal, and nursing resources.
- LPN requirements in Kansas
- RN license requirements in Kansas
- Compact licensure and the NLC
- Endorsement and out-of-state licensure
- License renewal in Kansas
- Nursing resources and organizations
LPN Requirements in Kansas
Education Requirements
The foundation for a practical nursing license in Kansas is completion of a board-approved practical nursing program. Kansas programs include at least 30 credit hours of core nursing coursework, plus seven hours of support coursework in human growth and development and anatomy and physiology. Graduates are eligible to apply for a Kansas license and sit for the NCLEX-PN.
Kansas maintains a statewide articulation plan designed to make it easier for nurses to continue their education and advance to higher levels of licensure. LPNs who want to move into an RN role have multiple program pathways to choose from. For guidance on selecting a program, see LPN programs in Kansas. For an overview of the role and career outlook, see becoming an LPN in Kansas.
LPN Application Process
The application process involves two separate submissions: one to the Kansas Board of Nursing and one to Pearson VUE, which administers the NCLEX-PN. The Board application fee is $50, and the NCLEX-PN fee is $200. Both amounts are subject to change, so confirm current fees on the KSBN fee schedule before applying.
Before submitting, candidates must have fingerprints taken and include a passport-style photo with the application. The fingerprint background check takes approximately one month to process. Once the Board authorizes the candidate, they can schedule the exam directly at a Pearson VUE testing center.
Students who haven’t yet received their final transcript can still be authorized to test. A program director can sign a form confirming the candidate has completed all requirements or is expected to do so shortly. Once authorized, graduates must take and pass the NCLEX-PN within the Board’s required timeframe. A petition to test is required for candidates who exceed that window. Confirm the current testing deadline with the Kansas Board when applying.
LPNs must apply separately for IV therapy authorization. A board-approved IV certification course is required. IV authority is not granted automatically at initial licensure.
RN License Requirements in Kansas
Education Requirements
RN candidates must complete a board-approved nursing program that includes a clinical component. Kansas accepts both ADN (associate degree in nursing) and BSN (bachelor of science in nursing) graduates for initial RN licensure. Excelsior College graduates should contact the Board directly, as their applications are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
For guidance on selecting a program, see RN programs in Kansas. To explore career settings and pathways once licensed, see RN career paths in Kansas.
RN Application Process
License applications are available on the Kansas Board of Nursing website. Official transcripts must be sent directly from the nursing program to the Board. The license will not be issued until they are received. The background check is also required and takes approximately one month to process. Candidates can have fingerprints taken at the Board of Nursing office or at another authorized location, and fees vary by provider. A processing fee accompanies the fingerprint card submission.
Candidates must also register separately with Pearson VUE to take the NCLEX-RN. The exam fee is $200. The Board can authorize a candidate to test before final transcripts are posted using a form on the KSBN website. Once authorized, the candidate schedules the exam at a Pearson VUE testing center of their choosing.
The Kansas Board also recommends reviewing the questions the Board has prepared to help students evaluate nursing programs before enrolling, covering factors such as delivery method, national accreditation, breadth of clinical experiences, and admission criteria. Current NCLEX pass rates by individual school are published on the KSBN website.
Compact Licensure: Kansas and the NLC
Kansas joined the enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC) on July 1, 2019. A Kansas nursing license is a multistate license valid in Kansas and other NLC member states, without a separate license application in each state. This applies to both RNs and LPNs who declare Kansas as their primary state of residency.
Nurses who live in Kansas and work across state lines, including through telehealth, benefit most from compact membership. If a nurse moves to another NLC member state, that state becomes the new primary state of residency, and the nurse must apply for a license there. The Kansas license then converts to a single-state license.
Endorsement and Out-of-State Licensure
LPN Endorsement
LPNs licensed in other states or U.S. territories can apply for a Kansas license by endorsement. The application fee is $50. Candidates must verify their current license. Depending on the issuing state, this is handled electronically or on paper. Nurses with a clean disciplinary and legal history can request a temporary permit, valid for 120 days, while the endorsement application is processed. Nurses with prior disciplinary action may not be eligible for a temporary permit while under review.
LPNs with IV certification from Ohio, Missouri, Mississippi, or Colorado may receive Kansas IV authority by providing a copy of their current license. This reciprocal arrangement is subject to change, so confirm the current qualifying states with the Kansas Board before relying on it. All others must complete a Kansas board-approved IV certification course. Vocational nurses who were licensed in Texas or California under a state-specific licensing exam rather than the NCLEX-PN must pass the NCLEX-PN before Kansas will issue a license.
RN Endorsement
RNs licensed in other U.S. jurisdictions apply for licensure in Kansas by endorsement. The application fee is $75. License verification is required. Nurses with no disciplinary history may request a temporary permit while the application is pending. Employers can verify a permit has been issued by faxing the Board directly. RNs who were licensed in another state through a distance-learning program that did not include the required clinical component may still be eligible if they meet the Board’s work experience requirements. Confirm current eligibility criteria with the Kansas Board before applying.
International Applicants
Nurses trained outside the United States must have their credentials evaluated through an approved evaluation service before the Board will consider their application. Applicants for whom English is not the primary language must submit TOEFL scores meeting the Kansas Board’s minimums. Confirm the current required scores with KSBN directly, as these requirements are subject to change. Applicants who completed their nursing program in English may be exempt. Confirm with the Board before applying.
License Renewal in Kansas
Kansas nursing licenses renew biennially. The expiration date falls on the last day of the nurse’s birth month, and the expiration year aligns with the nurse’s birth year. Nurses born in even-numbered years renew in even-numbered years. Nurses born in odd-numbered years renew in odd-numbered years.
Both RNs and LPNs must complete 30 contact hours of board-approved continuing nursing education (CNE) to renew their licenses. Hours must be earned during the current licensing period. The Kansas Board of Nursing website lists approved CNE providers and current renewal instructions. APRNs renew their APRN designation alongside their RN license and must submit proof of 30 CNE hours plus a renewal fee. Confirm the current APRN renewal fee on the KSBN fee schedule.
Nursing Resources in Kansas
The Kansas State Board of Nursing (KSBN) is the primary regulatory authority for nursing licensure in the state. Its website includes license application forms, current fee schedules, approved program lists, NCLEX pass rates by school, and continuing education provider information.
The Kansas State Nurses Association (KSNA) is the state professional nursing organization and an affiliate of the American Nurses Association. The Kansas Nurses Foundation (KNF), affiliated with KSNA, offers scholarship programs for nurses pursuing further education. Contact KNF or KSNA directly for current scholarship availability, as program details change annually.
The Kansas Nursing Service Scholarship, administered through the Kansas Board of Regents, provides awards to LPN and RN candidates who commit to one year of practice in Kansas following program completion.
Find nursing licensure requirements by state for RNs, LPNs, LVNs, and advanced practice nurses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kansas a compact state for nursing?
Yes. Kansas joined the enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC) on July 1, 2019. Both RNs and LPNs who declare Kansas as their primary state of residency hold a multistate license valid in other NLC member states without a separate application.
How long does it take to get a nursing license in Kansas?
The background check takes approximately one month to process. Once authorized to test, candidates can schedule their NCLEX exam and typically receive results within 48 hours. Total time from application submission to license issuance is generally four to six weeks, assuming no issues arise with the application.
What are the application and exam fees for nursing licensure in Kansas?
The Kansas Board of Nursing application fee is $50 for LPNs and $75 for RNs. The NCLEX exam fee, paid separately to Pearson VUE, is $200 for both the NCLEX-PN and NCLEX-RN. Fee amounts are subject to change, so confirm current costs on the KSBN fee schedule before applying.
What are the continuing education requirements to renew a Kansas nursing license?
Both RNs and LPNs must complete 30 contact hours of board-approved continuing nursing education to renew. Licenses renew biennially, with the expiration date tied to the nurse’s birth month and year.
Can an out-of-state nurse work in Kansas while waiting for endorsement?
Yes, in most cases. LPNs and RNs with clean disciplinary and legal histories may request a temporary permit valid for 120 days while their endorsement applications are under review. Nurses with prior disciplinary action may not be eligible for a temporary permit.
Key Takeaways
- Board-approved program required — Both LPNs and RNs must complete a KSBN-approved nursing program before applying for licensure.
- NCLEX is mandatory — LPNs take the NCLEX-PN. RNs take the NCLEX-RN. Pearson VUE administers both exams, and they must be passed within the Board’s required timeframe from authorization to test.
- Kansas is an NLC compact state — Kansas joined the eNLC in 2019. A Kansas license is valid in other NLC member states without a separate application.
- Renewal is biennial with 30 CE hours — Both RNs and LPNs renew every two years and must complete 30 hours of approved continuing nursing education each cycle.
- Endorsement is available for out-of-state nurses — LPNs pay $50, and RNs pay $75. A 120-day temporary permit is available for nurses with clean disciplinary histories.
Find Kansas Board of Nursing-approved RN and LPN programs, application links, and licensing resources for your area.