Optometrist / Kansas
2026 data Kansas board official source

Kansas Optometrist License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

What the state board actually requires: fees, renewal cycle, and requirements from official records.

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Examines eyes for vision defects and prescribes corrective lenses.

What the Kansas data shows for Optometrists

Kansas sets the entry bar for optometrists at 4,176 training hours and a passing score on NBEO Exam Series. A background check is a standard part of the process, and applicants must be 18 or older. The credential is administered under Kansas's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Doctor of Optometry (OD)".

Upfront cost is $150, with renewal running $132 on a 2-year cycle. Renewal isn't the end of the cost: 40 hours of continuing education are due every 2-year cycle, a recurring time commitment worth planning for.

For optometrists, the reciprocity picture is: Not part of compact — state-by-state endorsement.

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
37/100
Optometrist · Kansas

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training F
4,176 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$150
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden D
$66/yr
$132 every 2 years
Continuing Education F
20.0 hrs/yr
40 hours every 2 years
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Kansas

Education / Training Hours
Doctor of Optometry (OD)
4,176 hours
Exam Requirement
NBEO Exam Series
Required
Initial License Fee
$150
Renewal Fee
$132
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
40 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Optometrist All Kansas licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Kansas licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Optometrist in Kansas? ▼
Kansas's requirements cover 4176 hours of education or training, the NBEO Exam Series exam, and an initial fee of $150. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as an Optometrist in Kansas? ▼
Kansas licenses optometrists who complete its requirements (4176 education hours) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the Kansas licensing board.
Can I transfer my Optometrist license to Kansas from another state? ▼
Reciprocity for optometrists nationally works like this: Not part of compact — state-by-state endorsement. Beyond that baseline, interstate compacts exist for many professions and may smooth a transfer into Kansas. Verify the specifics with the Kansas licensing board.
Does Kansas require a background check for Optometrist licensing? ▼
Background screening is part of the optometrist licensing process in Kansas. The state licensing board determines which offenses disqualify an applicant and how appeals are handled.
What are the continuing education requirements for Optometrist in Kansas? ▼
Kansas ties continued optometrist licensure to 40 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $132 renewal fee.

Related Guides

What to do with this optometrist license

Optometrist in Kansas, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in an optometrist-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how Kansas's optometrist requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Optometrist in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state optometrist license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how Kansas's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Kansas overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Kansas licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.