Optometrist / Kansas
2026 data Kansas board official source

Kansas Optometrist License Requirements

Compiled from official source data by PlainCredential

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 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

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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

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

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