Registered Nurse / Kansas
2026 data Kansas board official source

Kansas Registered Nurse License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

State-board requirements, fees, and renewal cycle drawn from official regulator records.

PlainCredential home → About this data

Provides patient care, administers medications, and coordinates with physicians. Requires NCLEX-RN exam.

What the Kansas data shows for Registered Nurses

Kansas sets the entry bar for registered nurses at 2,176 training hours and a passing score on NCLEX-RN. 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 "Associate or Bachelor of Science in Nursing".

Budget $60 to get started, plus $60 at each renewal on a 2-year cycle; processing typically runs about 3 weeks once your application is complete. Maintaining the license requires 30 hours of continuing education per 2-year cycle, an ongoing cost applicants often underestimate when budgeting the career.

On reciprocity, registered nurses should know: NLC Compact: 41 states allow multistate practice.

Licensing Ease Score

C-
Licensing Ease Score
51/100
Registered Nurse · 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
2,176 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee D
$106
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden B-
$36/yr
$72 every 2 years
Continuing Education F
15.0 hrs/yr
30 hours every 2 years
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Kansas

Education / Training Hours
Associate or Bachelor of Science in Nursing
2,176 hours
Exam Requirement
NCLEX-RN
Required
Initial License Fee
$106
Renewal Fee
$72
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Processing Time
After complete application submitted
3 wks
Continuing Education
30 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years
Compare fees across all states for Registered Nurse →

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Registered Nurse 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 Registered Nurse in Kansas? ▼
Kansas's requirements cover 2176 hours of education or training, the NCLEX-RN exam, and an initial fee of $106. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as a Registered Nurse in Kansas? ▼
Certification as a registered nurse in Kansas means clearing the state's checklist: 2176 hours of education, and a passing exam score. The Kansas licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Registered Nurse license to Kansas from another state? ▼
For registered nurses, the reciprocity landscape looks like this: NLC Compact: 41 states allow multistate practice. Many professions are also covered by interstate licensing compacts that facilitate portability between states. Contact the Kansas licensing board to confirm how it applies to your specific credential.
Does Kansas require a background check for Registered Nurse licensing? ▼
Yes, Kansas requires a criminal background check as part of the registered nurse licensing process. Disqualifying offenses and review criteria are determined by the state licensing board.
What are the continuing education requirements for Registered Nurse in Kansas? ▼
Kansas ties continued registered nurse licensure to 30 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $72 renewal fee.
How much does it cost to get a Registered Nurse license in Kansas? ▼
The initial licensing fee in Kansas is $60. The renewal fee is $60 every 2 years. Processing typically takes 3 weeks after submitting your complete application.
How long does Registered Nurse license processing take in Kansas? ▼
In Kansas, license processing for registered nurses typically takes approximately 3 weeks after your complete application is submitted. Processing times may vary based on application volume and completeness of documentation.

Related Guides

What to do with this registered nurse license

Registered Nurse in Kansas, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a registered nurse-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how Kansas's registered nurse requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Registered Nurse in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state registered nurse 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.