Kansas Nurse Practitioner Licensure Steps - 2024

Nurse Practitioner Licensure Requirements in Kansas

Follow below to learn how to become a nurse practitioner (NP) in Kansas.

Initial Registered Nurse (RN) Licensure

Already have your RN License?  Skip to the next section

All applicants for an NP license, or any advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) license, must hold a valid RN license to practice in Kansas. Holders of multistate NLC licenses from one of the other member states do not need to apply for an RN license to practice in Kansas unless they are changing their primary state of residence.

There are two major routes of application: RN by Examination and RN by Endorsement.

RN by Examination

This is the preferred route for graduates of board-approved nursing programs from approved institutions. It is expected that those who apply via this route have never been licensed to practice as RNs in any other state or jurisdiction in the US.

• The minimum academic qualification for an RN is an associate’s degree. However, for prospective NPs, a bachelor’s degree might be a better option.
• The application process includes the submission of a correctly filled application form, payment of the prescribed fees, and provision of all required supporting documents. The process is done online, starting with opening an account here.  The application fee for a single state license is $100.
• All applicants are required to request that a copy of their transcripts be sent to the Kansas State Board of Nursing (KSBN) by the awarding institution, as only original copies in sealed envelopes are acceptable.
• All applicants are also required to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) for which one can register at PearsonVue for $200. You should register for the exam as closely as possible to send your application as the board will communicate to the exam vendors concerning your eligibility for the test.
• Foreign educated nurses are to have their credentials reviewed by the CGFNS and provide the resulting report. For those educated in a language other than the English Language, a language-proficiency test such as TOEFL is compulsory.

RN by Endorsement

This is the preferred route for holders of a valid single-state RN license issued in another state or jurisdiction. It is expected that those who choose this route have fulfilled the requirements for the issuance of an initial license by examination in their state. This means that they have taken and passed the NCLEX-RN or any equivalent entry exam for nurses after having graduated from an accredited nursing program.

• The application process is also completed online for a fee of $100.
• Applicants are required to provide supporting documents including verification of their valid license. This can be done using the Nursys platform as long as the board involved reports to Nursys. If they do not, you must communicate with your state board concerning the verification of licenses and how much they charge for it.
• You will also be required to request your transcript from your awarding institution as was spelled out in the preceding section.

All applicants must submit their fingerprints for a criminal background check. The capturing process can be completed with any authorized vendor wherever you are.

Contact a preferred vendor and confirm that they have the FD Form 258. Once you confirm that they do, you need to print the waiver agreement and fingerprint instructions. This document must be taken to the authorized vendor for your appointment.

If they do not have the specified card, you can download it from the KSBN website. The completed fingerprint card, completed waivers, and a money order or check for $48, made payable to KBSN must be mailed to the following address;

All fees are non-refundable and applicants are required to provide only correct information. If you prefer a multistate license, you must meet certain requirements in addition to those for the single state license as are specified here.

Advanced Education Requirement

All NPs are required to have gone through graduate-level nursing education which leads to the award of at least a master’s degree (MSN).

The program must include 3 credit hours each of advanced physiology, advanced pharmacology, and advanced health assessment. You should be equipped to practice effectively as an NP performing such roles as evaluating patients, making diagnoses, requesting tests, and prescribing medications. It is ideal for your program to prepare you to provide services to specific population foci.

National Certification

NPs are not mandated to obtain national certification to be licensed to practice in Kansas. However, certain NPs take the pain to do it to set themselves apart from their counterparts. Some employers only employ NPs who have national certification.

If you are interested, you might want to contact the national certifying agency that certifies NPs in your chosen specialty area. These certifications are mostly examination-based and are proof of the quality of your education and skills as an NP.

Getting Licensed to Practice as a Nurse Practitioner in Kansas

The board receives and processes applications for APRN licenses all year round. The license is the same one issued to all APRNs and the application for it is completed online for an application fee of $50. All APRN applicants are expected to have completed a graduate-level, board-approved nursing program awarding at least a master’s degree to successful participants. You will be required to request that a copy of your transcript be sent from your awarding institution to the board.

As all applicants are required to have a valid single-state RN license to practice in Kansas or a valid multistate license from an NLC member state, license verification is an important part of the licensure process.

You can process your license verification using the Nursys platform. You are also required to submit your fingerprints as was specified under the “initial RN License” section.