Kansas requires 30 hours of approved Continuing Nursing Education per renewal cycle and offers no grace period for late renewals — if you miss the deadline by even one day, you must reinstate your license. Kansas is a Nurse Licensure Compact member state. Here's your complete guide.
Kansas RN License Renewal Requirements Overview
The Kansas State Board of Nursing requires all nurses to complete 30 hours of approved Continuing Nursing Education (CNE) every 2 years. CNE must be approved or accredited by a state Board of Nursing or a nationally recognized nursing organization such as ANCC or AANA.
Kansas is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) member state, allowing nurses with a multistate license to practice across all compact states without obtaining additional licenses.
What Is Required for Renewal?
For RNs:
- 30 CNE hours per 2-year renewal cycle
- CNE must be from providers approved by a state Board of Nursing or a nationally recognized nursing organization
- Renewal fee: $85
For LPNs:
- 30 CNE hours per 2-year renewal cycle
- Renewal fee: $85
For APRNs:
- 30 CNE hours per 2-year renewal cycle, all at the level of the APRN role (NP, CNS, NMS, or CRNA)
- General nursing CE will not satisfy APRN renewal requirements
- APRN license renews automatically with the RN license renewal
- Renewal fee: $60 for APRN (in addition to $85 RN renewal fee)
Important Renewal Dates
- Deadline: Last day of the nurse's birth month, biennially (odd or even years based on birth year)
- Renewal window: Opens 90 days before the expiration date
- No grace period: If the application is even one day late, the license lapses and full reinstatement is required
Step-by-Step: How to Renew Your Kansas Nursing License
- Log in to the KSBN online renewal portal. Visit ksbn.kansas.gov to access your renewal application. The renewal window opens 90 days before your expiration date.
- Select your license type (RN, LPN, or APRN) and begin the renewal application.
- Attest to completing 30 hours of approved CNE. APRNs must submit proof that all 30 hours are at their specific APRN role level.
- Pay the renewal fee. $85 for RN/LPN, $60 for APRN (in addition to RN fee), via the online portal.
- Retain CE documentation as the KSBN may conduct audits to verify compliance.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Missing the deadline by even one day. Kansas has no grace period. If your renewal is late, your license lapses and you must go through the reinstatement process, which is more costly and time-consuming.
- APRNs using general nursing CE. All 30 APRN hours must be at the level of your specific role (NP, CNS, NMS, or CRNA). General nursing CE courses will not count.
- Using non-approved CE providers. Kansas only accepts CNE approved by a state Board of Nursing or nationally recognized nursing organizations like ANCC or AANA. Verify provider approval before enrolling.
- Forgetting your birth month deadline. Your renewal date is tied to the last day of your birth month, not a fixed calendar date. Each nurse has a different deadline.
Tips for a Smooth Renewal
- Mark your 90-day window. The renewal portal opens 90 days before your deadline. Set a calendar reminder for this date and renew as soon as possible.
- Verify CE provider approval. Before enrolling in any course, confirm it is approved by KSBN, another state Board of Nursing, ANCC, AANA, or another recognized organization.
- Use NLC benefits. As a compact state, your Kansas multistate license lets you practice in other NLC states without extra licenses — ideal for travel nursing or telehealth.
- Never risk a lapse. With no grace period, timely renewal is critical. RenewRN sends reminders at 90, 60, 30, 7, and 1 day before your license expires so you can renew on time every cycle.
Track Your Kansas License with RenewRN
Kansas's strict no-grace-period policy makes timely renewal essential. RenewRN tracks your CE progress, sends timely reminders tied to your birth month deadline, and helps you avoid the costly reinstatement process.