Last Updated: April 2026
Getting your Kansas nursing license is manageable once you know where the administrative slowdowns usually happen. Practicing here offers access to major healthcare hubs like Kansas City, Wichita, and Topeka. Kansas is an active member of the Nurse Licensure Compact, which is excellent for mobility, but the part that catches people off guard is the manual background check process.Â
Kansas does not officially designate a single digital fingerprint vendor for out-of-state applicants. Instead, out-of-state nurses must mail physical fingerprint cards along with an exact date-matching waiver and a paper check. This guide helps you navigate these strict requirements so you can secure your license without unnecessary delays.Â
As a dedicated service for clinicians taking future assignments with Advantis Medical, our licensing experts provide 1-on-1 support to reduce stress and shorten processing times.
We’ll help you quickly get your KS license & connect you to top contracts in the state.Â
Our licensing specialists are your partners in navigating the complexities of state licensing so you can move forward with confidence. From understanding state requirements to submitting documentation, our team works closely with you to keep the process simple, organized, and efficient.
 Landon State Office Building, 900 SW Jackson Street, Suite 1051, Topeka, KS 66612-1230Â
Applicants must submit an original physical FBI FD-258 fingerprint card using the Board’s specific routing information: ORI Number: KS920150Z.
Mail your fingerprint card, a mandatory signed Waiver Agreement, and a $57 fee (payable only by physical check or money order) directly to the Board. The signature date on your waiver must exactly match the date your fingerprints were rolled, or your submission will be rejected. In-state applicants have the unique option to walk into the Board’s Topeka office without an appointment to complete a Live Scan for an additional $7.50 fee.Â
Licensure by Endorsement: $100 (Single-State) / $125 (Multistate)Â
Licensure by Examination: $100 (Single-State) / $125 (Multistate)Â
RN and LPN License Renewal: $85Â
Reinstatement Fee: $150Â
Fingerprinting Processing: $57Â
Fees vary and are subject to change. Always verify the most current pricing directly with the Board of Nursing.
Your specific expiration year depends on your birth year. If you were born in an odd-numbered year, you renew in odd-numbered years. If you were born in an even-numbered year, your renewal occurs in even-numbered years. Kansas offers no grace period.
You must complete 30 contact hours of approved continuing nursing education (CNE) during your two-year renewal period. Kansas provides a few specific exceptions to this rule:Â
If you already hold a license in another state, you can apply for a Kansas nursing license by endorsement to transfer your credentials without retaking the NCLEX.Â
Nurses relocating to Kansas from another compact state may practice on their former multistate license while establishing residency. You must apply for a Kansas license within 60 days of your move. To convert to a Kansas multistate license, you must provide proof of your new primary state of residence, such as a Kansas driver’s license.Â
Monitor your portal dashboard for document updates until the permanent license is issued.Â
New graduates must apply via examination and pass the NCLEX to receive their initial Kansas RN license.Â
Application Fee:$100 (Single-State) / $125 (Multistate)
NCLEX Exam Fee:Â $200Â
Kansas is a highly compact-friendly destination for travel nurses, with major systems like The University of Kansas Health System and Ascension Via Christi driving steady demand. Travelers holding an active multistate license from another compact state can begin working immediately.Â
If you are entering from a non-compact state, the step that slows most applicants down is the manual background check process. Because Kansas relies on physical fingerprint cards and paper checks for out-of-state nurses, onboarding timelines are often extended compared to fully digital states. After submitting your application, allow 7–10 business days to pass before logging in to check your status. Once your licensing is in place, browse our travel nursing jobs in Kansas to see available contracts across KS. Â
Pro Tip for Travelers
Kansas fingerprinting is one of the most state-specific parts of this process. Before you mail the packet, check that the fingerprint date and waiver date match exactly, the fee is included, and the prints are not older than 6 months.
Explore our travel nurse jobs in Kansas to find your next great assignment.
Kansas is an active member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), allowing nurses with a multistate license from another participating state to practice in Kansas without applying for a separate license if their primary state of residence remains elsewhere.
Kansas requires 30 contact hours of approved continuing nursing education (CNE) every two years, though this requirement is waived if your license expires within 30 months of passing your initial NCLEX.
Kansas nursing licenses expire on the last day of your birth month in odd or even years that correspond to the parity of your birth year.
Out-of-state applicants must mail a physical FBI FD-258 fingerprint card using ORI number KS920150Z, ensuring the signature date on the Waiver Agreement exactly matches the date fingerprints were rolled to avoid immediate rejection.
The initial endorsement application fee is $100 for a single-state license and $125 for a multistate license, plus a mandatory $57 fingerprint processing fee and an $85 biennial renewal fee.
Kansas may issue a discretionary temporary permit valid for up to 120 days to endorsement applicants, typically restricted to those applying for a single-state license and carrying no additional fee.Â
Processing times vary, but the Board typically takes 7 to 10 business days to set up an initial application in the portal before the manual background check and transcript verification process begins.
Advantis Medical helps you leverage your license with 4,000+ high-paying travel nurse jobs & fast starts —trusted by thousands and backed by 700+ 5-star reviews.
