State of Kansas
Kansas.
Updated 2026
Contact hours
For RN renewal, every 2 years
30
Mandatory topics
For RN renewal, topics
0
Online CE
For RN renewal, fully accepted
Yes
¶ Kansas requires registered nurses to complete 30 contact hours of continuing education every 2 years to maintain an active license. Newly licensed nurses are exempt from CE requirements for their first renewal period.
Nursing in Kansas.
Kansas has approximately 48,000 licensed registered nurses serving a population of 2.9 million. The University of Kansas Health System in Kansas City is the largest employer, while Wichita serves as a secondary healthcare hub. Kansas faces nursing shortages in its western rural counties, where some communities lack any local healthcare providers.
Kansas requires 30 contact hours of continuing education every two years for RN license renewal. The state accepts CE from providers approved by the Kansas State Board of Nursing and national nursing accrediting bodies. Kansas does not mandate specific course topics, allowing nurses flexibility in their education choices.
Common practice settings
University of Kansas Health System
The academic medical center is the state's only NCI-designated cancer center and largest employer.
Rural Critical Access
Western Kansas critical access hospitals serve agricultural communities with limited healthcare resources.
Aviation Industry Health
Wichita's aerospace manufacturing sector creates demand for occupational health nursing.
Renewal tips
01
Complete 30 contact hours before your renewal deadline.
02
Use Board-approved or nationally accredited CE providers.
03
Keep CE certificates for at least 5 years.
04
Consider rural health topics if practicing in underserved areas.
The Nurse Licensure Compact in Kansas
Kansas is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact. Nurses in Kansas City can benefit from this when working across the state line in Missouri, and western Kansas nurses may practice in neighboring Colorado or Nebraska.
Read the compact license guide→The requirements, by license
Every license type,side by side.
Hours, cycles, mandatory topics, exemptions. Switch between RN, LPN, APRN and the four advanced-practice specialties.
License
RN
Registered nurse.
Contact hours
30
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
No mandatory topics for RN renewal.
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial licensure
Notes
- Courses must relate to nursing practice.
License
LPN
LPN / LVN.
Contact hours
30
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
No mandatory topics for LPN renewal.
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial licensure
Notes
- Courses must relate to nursing practice.
License
APRN
APRN, general.
Contact hours
30
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
Advanced Pharmacology For prescriptive authority holders | 10h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial certification
Notes
- Prescribers need pharmacology CE.
Additional requirements
License
NP
Nurse practitioner.
Contact hours
30
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
Advanced Pharmacology For prescriptive authority holders | 10h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial certification
Notes
- Prescribers need pharmacology CE.
Additional requirements
License
CNS
Clinical nurse specialist.
Contact hours
30
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
Advanced Pharmacology For prescriptive authority holders | 10h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial certification
Notes
- Prescribers need pharmacology CE.
Additional requirements
License
CNM
Certified nurse-midwife.
Contact hours
30
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
Advanced Pharmacology For prescriptive authority holders | 10h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial certification
Notes
- Prescribers need pharmacology CE.
Additional requirements
License
CRNA
Nurse anesthetist.
Contact hours
30
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
Advanced Pharmacology For prescriptive authority holders | 10h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial certification
Notes
- Prescribers need pharmacology CE.
Additional requirements
In context. Kansas requires 30 contact hours every 2 years for RN license renewal. Compared with neighbors, Nebraska requires fewer (20 hours), while Missouri has no general CE requirement. As a Nurse Licensure Compact state, Kansas allows nurses to practice across state lines with a multistate license.
Continue.
Verify with the source
Kansas State Board of Nursing.
Verify before relying on this