Kansas State Board of Nursing (KSBN) · RN

30 hours. Every two years. Tied to your license anniversary.

Below is exactly what Kansas State Board of Nursing (KSBN) requires: mandatory topics, exemptions, accepted credit types, and documentation rules.

Updated April 2026Sourced from KSBN(~4 min read

Reviewed by Doug Doehrman, MD · Last reviewed April 25, 2026

Mandatory topics

Kansas has no state-mandated topic requirements beyond the 30-hour total.

Atlas CME tracks each of these mandatory topics against your Kansas cycle automatically. Start tracking free →
Accepted credit

Credit must come from an organization accredited by the ACCME, AMA, Kansas Medical Association, or AAFP. ACGME residency or fellowship time accrues toward the requirement. Teaching or presenting accredited CME can satisfy a portion of required hours.

Credit systemNotes
ANCC Contact Hour
1 CNE contact hour = 50 minutes (not 60 minutes — Kansas uses a 50-minute contact hour standard). ANCC-accredited CE and CE from state boards of nursing, national nursing credentialing associations, and KSBN-approved providers accepted.SourceK.A.R. 60-9-106[1]
Board-approved credit
KSBN-approved providers, state boards of nursing, national nursing credentialing associations, and Individual Offering Approvals (IOA) pre-approved by KSBN. College courses require IOA approval; 1 college credit hour = 15 CNE contact hours when approved. Do NOT mail CE certificates with renewal application unless specifically selected for audit.SourceK.A.R. 60-9-106(c)[1]
Documentation & audit

CE certificates must include: offering name, provider name, date, contact hours, licensee name, and license number. Retain for at least 21 days after audit notification; audit notification gives 21 days to submit copies.

Waivers & exemptions

Nurses are not required to complete 30 CNE hours if their license expires within 30 months following their initial licensure examination (i.e., first renewal after initial licensing by exam).

Nurses are not required to complete 30 CNE hours if their license expires within the first 9 months following reinstatement or endorsement.

FAQ
What counts as approved CE for Kansas RN renewal?
Kansas accepts CNE from KSBN-approved providers, other state boards of nursing, national nursing credentialing associations, and Individual Offering Approvals (IOAs) pre-approved by KSBN. College courses count at 1 credit hour = 15 CNE contact hours, but require IOA approval in advance. Standardized recertification courses (ACLS, PALS) are capped at 15 contact hours per period. Programs not held by approved providers must receive IOA approval before the nurse completes the course. The Board does not accept CE certificates at routine renewal — only during an audit.
Are there mandatory CE topics for Kansas RN renewal?
No. Kansas does not require CE on specific clinical topics for general RN renewal. The KSBN CNE rules do not mandate topic categories such as opioid prescribing, domestic violence, cultural competency, or other subject areas. Nurses have full discretion in choosing CNE content within the approved provider framework.
Is Kansas in the NLC nursing compact?
Yes. Kansas is a member of the Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC). Eligible Kansas-licensed RNs hold a multistate license permitting practice in all NLC member states. CE and renewal requirements are governed by the nurse's home state. Kansas RNs residing in Kansas must complete 30 CNE hours biennially with KSBN as the renewal authority.
Where can I check my Kansas RN license renewal date?
Kansas RN license information and renewal resources are available through the Kansas State Board of Nursing at https://ksbn.kansas.gov. The KSBN CNE requirements page at https://ksbn.kansas.gov/cnes/ provides provider approval lists, IOA request forms, and documentation guidance. Audit notifications are sent by mail; nurses have 21 days to respond with CE documentation if selected.

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Sources & Citations

Every mandatory topic and conditional requirement above cites the underlying statute or rule. Numbered references below correspond to the bracketed citations next to each requirement.

  1. Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-23