Healthcare Resource
Kansas CRNA License 2026: APRN Requirements, Full Practice Authority, Salary
In brief
How to get your CRNA license in Kansas 2026. Kansas State Board of Nursing APRN process, full practice authority since 2014, and CRNA salary data for Wichita, Kansas City metro, and Topeka.
Steps at a glance
Complete CRNA program and obtain NBCRNA certification
Graduate from a COA-accredited nurse anesthesia program and pass the NBCRNA NCE. Kansas requires current CRNA national certification for APRN licensure.
Hold or obtain Kansas RN license
Kansas is an NLC compact member. CRNAs with a multistate compact license may practice in Kansas. If your primary state is non-compact, apply for Kansas RN licensure by endorsement through the Kansas State Board of Nursing.
Submit Kansas State Board of Nursing APRN application
Apply online at ksbn.kansas.gov. Submit CRNA certification, RN license verification, anesthesia program documentation, and the $75 APRN application fee. Kansas has one of the lowest APRN license fees in the country.
Practice independently, full practice authority since 2014
Kansas adopted full practice authority for APRNs including CRNAs in 2014. No physician supervision or collaboration agreement is required by state law. Kansas has opted out of the federal Medicare CRNA supervision requirement.
In this article
Kansas has had full practice authority for all APRNs including CRNAs since 2014, making it one of the earlier Midwestern states to adopt CRNA independence. No physician supervision or collaborative agreement is required, and Kansas has opted out of the federal Medicare supervision requirement. Wichita is the dominant urban CRNA market; the Kansas City metro (including Kansas-side suburban hospitals) is also strong. Rural Western Kansas has persistent CRNA shortages similar to neighboring states.
Practice Model
- Full Practice Authority adopted 2014, no supervision or collaboration agreement required
- Kansas has opted out of federal Medicare CRNA supervision requirement
- ACT model: University of Kansas Health System (Kansas City), Wesley Medical Center (Wichita)
- CRNA-independent model: Ascension Via Christi, Stormont Vail Health, rural CAH facilities across Kansas
- Western Kansas relies entirely on CRNA-only anesthesia; the area has some of the most pronounced rural shortages in the Great Plains
Application Requirements
- Active Kansas RN license (compact or KS-issued)
- Current NBCRNA certification
- Official nurse anesthesia program documentation
- Completed ksbn.kansas.gov application + $75 fee (one of the lowest in the country)
- Criminal background check
Processing Timeline
Kansas State Board of Nursing processes APRN applications in 4-8 weeks from complete submission. Kansas is among the fastest-processing states for APRN credentials; the low application fee reflects the Board's efficient, low-overhead process.
CRNA Salary in Kansas (2026)
| Market | Avg CRNA Salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wichita | $185,000-$215,000 | Wesley Medical, Ascension Via Christi, Kansas Surgery Center |
| Kansas City (KS side) | $188,000-$218,000 | University of Kansas Health System, Providence Medical; KCMO border market |
| Topeka | $182,000-$208,000 | Stormont Vail Health, St. Francis Health; state capital |
| Manhattan / Junction City | $182,000-$208,000 | Ascension Via Christi Manhattan; Fort Riley military community |
| Rural / Western Kansas | $192,000-$228,000 | CAH facilities; CRNA-only; $25K-$50K signing bonuses for critical shortage areas |
Top Employers in Kansas
- University of Kansas Health System, Kansas City area; academic ACT model; CRNA residency program
- Ascension Via Christi, Wichita + statewide; Catholic health system; CRNA-independent at most sites
- Stormont Vail Health, Topeka; regional health system; CRNA-independent model
- Wesley Medical Center (HCA), Wichita; Level II trauma; CRNA-intensive surgical volumes
- Kansas Surgery and Recovery Center, Wichita; ambulatory surgical center; CRNA-only model
What We See at Ava Health
Kansas offers some of the best CRNA purchasing power in the nation. Salaries in the $182K-$215K range against housing costs that are 45-55% below coastal markets mean Kansas CRNAs consistently achieve higher real living standards than peers in California or New York. Western Kansas (Dodge City, Garden City, Liberal) has among the highest CRNA vacancy rates in the Great Plains, hospitals in these communities have offered signing bonuses of $40,000-$60,000 to fill persistent vacancies. The border-KC market benefits from KUHS's academic premium while retaining Kansas's lower tax and housing costs.
Related: CRNA Salary by State 2026, NP License Kansas 2026, CRNA License Iowa 2026.
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