How to Get Your LPN License in Kansas (2026)

## How to Become a Licensed Practical Nurse in Kansas Kansas offers practical nurses a broad range of practice environments — from academic medical centers and Level I trauma hospitals in Kansas City and Wichita to rural critical access hospitals and behavioral health facilities serving frontier communities across the High Plains. The state's eNLC membership and consistent LPN workforce demand make it an attractive state for licensure. ### Step 1: Complete an Accredited Practical Nursing Program Kansas practical nursing programs are available at Wichita Area Technical College, Dodge City Community College, Barton County Community College, Allen Community College, and several other institutions statewide. Programs run 12 to 18 months and must be approved by the Kansas State Board of Nursing or accredited by ACEN. Curriculum covers pharmacology, fundamentals of nursing, medical-surgical care, geriatrics, mental health nursing, and clinical hours in area hospitals, SNFs, and clinics. ### Step 2: Pass the NCLEX-PN Exam Pearson VUE testing centers in Wichita, Kansas City (Overland Park/Lenexa), and Salina administer the NCLEX-PN. Key details: - **Format:** CAT — 85 to 150 questions - **Fee:** approximately $200 - **Time limit:** 6 hours - **Scheduling:** Register through Pearson VUE after Kansas Board authorization Quick Results are available within 48 hours. The Kansas State Board of Nursing also posts licensure status online within a few days of passing. ### Step 3: Apply for Your Kansas LPN License Submit your application to the **Kansas State Board of Nursing** (ksbn.ks.gov). Requirements: - Completed application and fee (approximately $50–$75) - Official transcripts from a Kansas-approved nursing program - Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and FBI background check (fingerprint-based) - NCLEX-PN scores transmitted directly from Pearson VUE Endorsement applicants can apply with verification of current licensure in good standing from another state. Processing runs approximately 4–8 weeks. ### eNLC Compact Membership Kansas is a member of the **enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC)**. Your Kansas LPN license is a multistate license valid in all 40+ member states. This is valuable for Kansas nurses working near state borders — the Kansas City metro spans Kansas and Missouri (compact), and many nurses hold jobs on both sides. Colorado (non-compact) is adjacent but most other surrounding states — Nebraska (compact), Oklahoma (compact), and Missouri (compact) — are covered. Primary Kansas residency is required. ### Continuing Education Requirements Kansas requires **30 contact hours of continuing education every 2 years** for LPN renewal. There is no mandatory topic requirement beyond general nursing content. CE courses available through ANA-approved online providers, Kansas Nurse Association programs, and hospital continuing education departments. Renewal fees are approximately $50–$75. ### Kansas LPN Salary Ranges Kansas LPNs typically earn between **$38,000 and $56,000 annually**. Wichita and Kansas City suburbs pay above the statewide average; western Kansas markets pay less but carry significantly lower housing costs. Ranges by setting: - **Skilled nursing facilities:** $38,000–$50,000 - **Home health:** $40,000–$52,000 - **Hospital inpatient:** $40,000–$54,000 - **Correctional/behavioral health:** $42,000–$56,000 - **Physician offices:** $36,000–$46,000 Rural mental health facilities across western and central Kansas are an underappreciated LPN employer. Kansas has invested in community mental health centers (CMHCs) statewide, and many CMHCs use LPNs in medication management, case management support, and crisis triage roles. ### Top Employers for LPNs in Kansas - **University of Kansas Health System** — flagship academic medical center in Kansas City (Westwood) with inpatient, clinic, and specialty LPN roles - **Stormont Vail Health** — Topeka-based system serving north-central Kansas with hospital and outpatient LPN positions - **Via Christi Health (Ascension)** — Wichita-based system with multiple hospitals and a large ambulatory network - **Wichita VA Medical Center** — federal employer offering competitive pay and benefits for veteran-care LPN roles - **Dillon Family Health / Kansas primary care network** — rural FQHC and primary care clinics across western Kansas - **Prairie View / Heartland Community Health** — Kansas CMHCs with ongoing LPN hiring for behavioral health settings - **Genesis Health Ventures / Midwest Health SNF chains** — multiple skilled nursing facilities across Wichita, Topeka, and rural Kansas Kansas's correctional system — the Kansas Department of Corrections operates 10 facilities — is also a substantial LPN employer, with positions at El Dorado Correctional Facility, Hutchinson Correctional Facility, and other sites offering state benefits and schedule stability.