Key Takeaway: Kansas became a Full Practice Authority state in 2022, with no collaborative agreement and no transition period. Add full Schedule II-V prescribing, 30 CE hrs biennially, HRSA-designated mental health shortage areas across much of the state, and a state loan repayment program run by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, and Kansas is one of the strongest FPA states for PMHNPs. See current advertised pay for PMHNPs in the Kansas salary guide.
Kansas is an excellent destination for PMHNPs seeking professional autonomy and competitive compensation. In 2022, Kansas modernized its nursing laws to become a Full Practice Authority state, allowing APRNs to practice without a collaborative agreement.
However, Kansas still faces a severe behavioral health shortage, with much of the state designated by HRSA as a Mental Health Professional Shortage Area. Here is your complete guide to obtaining your PMHNP license in the Sunflower State for 2026.
Quick Reference Table
| Category | Kansas PMHNP Details |
|---|---|
| Practice Authority Type | Full Practice Authority (since 2022) |
| Governing Board | Kansas Board of Nursing |
| Initial License Fee | See steps below |
| Renewal Period & Fee | Every 2 years |
| CE Hours Required | 30 hrs every 2 years |
| NLC Compact State? | ✅ Yes |
| APRN Compact? | No (HB 2266 did not pass) |
| Average PMHNP Salary | See current advertised pay in Kansas |
| Prescriptive Authority | Yes, Full Independent (Schedule II-V) |
Step-by-Step Licensure Guide
Kansas is an NLC state. Check current processing times with the Kansas Board of Nursing before you set a start date.
Step 1: Complete MSN or DNP with PMHNP Focus
Graduate from an accredited advanced practice program. Kansas requires at least 3 college hours of advanced pharmacology (or the equivalent) of APRN applicants who completed their program after January 1, 1997.
Step 2: Pass the ANCC PMHNP-BC Exam
Maintain active national certification. The ANCC sets the exam fee, and discounts it for members of the ANA and AANP:
| Membership Status | Exam Fee |
|---|---|
| Non-member | $395 |
| ANA member | $295 |
| AANP member | $340 |
Verify the current fee with the ANCC before you register.
Learn more about the PMHNP-BC credential
Step 3: Apply for Your KS RN License
Kansas is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state. If your primary state of residence is another NLC state, your multistate RN license covers you here.
Step 4: Apply for KS APRN License
Submit your APRN application to the Kansas Board of Nursing.
Step 5: Obtain Prescriptive Authority
Because Kansas is FPA, prescriptive authority for non-scheduled and controlled substances is granted upon licensure, with no collaborative agreement needed.
Step 6: Register with the DEA
Apply for your federal DEA registration using your Kansas practice address.
- Fee: the DEA charges $888 for a three-year registration. Verify the current amount with the DEA before you apply.
Step 7: Apply for an NPI Number
Obtain your National Provider Identifier (NPI) via the CMS NPPES system (Free).
KS Practice Authority Details
Current status: Kansas is a Full Practice Authority state (since 2022).PMHNPs can evaluate patients, diagnose, and prescribe medications entirely independently, with no collaborative agreement required.
Day-to-day impact: While you enjoy complete clinical independence, Kansas's do-not-resuscitate law defines a DNR order as an instruction from the responsible physician or physician assistant (K.S.A. 65-4941), so NPs cannot sign DNR orders. Coordinate with a physician or physician assistant for this specific documentation.
Prescriptive Authority in KS
What can PMHNPs prescribe?PMHNPs can prescribe medications and therapeutic measures without a collaborative agreement.
Schedule II-V rules:Full independent prescribing of Schedule II through V controlled substances.
Requirements:- Active federal DEA registration
- 3 college hours of advanced pharmacology (or the equivalent) in your APRN program
Telehealth Rules in KS
Can PMHNPs do telehealth?Yes. Kansas reimburses for live video telehealth and recognizes the patient's home as an eligible originating site.
Out-of-state requirements:Kansas is an NLC member, but the NLC covers RN practice only. The APRN Compact is not enacted in Kansas (HB 2266 did not pass), so out-of-state PMHNPs must hold an active Kansas APRN license.
Controlled substance teleprescribing:Under the DEA's temporary telemedicine rule, DEA-registered practitioners can prescribe Schedule II to V controlled substances by telemedicine without a prior in-person evaluation through December 31, 2026. Kansas law still applies. Medicare's separate telehealth flexibilities run through December 31, 2027.
Browse telehealth PMHNP jobs or remote positionsSalary & Job Market
Average Salary
Kansas pay is best read from live listings: see the median advertised pay for PMHNPs in the Kansas salary guide, calculated from open roles on this site. For a national anchor, the BLS reports a median of $132,300 for nurse practitioners (BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Nurse Practitioners, May 2025), a figure that covers all NP specialties rather than PMHNPs specifically.
See our full 2026 PMHNP Salary Guide for national comparisonsMain PMHNP Markets
- Wichita: largest city, Ascension Via Christi hub
- Overland Park: KC metro
- Kansas City KS: University of Kansas Health System
- Topeka: state capital, Stormont Vail hub
- Lawrence: university town demand
Demand Data
| Metric | Kansas Data |
|---|---|
| Mental health HPSA designations | 118, covering about 1.2 million people |
| Share of need met in designated shortage areas | Only 19.89% |
| Additional practitioners needed | 52 to remove the shortage designations |
Major Employers
- University of Kansas Health System: Kansas City academic powerhouse
- Ascension Via Christi: Wichita dominant
- Stormont Vail Health: Topeka flagship
- VA Health System: Wichita, Topeka and Leavenworth
- Community mental health centers: statewide
Loan Repayment & Incentive Programs
Practicing in Kansas's shortage areas unlocks loan forgiveness:
| Program | Award Amount | Service Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas State Loan Repayment Program (SLRP) | Set by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment each funding cycle | Typically 2 years in underserved area |
| NHSC SUD Workforce LRP | Up to $75,000 | 3 years full-time at an NHSC-approved SUD facility |
| NHSC Rural Community LRP | Up to $100,000 | 3 years full-time at a rural NHSC-approved facility |
The NHSC maxima are set by the federal National Health Service Corps; the SLRP pool is set by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Both change between funding cycles, so verify the current amount with the awarding body before you apply.
Tips for PMHNPs Moving to KS
- Enjoy Full Independence: Kansas FPA means no collaborative agreement, so you can evaluate, diagnose, and treat without physician oversight from day one.
- Know Your Signature Limits: Despite FPA, Kansas law prohibits NPs from signing DNR orders. Coordinate with physicians for this documentation.
- Monitor the APRN Compact: Kansas has not enacted it (HB 2266 did not pass), and the compact is not operational: it takes effect only once seven states enact it, and NCSBN said in April 2026 that it is redesigning it. For now, plan on a separate APRN license in each state where your patients are located.
- Track Your CEs: Complete 30 CE hours every two years. Keep certificates organized for potential Board audits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Kansas a Full Practice Authority state for PMHNPs?A: Yes. Since 2022, PMHNPs can evaluate, diagnose, and prescribe without a collaborative agreement.
Q: Can PMHNPs in Kansas prescribe Schedule II controlled substances?A: Yes, with full independence. Just maintain an active DEA registration.
Q: Is Kansas part of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC)?A: Yes, for RNs. The APRN Compact is not enacted in Kansas (HB 2266 did not pass), so you need a Kansas APRN license.
Q: What are the CE requirements to renew my KS PMHNP license?A: Complete 30 CE hours every two years.
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Browse Kansas PMHNP positions | All PMHNP jobs | 2026 Salary Guide