Kansas made history in 1957 when it established the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts. This action combined three previous state agencies: the Board of Medical Registration and Examination (founded in 1901), the Board of Osteopathic Examination and Registration (formed in 1913), and the Board of Chiropractic Examinations (also established in 1913). What makes the Kansas Board stand out, even today, is its unique structure. It is one of the few boards in the United States which unifies medical, osteopathic, and chiropractic professionals into a single governing organization.
The board itself is heterogeneous, with 15 members: five MDs, three DOs, three chiropractic doctors, one podiatric doctor, and three non-professionals from the public. In addition, Professional Councils have been established for each licensed healthcare profession to assist the board in properly administering their separate practice statutes.
The Kansas State Board of Healing Arts licenses and regulates 16 healthcare professions. Those health care professions include:
Aside from licensing, the board approves business names and validates the professional licenses required to form some professional corporations. It should be noted, however, that the board’s jurisdiction does not extend to institutions such as hospitals or nursing homes, nor does it include other medical professionals including nurses or optometrists.
The Kansas State Board of Healing Arts provides a simplified online licensure procedure to both current licensees as well as new applicants. This system allows you to access or set up personal account, verify registration status, locate user ID, and reset password.
If you want to apply for a medical license, you must meet the qualifying conditions established by the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts. The application procedure differs according on license type. Physicians must submit an online application, upload their medical school and training credentials, and give proof of their examination scores. Similarly, Physician Assistants (PAs) and nurses must submit an application along with proof of their education, training, and any qualifications or current licenses from other states.
There are several licensing kinds designed to meet the varying demands of healthcare practitioners. Here’s an overview to explore the details:
Physicians and surgeons. Required to conduct continuing education, have professional liability insurance, and comply with the Kansas Health Care Stabilization Fund.
This category includes professionals who are not actively practicing the healing arts and do not promote themselves to the public as such. Such persons are exempt from continuing education requirements, professional liability insurance, and Kansas Health Care Stabilization Fund compliance.
This license suits those not regularly practicing the healing arts but still holding certain privileges within their field. They can serve as coroners, local health department employees, or providers for charitable indigent clinics, and perform administrative functions, without the requirements for continuing education or professional liability insurance.
Designed for employees of the United States government or its agencies, as well as those who perform charitable healthcare services. These licensees have to finish continuing education but are not required to carry insurance for professional liability or report to the Kansas Health Care Stabilization Fund.
For individuals reentering active medical practice under an approved plan, this license requires completion of continuing education, maintaining professional liability insurance, and compliance with the Kansas Health Care Stabilization Fund.
Issued to those under contract with the University of Kansas Medical Center or its affiliated foundations for patient care and clinical teaching, excluding full-time faculty. Holders must have professional liability insurance per Kansas law.
This temporary license is for professionals licensed in other jurisdictions who are employed by the University of Kansas School of Medicine or a licensed medical facility engaged in education. It is valid only for the duration of the employment and strictly for required medical practice.
Active duty military personnel and reservists are entitled to a license that remains valid without renewal fees or continuing education during and six months post-service. Post-discharge, they have six months to renew their license without penalties but must fulfill continuing education within a year of renewal.
Issued to applicants meeting the licensure qualifications and who have paid the necessary fees, this permit allows them to practice until a full license is granted or denied.
This permit is for those in their postgraduate training and does not authorize private practice outside of this training context.
For individuals not previously licensed in Kansas, providing services only as charitable healthcare providers. This permit can be renewed annually.
Granted to those with relevant degrees and licenses from other regions who are enrolled in continuing medical education programs in Kansas. This license is valid only during the educational program and requires professional liability insurance.
For employees of certain state departments or institutions, allowing them to provide mental health services. This license is valid for two years and involves continuous education and insurance for professional liability.
For graduates not yet in full-time postgraduate training, allowing practice under supervision without patient fees. It expires once the holder commences a full-time training program or after one year.
When seeking an initial license to practice medicine and surgery in Kansas, there are several key requirements you must meet. These include continued medical practice, continuing education, professional liability insurance, and compliance with the Kansas Health Care Stabilization Fund.
Application Process Details: During the process of applying, you will be required to supply extensive information such as:
Eligibility for Licensure: To qualify for licensing via examination, you must complete the following requirements:
Postgraduate Training Requirements: The postgraduate training requirements vary based on when and where you graduated:
Every medical professional has its own path and dedicated requirements. Kansas nursing licensing requirements, for example, differ based on whether you want to be a registered nurse, a licensed practical nurse, or an advanced registered nurse.
In Kansas, there are now 1,600 licensed Physician Assistants (PAs), who all work under the supervision and delegation of a supervising physician. PAs in Kansas work in a dependent capacity, providing medical services that are within their area of education, training, and expertise, as permitted by their supervising physician. This may include a range of duties defined through delegated authority or a written agreement with their supervising physician.
Some of the general requirements for obtaining a Kansas PA license are:
Obtaining a medical license in Kansas requires numerous specific stages to guarantee that all candidates fulfill the state’s rigorous criteria for healthcare practitioners. Here’s an outline to help you go through the procedure smoothly:
1. Completing the Kansas Licensure Application
Start by thoroughly reviewing the application instructions. This step is crucial for the successful submission of your application. Remember, any omissions can cause delays in processing. It’s advisable to keep copies of all documents submitted for your records. The application will require you to provide a complete account of your activities since graduating from medical school, including any malpractice liability claims.
2. Federation Credentials Verification Service (FCVS)
Kansas accepts the use of the FCVS, which compiles a permanent profile of verified documents such as your identity, medical education, and postgraduate training. This profile can be updated and sent to different boards as needed, simplifying the verification process. Even if you use FCVS, you must still complete the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts Uniform Application (UA) and submit additional required documents directly to the board.
Verification requirements include:
3. AMA and AOIA Profile Reports
MD candidates should request an AMA report from the American Medical Association. DO candidates need to get an AOIA report from the American Osteopathic Information Association. These reports provide comprehensive professional profiles needed for your application.
4. Criminal Background Report
All candidates must provide fingerprints for both state and national criminal background checks. This method entails filling out a Waiver Agreement and Statement form and submitting it with a $47.00 fee. Prioritize this step as processing your fingerprints may delay your application.
5. Application Fee
The total cost for applying includes a $300 application fee, a $47 background check fee, and a $3 fee for a National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) report, adding up to $350. This fee is non-refundable and covers the costs of processing your application, including the NPDB report, which the Board staff will run directly. Payment can be made via check, money order, certified check, or credit/debit card using the provided authorization form.
Providers based outside of Kansas can seek a telemedicine waiver from the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts. As of 2024, the Board has approved 284 telemedicine exemptions, indicating the rising popularity and need for remote healthcare services. The Kansas State Board of Healing Arts is devoted to expediency, aiming to provide exemptions within 15 days after receiving a full application, allowing you to begin offering telemedicine services as quickly as feasible.
To be eligible for a waiver, healthcare professionals must have a full, active, and unrestricted license in another state, or fulfill the standards necessary by Kansas law to practice their profession. Another important factor is to not to be under investigation or subject to disciplinary actions by any licensing agency.
Steps to Obtain a Telemedicine Waiver:
The Board assigns a specified expiry date to each waiver. To renew your waiver yearly, you must pay a renewal fee of up to $100 and show current documentation that you satisfy all of the essential conditions.
When treating patients remotely, doctors must undertake a comprehensive examination and evaluation of their condition. To maintain a high quality of service, any prescriptions provided must be documented with medical justifications.
For physicians licensed in other states who provide consultation services to Kansas-licensed physicians via remote technology, there are no limitations. This flexibility enhances collaborative care and access to specialized knowledge.
The Licensing Department at KSBHA handles all aspects of license processing, maintenance, and verification for over 28,000 licensees. Once all required information for a license application is received, the actual issuance of the license typically takes less than a week, provided there are no complications such as ‘red flags’ that might warrant additional review.
After submitting your application, expect to wait at least two weeks to receive a notification from the Board. The most significant delays usually occur while waiting for third-party documents to arrive. If your application needs to be sent for legal review, anticipate additional waiting time, as this can further extend the process.
Altogether, the Kansas medical licensing process typically spans twelve to sixteen weeks. To ensure timely processing, the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts (KSBHA) strongly recommends applying at least two to three months before graduation or the start of your employment.
The Kansas State Board of Healing Arts collects the following fees associated with various licensing applications and services:
The renewal process consists of completing an online application and submitting the appropriate renewal charge. Fees vary based on the kind of license and the manner of renewal.
Physician license: The annual renewal charge is $400 if using a form and $330 if utilizing the online service. The late renewal cost is $200 if using a form and $70 if utilizing the online service.
PA license: The annual renewal fee is $150 if using a form or the online service. The late renewal fee is an additional $65 if using a form, or $58 if using the online service.
Nurse license: The biannual renewal price is $75 if using a form and $50 if utilizing the online service. The late renewal cost is $50 if using a form and $25 if utilizing the internet service.
Physicians must complete at least 50 CME hours each year, including 20 hours of Category 1 credit. They can renew their licenses every one, two, or three years and must complete the needed CME for each year since the previous renewal. Physicians must also complete at least one or two hours (1 hour for each year of chosen continuing education cycle) on the topics of acute or chronic pain management; the appropriate prescribing of opioids; or, the use of prescription drug monitoring programs, every renewal period.
PAs are required to renew their license annually and complete 50 hours of CME on a two-year basis, including 10 hours of Category 1 credit. PAs must also undergo at least one hour of training on acute or chronic pain management, responsible opioid prescribing, or the use of prescription drug monitoring systems each renewal cycle.
Nurses must renew their licenses every two years and complete 30 hours of continuing medical education (CME), including two hours of Category 1 credit relating to the Nurse Practice Act.
There are various resources available to assist you verify a medical license in Kansas, including up-to-date information regarding current and previous licensees under the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts. This comprises physicians (MDs and DOs), physician assistants, nurses, and other healthcare professionals overseen by the board.
Verification Resources:
Please note, while KSBHA directly maintains some listings, others are updated by different agencies. Therefore, if you are looking for the most recent board actions or updates, the KSBHA’s Board Actions listings should be your primary source due to their immediacy and reliability.
Kansas is a member of the IMLC compact, which allows physicians who meet certain criteria to obtain an expedited license in Kansas and other member states. Another alternative is to get a temporary license. It can be granted to physicians and physician assistants who complete all licensure criteria except the examination. The temporary license is valid for six months, or until the exam results are received. The charge is $100 for physicians and $50 for physician assistants.
The KSBHA may provide a special events permit to physicians that are licensed in another state or nation who are asked to participate in a special event in Kansas which involves teaching, demonstrating, or practicing innovative methods or procedures. The special events permit is valid for thirty days and can be renewed once. The special events permit charge is $100.
MedicalLicensing.com can guide you through the Kansas medical licensure procedure, whether you are a US or international graduate. Our skilled staff will handle the whole procedure for you, including eligibility checks and professional background investigation, as well as application completion and submission of all essential credentials. Using our services, you will be allocated a license professional who will offer progress updates and thorough instructions throughout the procedure.
One significant advantage of utilizing MedicalLicensing.com is that there are no hidden costs or charges. We provide clear pricing so you know what to anticipate. Our team understands the Kansas medical licensure regulations and can ensure that your application is handled correctly and effectively.
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