§ 65-1116 — Licensure of practical nurses; qualifications of applicants; examination; refresher course; renewal license; title and abbreviation; temporary permit; exempt license

(a) Qualification. An applicant for a license to practice as a licensed practical nurse shall:
(1) Have graduated from an approved school of practical nursing or professional nursing in the United States or its territories or from a school of practical nursing or professional nursing in a foreign country that is approved by the board as defined in rules and regulations;
(2) have obtained other qualifications not in conflict with this act as the board may prescribe by rule and regulation; and
(3) file with the board a written application for a license.
(b) If the board finds in evaluating any applicant that such applicant is deficient in qualification or in the quality of such applicant's educational experience, the board may require such applicant to fulfill such remedial or other requirements as the board may prescribe.
(c) License. (1) The board shall issue a license to an applicant to practice as a practical nurse who has:
(A) Met the qualifications set forth in subsections (a) and (b);
(B) passed a written examination as prescribed by the board; and
(C) no disqualifying factors under K.S.A. 65-1120, and amendments thereto.
(2) The board may issue a license to practice nursing as a practical nurse to an applicant who has been duly licensed as a practical nurse by examination under the laws of another state or territory if, in the opinion of the board, the applicant meets the qualifications required of a practical nurse in this state. Verification of the applicant's licensure status shall be required from the original state of licensure.
(3) The board may authorize the educational requirement under subsection (a)(1) to be waived for an applicant who has attained a passing score on the national council licensure examination for practical nurses and provided evidence to the board of such applicant's practical nursing experience during a period of active service as a member of the armed forces. To qualify for such a waiver, the applicant shall have been a member or is a current member of the army, navy, marine corps, air force, space force, air or army national guard of any of the several states and territories, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia, coast guard or any component of the military reserves of the United States and separated from such period of active service with an honorable discharge. Current members of the armed forces are presumed to be serving honorably. If such applicant was separated from such period of active service with a general discharge under honorable conditions and meets the requirements of this paragraph, the board may authorize the educational requirements under subsection (a)(1) be waived.
(4) Refresher course. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (a) and (b), an applicant for a license to practice as a licensed practical nurse who has not been licensed to practice practical nursing for five years preceding application shall be required to successfully complete a refresher course as defined by the board.
(5) Renewal license. A licensed practical nurse licensed under this act shall be eligible for renewal licenses upon compliance with K.S.A. 65-1117, and amendments thereto.
(6) Licensure examination within 24 months of graduation. (A) Persons who do not take the licensure examination within 24 months after graduation shall petition the board for permission prior to taking the licensure examination. The board may require the applicant to submit and complete a plan of study prior to taking the licensure examination.
(B) Persons who are unsuccessful in passing the licensure examination within 24 months after graduation shall petition the board for permission prior to subsequent attempts. The board may require the applicant to submit and complete a plan of study prior to taking the licensure examination a subsequent time. The study plan shall contain subjects related to deficiencies identified on the failed examination profiles.
(7) An application for initial licensure or endorsement will be held awaiting completion of meeting qualifications for a time period specified in rules and regulations.
(d) Title and abbreviation. Any person who holds a license to practice as a licensed practical nurse in this state shall have the right to use the title, "licensed practical nurse," and the abbreviation, "L.P.N." No other person shall assume the title or use the abbreviation or any other words, letters, signs or figures to indicate that the person is a licensed practical nurse.
(e) Temporary permit. The board may issue a temporary permit to practice nursing as a licensed practical nurse for a period not to exceed 120 days. A temporary permit for 120 days may be issued to an applicant for licensure as a licensed practical nurse who is a graduate of a practical school of nursing in a foreign country after verification of licensure in that foreign country and approval of educational credentials.
(f) Exempt license. The board may issue an exempt license to any licensee as defined in rules and regulations who makes written application for such license on a form provided by the board, who remits a fee as established pursuant to K.S.A. 65-1118, and amendments thereto, and who is not regularly engaged in the practice of practical nursing in Kansas but volunteers practical nursing service or is a charitable health care provider as defined by K.S.A. 75-6102, and amendments thereto. Each exempt licensee shall be subject to all provisions of the nurse practice act, except as otherwise provided in this subsection. Each exempt license may be renewed biennially subject to the provisions of this section. The holder of the exempt license shall not be required to submit evidence of satisfactory completion of a program of continuing nursing education for renewal. To convert an exempt license to an active license, the exempt licensee shall meet all the requirements of subsection (c) or K.S.A. 65-1117, and amendments thereto. The board shall have authority to write rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this section.

Legislative History

L. 1949, ch. 331, § 5; L. 1963, ch. 314, § 3; L. 1968, ch. 231, § 2; L. 1975, ch. 316, § 4; L. 1982, ch. 261, § 2; L. 1983, ch. 207, § 2; L. 1986, ch. 233, § 2; L. 1990, ch. 221, § 2; L. 1992, ch. 151, § 2; L. 1993, ch. 194, § 10; L. 1994, ch. 149, § 2; L. 1997, ch. 158, § 2; L. 1999, ch. 84, § 2; L. 2001, ch. 161, § 2; L. 2009, ch. 81, § 2; L. 2013, ch. 95, § 3; L. 2024, ch. 84, § 18; July 1.